Are you one of the many Americans caught in the crosshairs of Social Security overpayments or struggling to find reliable internet and transportation? This week’s low income resource recap has the scoop on new policies and programs that may be able to help!
Nationwide News
There’s a lot going on these days! From the ongoing problems with Social Security overpayments to new initiatives ensuring fair internet access, our nationwide news segment includes all the news you need to know.
Social Security Overpayment Problems Continue
Recently, there has been a rise in cases where individuals are getting letters informing them that they owe large amounts of money due to errors in their Social Security payments. For example, Mike Burrow from Alabama recently received a letter saying that he owed $92,000. As a result, Social Security intends to withhold is $2,200 payments until 2027.
Terry Savage, a syndicated financial columnist and co-author of the book Social Security Horror Stories: Protect Yourself from the System and Avoid Clawbacks, is on a crusade to make Social Security stop taking this money back from vulnerable seniors and people with disabilities.
She is asking people who have received letters like this to share their experience on SocialSecurityHorrorStories.com. The hope is that enough stories, they’ll be able to arouse enough outrage to create change.
Terry wants the government to stop collecting on debts that are older than 18 months. This cap would prevent beneficiaries from being blindsided by out-of-control debts while still allowing Social Security to recoup losses from recent mistakes.
New Stopgap Funding Bill Impacts Nutrition Programs
The federal government averted shutdown with another stopgap funding bill. This bill pushes the deadlines back for several key programs.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will be funded through next September. This is comforting for low income families because it means that those benefits will be saved through next year.
The WIC program is only secured through January 19th, though. This program is formally called the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, provides extra food and nutrition support for low income families that include pregnant women or children under age 5.
New Rules Ensure Fair Internet Access
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has issued new rules that are intended to ensure fair internet access for low income communities. These rules allow FCC to investigate and address any unfair practices that internet providers use when offering service to different communities.
This change is crucial for low-income and racially diverse neighborhoods, which often face less investment in broadband and poorer internet service deals. The new FCC rules will help identify and fix these inequalities.
New Funding for Transportation Programs
The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced an additional $5 million in funding that is designed to help provide transportation assistance for seniors, people with disabilities and those with low incomes. This initiative is designed to make it easier for you to get where you need to go.
The impact of this funding won’t be immediately obvious. Transportation providers can apply for the grant until mid-February, after which funds will be awarded. This is good news though because it means we could start seeing some additional transportation solutions implemented in the next year or two.
Get Financial Relief with Settlement Checks
For low-income Americans, class action settlements offer a crucial opportunity for financial relief. These settlements are often overlooked but can provide extra cash that can make a big difference in your budget.
By claiming your rightful share in these settlements, you can access money you wouldn’t get otherwise. Don’t miss out on the chance to improve your financial situation!
Act fast to get your share of these settlements with upcoming deadlines!
| Settlement | Due |
|---|---|
| CVS Lidocaine Products If you purchased a CVS maximum strength lidocaine product like a patch, cream, roll-on, or spray between December 11, 2017 and July 18, 2023, you might be part of this settlement. | Nov 20, 2023 |
| Navient Solutions If you are a borrower or coborrower of a Navient-owned private student loan AND you filed for bankruptcy protection on or after October 17, 2005, then you may be eligible for this. | Nov 20, 2023 |
| AdaptHealth Spam Texts – $160 value (estimated) If you received a text about CPAP supplies from AeroCare after replying stop to an earlier message, you may be eligible for this! It covers unwanted texts sent after November 23, 2018. | Nov 21, 2023 |
| Enhanced Recovery Company (Illinois) – $25 (estimated) This settlement applies to people in Illinois who got a debt collection letter from Enhanced Recovery Company. The letter said they could settle the debt, but it also mentioned that some money would still be owed to the original creditor. | Nov 23, 2023 |
