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.
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.