Government programs & grants 🏛️
Money and help your taxes already paid for. Official links only — applying is always free.
Two rules that protect you: (1) Applying for government benefits is always free — never pay anyone who promises to "get you a grant." (2) There are no secret "free government money" personal grants; real help comes through the named programs below. Programs change — the official link always wins.
🧭 Just laid off or fired? File for unemployment right away. Unemployment insurance is money you may be owed after losing a job through no fault of your own — even if you were let go, hours were cut, or the business closed. Apply as soon as you can (benefits usually start from when you file), file online if possible, and keep filing your weekly/biweekly claims while you wait. Applying is always free.
📞 Apply for unemployment — your state
- Pennsylvania (PA Dept. of Labor & Industry): apply at pa.gov unemployment · UC Service Center 888-313-7284 (Mon–Fri).
- New Jersey (NJ Dept. of Labor): apply at myunemployment.nj.gov · Reemployment Call Centers — North 973-648-7601 · Central 609-292-6800 · South 856-614-3801.
- Maryland (MD Dept. of Labor — BEACON): apply at beacon.labor.maryland.gov · claims agents 667-207-6520 · 24/7 automated 800-827-4839.
- Delaware (DE Dept. of Labor): apply at labor.delaware.gov · UI Division 302-761-8446 · info hotline 800-794-3032.
What to have ready: your Social Security number, last employer's name/address/dates worked, and reason the job ended. Enter it only on the official state site above — we never collect it. Stuck or denied? Your elected officials' constituent-services office (below) can push it through or help you appeal.
🎓 Paying for college & student aid
Going to college, or already enrolled? Our companion site College Money Map maps every college in PA, NJ, DE, MD, VA & NY plus grants, FAFSA help, loan forgiveness, and money offices — all free. It also lists fraternities, sororities & their scholarship foundations (including the NPHC "Divine Nine") that fund students. Start free money with the FAFSA — it's free.
Start here: the finders
- USA.gov Benefit Finder — answer a few questions, see every federal program you may qualify for: usa.gov/benefit-finder
- 211 — the human version: dial 211 and ask "what programs am I eligible for?" 211.org
- Disaster declared in your county? DisasterAssistance.gov bundles FEMA grants and more.
Your state's one-stop application portal
- Pennsylvania — COMPASS: SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, childcare & more in one application: compass.dhs.pa.gov
- New Jersey — NJHelps / DCAid: njhelps.org · housing/energy: dcaid.dca.nj.gov
- Maryland — myMDTHINK: mymdthink.maryland.gov
- Delaware — ASSIST: assist.dhss.delaware.gov
Money most people miss: tax credits
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) — worth thousands for working families; huge share goes unclaimed: irs.gov EITC
- Child Tax Credit and free tax filing help (VITA, for most working households): find free VITA tax prep
- PA/NJ/MD/DE each add their own credits — the free VITA preparer knows them all.
Your elected officials will personally help (really)
Every state representative, state senator, council member, and mayor runs a constituent services office whose whole job is cutting red tape for you — stuck benefits applications, LIHEAP problems, unemployment appeals, housing agencies that won't call back. It's free, and they answer because you're a voter.
- Find your PA rep & senator: palegis.us/find-my-legislator
- Find your NJ legislators: njleg.state.nj.us
- Find your MD legislators: mgaleg.maryland.gov
- Find your DE legislators: legis.delaware.gov
- City programs: Philadelphia programs A–Z · Baltimore City — and dial 311 in either city.
The script: "Hi, I'm a constituent in [town/ZIP]. I applied for [program] on [date] and it's stuck / I was denied and don't understand why. Can your office help?" Then give them your case number. That's it — they take it from there.
Weekly-updated: what's new
We check state and city announcements weekly and post new or reopened programs on this site's community board and listings. Spot one first? Tell us through the site's add/correct form and we'll publish it for everyone.