1,000 Hurricane Relief Programs FEMA Doesn’t Know About

Rockville, Md…..The folks at FEMA are working hard to make sure Katrina survivors know how to apply for the $100 plus billion in new American Benefits that is likely to be passed by the Congress.  But it is next to impossible for any one agency to know about the hundreds of other programs, that have long existed in other agencies, that give out an additional $1 trillion a year and can also be used to help people in troubled times.

Studies show, that even in good times, there are more than 40 million Americans who are eligible for these benefit programs, but don’t apply because they don’t know where to go.  New York Times Best selling author, Matthew Lesko, who has written over 100 books educating taxpayers about American Benefit Programs, has created a FREE WEBSITE  called AmericanBenefitsForSurvivors.com  This website gives survivors the facts  on over 400 additional American Benefit programs that don’t come from FEMA.  Lesko says.. “America is a wonderful country full of opportunities for people of all incomes who want to improve their lives.  There are thousands of benefits available to help people get better jobs, a better home, a better family, a better community, and even a better lifestyle. For most programs you don’t have to be poor, you just have to know about the programs. By helping yourself, you help America.”

Listed below are 22 benefit programs taken from the over 1,000 described on Lesko’s free website www.AmericanBenefitsForSurvivors.com   For more information contact Matthew Lesko 301-929-8400 or matthew@lesko.com

1) $5,000 Worth of Free Health Care for Kids
There are over 6 million families who are eligible and don’t apply for this program that gives free health care services for kids. Almost every state now has a Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIPS), which extends medical coverage to many children who may not be covered.  In Louisiana contact LACHIP at 1-877-252-2447 or go to http://www.dhh.state.la.us/offices/?ID=119 .  For more information on a national level call 877-KIDS-NOW; 877-543-7669 or go to www.insurekidsnow.gov  
--Income Eligibility Requirements: up to $38,700 for a family of 4

2) $8,000 To Train For A New Job
Those looking for work can apply for money and re-training under the Economic Dislocation and Worker Adjustment Assistance Act. The program is administered by each state, and because of that, the program differs from state to state. Workers can receive classroom, occupational skills, entrepreneur training and/or on-the-job training to qualify for jobs in demand. Basic and remedial education, entrepreneurial training, and instruction in literacy or English-as-a-second-language may be provided. In Louisiana contact the Louisiana State Department of Labor at 225-342-3111 or at http://www.ldol.state.la.us/.  To contact the national office or to find your local one-stop career center in your area contact: Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-5426, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20210; 202-693-3580; One-Stop Career Center Locator at http://www.servicelocator.org/
--Income Eligibility Requirements: Most have no income requirements but must be looking for a job.

3)$10,000 For Down Payment, Closing Costs or Rehabilitation
The American Dream Downpayment Initiative offers grants up to $10,000 to first time single parent home buyers in Louisiana.  Find a local U.S. HUD approved housing counseling agency in your area by calling 1-800-569-4287 or go to http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hccprof14.cfm.  For the national office contact American Dream Downpayment Initiative, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/affordablehousing/programs/home/addi/index.cfm
--Income Eligibility Requirements: up to 80% of median family income, $41,839 for Louisiana, and $50,185 for US. 

4) Up To $10,400/Yr For Seniors
If you are over 65, blind or disabled  and if you have limited income and limited resources be sure to check because you maybe eligible for Supplemental Security Income. Studies show that only about 53% of eligible seniors apply.  This means at least one million seniors are out there who can get the money but don’t know it exists.  And that’s not counting bind and disabled which could double that number.  To apply call 1-800-772-1213 or go to http://www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability .
--Income Eligibility Requirements: $6,300/yr for single, $9,400/yr for couple with many exceptions see  http://www.ssa.gov/notices/supplemental-security-income/text-eligibility-ussi.htm

5) Make $32,000 & Get Free Prescription Drugs
Valium, Prozac, Dilantin are just a few of the medications you can get FREE directly from the drug companies themselves.  That is right, drug companies do not
want everybody to know this, but they will give certain people who can not affort their medications their frugs free of charge if you participate in their "indigent patient programs." Your doctor needs to sign a form stating that you cannot afford the drugs that you need. Once the forms are filled out they are shipped directly to your doctors office.Contact Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, 1100 15th St., NW, Washington, DC 20005; www.helpingpatients.org
--Income Eligibility Requirements: each company has separate requirements, some have no income requirement but you must show a need

6) Up To $10,700/Yr If You Can’t Work Because Of A Disability
You must have worked in a job covered by Social Security and have a medical condition covered by Social Security’s definition of a disability that can keep you out of work for at least one year. To apply 1-800-772-1213 or go to http://www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/adult.htm 
--Income Eligibility Requirements: None, just unable to work

