Help for Individuals

The Rural Assistance Center works to support rural health and human services at the community level, rather than providing personal financial assistance or individual counseling. This guide lists some of the many good resources that individuals can use to identify programs and services that will help meet their needs.

Related Guides

• Health Information Resources

Tools

2-1-1 Information & Referral Service
Web site
2-1-1 provides free and confidential information and referral for help with employment, food, housing, health care, and counseling.
Sponsoring organization: United Way Worldwide

A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies
Web site
A-Z list of government offices and services used to locate such services and offices by state or local area. Website is also available in many other languages.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. General Services Administration

After Deployment
Web site
Serves as a mental wellness resource that assists military Service Members and the people close to them to anonymously seek mental health support and treatments.

Assisted Senior Living
Web site
Helps seniors and caregivers locate adequate care and senior living facilities. Site includes options to search by state and type of facility.

Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool (BEST)
Web site
Assists people in finding out what benefits they are eligible for from any of the programs Social Security administers.
Sponsoring organization: Social Security Administration

Benefits.gov
Web site
Provides information on nearly 1,000 federal and state benefit programs, including food assistance programs, and housing and energy assistance.

BenefitsCheckUp
Web site
Helps Medicare beneficiaries learn about and enroll in government benefits, including Medicare Part D, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Eldercare Assistance.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Bridge to Benefits
Web site
Offers a free and confidential screening tool for individuals and families to use to determine their eligibility status for public assistance programs and tax credits. Service currently covers Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
Sponsoring organization: Children's Defense Fund

Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors
Web site
Outlines eligibility requirements for disability benefits available through the Social Security Administration for military service members. Also available in Spanish.
Sponsoring organization: Social Security Administration

Disaster Assistance
Web site
Federal site for registration of services for people affected by disasters in federally designated disaster areas. Includes telephone, TTY and online access to registration and information that is available in English and Spanish.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
Web site
Describes a federal income tax credit for eligible low-income workers which reduces the amount of tax an individual owes, and may be returned in the form of a refund.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Treasury

Extra Help With Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs
Web site
Provides resources for Medicare beneficiaries who may qualify for the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Extra Help program.
Sponsoring organization: Social Security Administration

Family-Centered Care Self-Assessment Tool: Family Tool
Web site
Designed to help families increase their awareness and knowledge of family-centered care.
Sponsoring organization: Family Voices

Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents and Survivors
Print publication
Contains a summary of VA benefits legislated in Title 38 of the United States Code effective Jan. 1, 2010. Lists associated acronyms, plus websites and phone numbers for national VA entities and addresses of all VA facilities in the United States, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Find a Community Action Agency
Web site
Search for a community action agency (CAA) by state and county. CAAs work in communities to end poverty.
Sponsoring organization: Community Action Partnership

Find a Dentist
Web site
Allows the public to search for ADA dentists by city, state, zip code, and area by specialty.
Sponsoring organization: American Dental Association

Find a Health Center
Database
Allows users to search for health centers, including Federally Qualified Health Centers and other Bureau of Primary Health Care service delivery sites, by location. These health centers provide free and low-cost health services such as: primary medical, obstetrical and gynecological, dental, mental health and substance abuse care.
Sponsoring organization: Bureau of Primary Health Care

GovLoans.gov
Web site
Single point of access for information about Federal loan programs from the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA), Commerce, Education (FSA), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Health Reform Subsidy Calculator - Premium Assistance for Coverage in Exchanges/Gateways
Web site
Illustrates premiums and government assistance under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for people under age 65 who purchase coverage on their own in an exchange or gateway and are not covered through their employer, Medicare or Medicaid.
Sponsoring organization: Kaiser Family Foundation

HealthCare.gov
Web site
A consumer website that provides one-stop shopping access for health care information that includes: federal and state public policies, comparison of private coverage and option plans, and personal health tools.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Hill-Burton Free and Reduced Cost Health Care
Web site
Information on free or below cost health care available to people who meet poverty guidelines from certain health care facilities that received federal funds for construction or renovation under the Hill-Burton program.
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration

Housing Authority Websites
Web site
Provides lists of state and regional housing agencies. These agencies can help find safe and affordable housing for eligible families.

HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies
Web site
Housing counseling agencies throughout the country that are funded by HUD who can give advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, credit issues and reverse mortgages.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

InsureKidsNow.gov
Web site
Supplies information on free and low-cost health insurance programs for children including Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program).
Sponsoring organization: Health Resources and Services Administration

Lifeline and Link up
Web site
Use this website to determine whether you are eligible to receive Lifeline and Link Up support. Lifeline support lowers the cost of basic, monthly local telephone service. Link Up support reduces the one-time cost associated with initiating telephone service and line extension to the consumer's residence.

Local Homeless Assistance
Web site
Provides access to programs managed by local organizations that support a range of services, including shelter, food, counseling, and jobs skills programs. Information is organized by state.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Web site
Details general and application information about and for the LIHEAP, a federally-funded program to help eligible low income homeowners and renters meet their home heating and/or cooling needs.
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families

Medicare Plan Finder
Web site
Online tool for identifying and enrolling in Medicare drug and health plans. Includes information about plans available in each state. Text also available in Spanish.
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Mental Health Services Locator
Web site
Provides state-specific information about mental health services, substance abuse treatment programs and resources nationwide for professionals, consumers and their families, and the public.
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

National Resource Center for Participant-Directed Services
Web site
Provides leadership, technical assistance, education, and research for home and community-based services for individuals with disabilities. Formerly called Cash & Counseling.

Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Web site
Provides patients and providers with resources to help qualifying patients who lack prescription drug coverage, gain access to low-cost medications. Provides access to public and private patient assistance programs, including programs offered by pharmaceutical companies.
Sponsoring organization: Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

Returning Service Members (OEF/OIF)
Web site
Outlines information, support, and services provided by the Veterans Affairs office and other entities for returning soldiers of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

RxAssist - Patient Assistance Programs
Database
Provides a searchable database of patient assistance programs that provide free or low-cost prescription medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine. Includes information for patients and for health care providers.
Sponsoring organization: Volunteers in Health Care

SAMHSA Guide: Getting Through Tough Economic Times
Web site
Provides information and resource referrals for people dealing with emotional or other health problems associated with economic hard times.
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

SAMHSA: Military Families
Web site
Offers access to data, publications grantee projects related to the mental health military members and their families. Describes what SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) is doing to help military families and veterans.
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

SNAP Retailer Locator
Database
Online search tool designed to help recipients find SNAP-authorized stores near their home or workplace. Spanish version: http://www.snapretailerlocator.com/spanish/index.html
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Service

Social Security Online
Web site
Identifies programs and online services of the Social Security Office, including information on qualifying and applying online for disability and survivorship benefits.
Sponsoring organization: Social Security Administration

Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity
Web site
A foundation-led, non-partisan initiative aimed at ensuring that political leaders take significant actions to reduce poverty and increase opportunity in the United States. Includes a page dedicated to rural poverty issues.

State Human Service Agency Information and Links
Web site
Provides a directory of state human service agencies, including telephone numbers and links to websites for each state's agency or agencies dealing with human service programs.
Sponsoring organization: American Public Human Services Association

Su Familia: The National Hispanic Family Health Helpline
Hotline/Toll Free Telephone
Provides Hispanic consumers free, reliable, and confidential health information in Spanish and English and helps navigate callers through the health system. Nationwide resources and local referral services are provided depending on the need of the caller. Call 1-866-783-2645.
Sponsoring organization: National Alliance for Hispanic Health

Suicide Prevention Topic Guide
Web site
Provides information, resources and frequently asked questions related to suicide prevention in rural areas.
Sponsoring organization: Rural Assistance Center

Summary of VA Benefits
Web site
Provides brief bulleted descriptions of VA benefits as of July 2009 and names who is eligible for them. This brochure includes websites and phone numbers for learning more information.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Web site
Helps low-income people buy food, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, they need for good health. Works with State and local agencies, advocates, employers, community and faith-based organizations, and others to reach eligible low-income people who are not currently participating in SNAP and share information about its nutritional benefits.
Sponsoring organization: USDA Food and Nutrition Service

Ticket to Work Program: Recruitment and Outreach
Web site
Provides most people receiving Social Security benefits (beneficiaries) more choices for receiving employment services.
Sponsoring organization: Social Security Administration

Together Rx Access
Web site
Helps eligible individuals and families save money on prescription medications. Also available in Spanish

Transition Assistance Program (TAP)
Web site
Assists service members leaving active duty by providing information and resources to be used as part of a comprehensive program of transition and employment assistance.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Defense

U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2): Veteran and Military Service Organizations
Web site
Offers an annotated list of congressionally chartered and non-profit organizations that support the health care, employment and rehabilitation needs of veterans.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Defense

