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Types of Human Welfare Programs

Welfare programs give assistance to people who have little or no income. There are several types of welfare, depending on the specific needs. You can get help with paying for utilities, medical bills, food, and even child care. You have to meet your state requirements for welfare assistance.

  1. TANF

    • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is also known as cash assistance. It helps bring cash flow into households that have little to no cash. Money from TANF can be used to care for the elderly or children in the home.

    Utility Assistance

    • Utility Assistance helps needy people pay for power, water and heat. You can qualify for partial or whole assistance.

    Food Stamps

    • Food Stamps help needy families purchase food. Families are given a certain amount of money each month, which is usually in the form of a debit card. The amount given depends on income and the number of family members in the home. With food stamps, you can only purchase food. You cannot purchased household items like toilet paper, paper towels, alcohol, magazines, and other items. Most stores that accept food stamps advertise signs displaying WIC. Every item that you can purchase with food stamps should say it is a WIC-approved item.

    Medical Assistance

    • Medical Assistance provides medical care to people without medical insurance. It helps people get regular doctor visits and basic medical care. In some states, medical assistance includes vision and dental assistance. Check with your state to see what medical assistance is offered.

    Child Welfare Assistance

    • Child Welfare Assistant offers care to children in situations such as abuse and neglect. This assistance can involve investigations of the accused and screening and monitoring children, leading to foster care. Foster care is where a child is placed for a few days, and sometimes years, for emergency shelter. In some cases, child welfare can call for adoptions to provide a child with a permanent stable household. This assistant works in the best interest of the child. Sometimes it includes terminating parental rights for adoption.

    Housing Assistance

    • Housing Assistance offers low- to no-income apartments for needy families. They are usually in a low to no income housing complex. The size of the apartment depends on the number of family members. The monthly rent is limited to the amount of income the family makes. As a family makes more money, the rent increases. Based on your income, apartments are located in almost every city across the country. All you have to do is fill out an application and provide income verification.

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