7) $6,000/Yr to Pay For Groceries
Government studies show that over 16 million families are eligible for this money, but are not applying. It is estimated that in cities like Galveston, TX nearly 50% of the people eligible to receive this money are not aware of the program and do not apply. For information on the Food Stamp program in Louisiana contact http://www.dss.state.la.us/departments/ofs/Food_Stamp_Program.html
For the national Food Stamp Program office contact U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, 3101 Park Ctr., Dr., Park Office Center Bldg., Alexandria, VA 22302; 703-305-2276; http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/ 
--Income Eligibility Requirements: $24,516/yr for family of 4

8) Extra $938 For Seniors and Disabled
Each year over 43% of eligible seniors and people with disabilities fail to apply for a little-known program that will give them over $938 extra in their Social Security check. That’s how much the government deducts for Medicare Part B payments. There are three programs: Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries Plan, Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries Plan and Qualified Individual. For Medicare Savings Programs in Louisiana contact 1-888-544-7996 or go to http://www.dhh.state.la.us/offices/?ID=135 .For the national office contact Medicare Hotline at 800-MEDICARE or go to www.medicare.gov  Request information about Medicare Savings Programs by getting the publication, “Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare.”
--Income Eligibility Requirements: up to $12,576/yr for a single and $16,872/yr for a couple

9) 25 Million Seniors and Doctors Are Unaware Of Free Health Services
A government study shows that there are a number of screening and immunizations that are recommended for seniors, but both seniors and doctors are unaware they are covered by Medicare. Nine out of ten seniors visit a doctor once a year but don’t know that Medicare will cover immunizations for Influenza, Hepatitis B, and Pneumococcal, as well as screenings for cervical cancer (pap smear), breast cancer (mammography), vaginal cancer (pelvic exam), colorectal cancer (fecal-occult blood test), colorectal cancer (flexible sigmiodoscopy or colonoscopy), osteoporosis (bone mass measurement), prostate cancer (prostate specific antigen test and/or digital rectal examination), and glaucoma.
---Income Eligibility Requirements: None

10) $1,800 Food Money for Women & Children
Uncle Sam wants women and kids to have healthy food. The Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program’s mission is to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care. WIC foods include iron-fortified infant formula and infant cereal, iron-fortified adult cereal, vitamin C-rich fruit and/or vegetable juice, eggs, milk, cheese, peanut butter, dried beans or peas, tuna fish and carrots.

In addition to the regular WIC program, a majority of the states have chosen to operate the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP), established in 1992, it provides additional coupons to WIC participants that they can use to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets.
In Louisiana contact Louisiana Dept of Health and Hospitals, Office of Public Health http://www.oph.dhh.louisiana.gov/nutrition/wic/    For the national office contact
WIC, www.fns.usda.gov/fns/
--Income Eligibility Requirements: $35,798/Yr for a family of 4

12) Families Receive Cash, Child Care, Transportation, Health Care & Job Training
Under a program called Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), low income families with children are eligible for a full range of cash and services to help them become strong and economically self reliant. In Louisiana contact your local Social Services Office or Louisiana Department of Social Services, 755 Third St., Baton Rouge, LA  70802; 225-342-3950; http://www.dss.state.la.us/departments/ofs/TANF_State_Plan.html 
For the national office contact Administration for Children & Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 370 L’Enfant Promenade, SW, Washington, DC  20201; http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/ofa/
--Income Eligibility Requirements: $9,708/yr for family of 4

13) $657 Million Available in Uncollected Child Support
The government has been very successful at collecting child support money from deadbeat spouses’ tax returns and other sources, but families are not getting this money. The government is sitting on it waiting for custodial parents to call. The government likes this money because it generates over $50 million in interest and income. In Louisiana contact the Louisiana Child Support Enforcement office at the Department of Social Services http://www.dss.state.la.us/. For the national office contact Office of Child Support Enforcement, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC  20447; 202-401-9383;www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cse/  
--Income Eligibility Requirements: None

14) $1,200/Month In Day Care Money While You Look For Work
The Child Care and Development Block Grant gives money to states to help families meet their child care needs. Parents may choose from a variety of child care providers, including center-based, family child care and in-home care, care provided by relatives, and even sectarian child care providers. You can even get money to start a day care center!  In Louisiana contact Louisiana Department of Social Services http://www.dss.state.la.us/departments/ofs/Child_Care_Assistance_Program.html For the National Office contact National Child Care Information Center, 243 Church Street, NW, Vienna, VA 22180; 800-616-2242; http://nccic.org .
--Income Eligibility Requirements: up to$37,080 for a family of 4