Veterans Crisis Line
Hotline/Toll Free Telephone
Provides veterans and their families free, 24/7 access to trained counselors during emotional crises. Dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255) and press "1" to be routed to the Veterans Crisis Line.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Guide to Health Care: VA Midwest Health Care Network
Web site
Provides veterans with information on health care services and benefits. Includes websites, phone numbers, and facility locations in the VA Midwest Healthcare Network VISN 23, (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and portions of Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Wisconsin and Wyoming).
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans Health Administration
Web site
Serves as a portal to a variety of resources and services related to veteran health care.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Veterans ON-Line Application (VONAPP) Website
Web site
Enables veterans to apply for benefits using the Internet. U.S. military veterans and some service members within six months of separation or retirement can apply for compensation, pension, and vocational rehabilitation benefits. Provides online access to applications, FAQs and additional contacts.
Sponsoring organization: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

VirtualCAP
Web site
Provides information and resources that can be used by Community Action Agencies and others to help low-income persons and families move toward self-sufficiency and to reduce poverty in communities across the United States. Includes directory of local community action agencies by state or agency.
Sponsoring organization: Virginia Community Action Partnership

Welfare Reform and Social Services State Links
Web site
Contains a list of links to state social services agencies and state agencies handling welfare reform.
Sponsoring organization: Administration for Children and Families

Funding

Assistance to Needy Veterans and Family Members
Grant program for veterans that provides limited financial assistance to those in need and who have exhausted all other sources of aid.

FEMA Individuals and Households Program (IHP)
Provides money and services to people in federally designated disaster areas when losses are not covered by insurance and property has been damaged or destroyed.

Jenny's Heroes Community Grant Program
Grants to individuals who submit the best ideas for tangible, lasting community projects.

Rural Development Voucher Program
Rural Development Vouchers are only available to low income tenants of Rural Development-financed multifamily properties where the Section 515 loan has been prepaid, prior to the loan's maturity date and after September 30, 2005.

Urgent Repair Program
Funds under the Urgent Repair Program may be used to provide grants for emergency home repairs for elderly homeowners and other homeowners with special needs whose household incomes are below 50% of the area median income.

Weatherization Assistance Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient.

Inactive Funding

Inactive Funding Opportunities - Lists additional funding programs for this topic that are not currently accepting applications. Programs that are inactive may be offered again in the future.

Regulations, Forms & Other Useful Documents

Health Care Reform, What’s in It?: Rural Individuals and Families
Author(s): Jon M. Bailey
Sponsoring organization: Center for Rural Affairs
Looks at how provisions in health care legislation will benefit rural individuals and families.
Date: 09 / 2010

Help After a Disaster: Applicant's Guide to the Individuals & Households Program
Sponsoring organization: Federal Emergency Management Agency
This program guide provides information about the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) and explains how to apply. The IHP provides money and services to people in disaster areas when losses are not covered by insurance and property has been damaged or destroyed. Designed to help individuals with critical expenses. Guide is also available in Spanish.
Date: 07 / 2008

Medicare and the New Health Care Law - What It Means for You
Sponsoring organization: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Provides information about Medicare services and benefits in regards to the new health care law. Spanish version
Date: 05 / 2010

Organizations

2-1-1
Nonprofit/Foundation
A telephone number that, where available, connects people with important community services and volunteer opportunities. 2-1-1 is lead by United Ways and information and referral agencies in states and local communities.

Dental Lifeline Network (NFDH)
National organization
Provides qualified disabled and elderly people in numerous states with free, comprehensive, donated treatment by volunteer dentists.

Feeding America
Nonprofit/Foundation
Nation's largest hunger relief organization. Network of 200+ food banks and food-rescue programs. Includes a directory of food banks by zip code or state. Previously, America's Second Harvest.

Legal Services Corporation (LSC)
Nonprofit/Foundation
Funds legal aid programs around the nation to help poor Americans gain equal access to the judicial system. Provides contact information for legal aid programs in each state.

Modest Needs
Nonprofit/Foundation
Works to empower normally self-sufficient people to remain productive, by helping them meet relatively small, one-time necessary expense for which they are unprepared.

National Patient Travel Center (NPTC)
National organization
Works to help patients access charitable medical air transportation resources in the United States. Call 1-800-296-1217 for assistance.

United Way Worldwide
Nonprofit/Foundation
Works to improve people's lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. Includes contact information and links for local United Way organizations.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
Federal government
Provides resources about DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program that enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient.