Financial assistance terms

SNAP

monthly food benefits for people with low income

Medicare

federal health insurance for people >65 and disabilities

Medicaid

free/low-cost medical benefits for people with low income

Social security

income for post-retirement or an inability to work due to disability

WIC

food, nutrition education, etc. for pregnant/postpartum women, infants, and young kids

TANF

temporary cash assistance for very low-income families with dependent children

CMS

federal agency that runs medicare/medicaid (“center for medicaid services”)

Unemployment insurance

temporary income to people who lose jobs (through no fault of their own)

Worker’s compensation

medical care and wage replacement for employees injured or ill from their jobs

CHIP

health insurance for kids and teens who don’t qualify for medicaid or private insurance

SSI

needs-based cash assistance for older adults and people with disabilities (“supplemental security income”)

Free/reduced school lunches

free or reduced-cost school meals for kids over the school year and summer

Head start

school readiness for kids <5yo in low income families

HRSA

federal agency providing healthcare access for uninsured and rural populations; provide grants for research and improving access

Rural health clinics

medicare-certified outpatient/primary care clinics in rural areas

FQHCs

community-based clinics that provide primary care regardless of pay

Section 8 housing

rental assistance to low-income families via housing vouchers