15) $2,500 to Pay Your Insulation Bills
As many as 20-30 million people are eligible to receive storm windows, insulation, and even weatherstripping that can help reduce their heating and cooling bills through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance program. Preference is given to persons over 60, those with disabilities and families with children. You must apply through your state weatherization agency. States allocate dollars to nonprofit agencies for purchasing and installing energy-related repairs, with an energy audit being the first step to determine what is necessary. The average grant is $2,500. In Louisiana apply to Louisiana Housing Finance Agency, 2415 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, 225-763-8700, 888-454-2001; http://www.lhfa.state.la.us/programs/energy_assistance/weatherization.php
For the national office contact  Weatherization Assistance Programs Branch, EE44, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20585; 800-DIAL-DOE; http://www.eere.energy.gov/weatherization/ 
--Income Eligibility Requirements: up to $28,418 for a family of 4

16) $2,800 To Pay Your Heating Bill
Even if you are not approved for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program, you might still be eligible for short-term assistance on your utility bill from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, LIHEAP offers heating and cooling subsidies and energy crisis intervention to assist in weather-related or fuel supply shortages and household energy-related emergencies, such as utility shutoffs.
In Louisiana apply to Louisiana Housing Finance Agency, 2415 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808, 225-763--8700, 888-454-2001; http://www.lhfa.state.la.us/programs/energy_assistance/weatherization.php
For the national office contact Office of Community Services, Division of Energy Assistance, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 370 L’Enfant Promenade, SW, 5th Floor West, Washington, DC 20447; 202-401-9351; toll-free 888-294-8662; www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/liheap 
--Income Eligibility Requirements: up to $28,418 for a family of 4

17) $27,500 In Grants And Loans To Fix Up Your Home
That is the amount of money you can get to repair your rural home through the Section 504 Rural Housing Repair and Loan program. These low interest long-term loans(up to $20,000) and grants (up to $7,500) help low-income homeowners in rural areas to repair, improve, or modernize their dwellings or to remove health and safety hazards. This includes repairs or replacement of heating, plumbing or electrical services, roof or basic structure as well as water and waste disposal systems, and weatherization. Grant funds are only available to homeowners aged 62 or older who cannot repay a Section 504 Loan. Find the local USDA Rural Development Administration offices in Louisiana at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/la/offices.htm
For the national office contact Single-Family Housing Processing Division, Rural Housing Service, Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC 20250; 202-720-1474;
http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rhs/common/program_info.htm#SFH
--Income Eligibility Requirements: up to 50% of median family income, $26,149 in Louisiana, $31,366 in US (The Louisiana  eligibility does vary from parish to parish)

18) $3,000 For Your Boss To Train You
Most every state has grant money to train their workers.  Many big businesses take advantage of this money, but most small businesses have no idea it’s there.  Workers don’t realize that they can tell their bosses or prospective employers about this program so they can get the job they want or the raise they deserve.  In Louisiana contact the Louisiana State Department of Labor at 225-342-3111 or at http://www.laworks.net/forms/IWT/IWTP_SBET_Overview.pdf
To contact the national office or to find your local one-stop career centers in your area contact: Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-5426, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20210; 202-693-3580; One-Stop Career Center Locator at http://www.servicelocator.org/
---Income Eligibility Requirements: None

19) Free Dental Care For Kids
Many dentists will provide free dental care, according to an American Dental Association survey that states, “75% of its members provide charitable care.” You can find free dental services offered in your state at www.prnewswire.com/mnr/ada/10357   Just click on your state.  American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611-2678; 312-440-2500; www.ada.org.
--Income Eligibility Requirements: Determined on a case by case basis

20) Free Health Care When You Have No Insurance Coverage
Healthcare centers around the country offer everything from mental health to dental services. Contact Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; http://www.ask.hrsa.gov/pc/    Another database, The Free Clinic Foundation of America, 1240 Third Street S.W, Roanoke, VA 24016; 540-344-8242; www.medkind.com/FCF 
--Income Eligibility Requirements: Each facility has different requirements, normally on a sliding scale

21) 3.5 Million Families Can Get A Check for Up To $4,300
That’s how many people are eligible for this but don’t apply. It’s called a tax credit, but it is really a grant. It’s extra money the IRS will give you that’s better than a refund because they will give it to you even if you don’t pay any taxes. You just have to have some income, and the less income you have the bigger the check you get. You can make up to $35,458 and still be eligible. Get the free publication called IRS Publication 596, Earned Income Tax Credit by calling 1–800–829–3676 or go to www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p596.pdf.  Free tax services are available for incomes up to $35,000 from a service called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). To find your local VITA program contact your local public library or your Congressman’s office at {www.congress.org}. You can also try the IRS hotline at 1-800-TAX-1040; or see www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=119845,00.html .
--Income Eligibility Requirement:  up to $35,000 per taxpayer

22) Save $120 On Your Phone Bill
Under the Federal Communication Commission’s Link-Up American and Lifeline programs, low-income households seeking telephone service are give a 50% discount on local connection charges, and may be able to pay installment payments on the remaining charges.  You may also receive discounts up to $10 per month on the phone line charges.  For more information contact your local phone company or check out the Federal Communications Commission at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/getconnected/
--Income Eligibility Requirement: up to $26,123 for a family of 4