| Douglas J Institute (Michigan) This settlement is for students who took part in Douglas J.’s cosmetology programs in Michigan and were part of the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, or Salon Life courses from 2012 to 2022. | Nov 23, 2023 |
| Freedom Financial Network – up to $170 (estimated) You might qualify for this settlement if you got telemarketing calls for Freedom Financial Network or Freedom Debt Relief from May 17, 2017, to April 17, 2018. | Nov 25, 2023 |
| M&M Rentals (Colorado) You could be eligible for this settlement if you resided in any of M&M Rentals’ apartments located at 102-120 D Street, 233 E. First Street, or 117 ½ F Street in Salida, Colorado, at any time since April 24, 2015. | Nov 25, 2023 |
| Spartan Mosquito You may be eligible for this if you bought Spartan Mosquito Eradicator or Spartan Mosquito Pro Tech products between December 21, 2016, and August 2, 2023. | Dec 1, 2023 |
| TenantReports.com Background Checks If someone pulled a background check on you through TenantReports.com between April 8, 2020 and April 9, 2023, then you may be eligible for this. | Dec 5, 2023 |
| Hyundai Engines If you owned or leased a certain Hyundai vehicle, you may be eligible for this. The list of eligible vehicles can be found on the settlement website linked above. | Dec 7, 2023 |
| Kia Engine Failure If you bought or leased certain 2010-2020 Kia vehicles, you may be eligible for this. The list of vehicles can be found using the settlement link above. | Dec 7, 2023 |
| Chicco “KidFit” Booster Seats – $50 value (estimated) If you bought a Chicco “KidFit” Booster Seat between April 22, 2015 and December 31, 2021, you may be covered by this settlement! | Dec 11, 2023 |
Secure Skip Grants for Launching or Expanding Your Side Business
Transforming your side hustle into a flourishing business is an effective strategy to break free from poverty’s grip. Increasing your income is always a great way to boost your monthly finances.
Grants are easy to find when you use the database provided by our sponsor, Skip! Their service is ideal for those seeking extra money boost to achieve their goals.
Hurry and apply to take advantage of these grant opportunities!
| Open Entrepreneur Grants |
|---|
| November Skip Grants – $1,000 This grant is open to all US-based entrepreneurs and small business owners. You just need to subscribe to Skip’s YouTube channel and have a Skip account. Click the by November 27 – it takes less than 30 seconds! |
| Lenovo Evolve Small Grant Program – $15,000 Small business owners in specific cities may be able to get up to $15,000 through this program! You must live in one of these cities in order to be eligible: -Atlanta GA -Chicago IL -Dallas TX -Los Angeles CA -Raleigh NC -Toronto, Ontario, Canada You must apply by November 27. |
| Stacy’s Rise Project – $25,000 Founders or co-founders of businesses that have earned more than $25,000 per year but less than $1 million may be eligible for this grant. However, your business must sell a consumer packaged good. Applications are due December 1. |
| $10k Skip Grant for Entrepreneurs – $10,000 All US-based entrepreneurs and small business owners who are at least 18 years old can apply for this grant. You must apply by December 15! |
| Atomic Grants – $1,500 Four women age 21+ will be awarded $1,500 to help bring their dreams to life! Winners will also receive coaching from Keystone International Group and a free year of Passion Collective On Demand. You must apply by December 15. |
| Galaxy Grants – $2,500 This program is looking for US-based women and minority business owners! You must refer a friend when you apply but don’t worry – if they win, you win! Apply by December 16. |
You can get more information about these offers and more when you claim your free Skip account today!
Local Resources
We’ve found local news updates for Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin today!
Alabama
Mark your calendars for these key events and deadlines!
- Nov 18-22: Free Turkey Giveaways in Phoenix
- Nov 23: Free Thanksgiving Dinner in Eight Mile
- Nov 23: Free thanksgiving Dinner in Phoenix (Salvation Army)
- Dec 1: Sierra Newman Memorial Scholarship applications open
Arizona
Mark your calendars for these key events and deadlines!
- Nov 22: Free Thanksgiving Drive-Thru Feast in Tucson
- Nov 23: Free Thanksgiving Dinner in Tucson
California
Low income families in Coastal North County can get cheap computers at a drive-through event on December 2! This event will provide computers and laptops loaded with educational software for under $100 each. The event is coordinated by San Diego County Office of Education and Computers 2 Kids. You need to register online by November 30 if you want to participate.
A new affordable housing complex is being built on Placer Street in Redding. This project is called Piper Way Senior Housing and will provide homes for low income seniors and people with disabilities. Construction is expected to take about two years.
Mark your calendars for these key events and deadlines!
- Nov 30: Coastal North County discounted computer registration deadline
- March 31, 2024: Deadline to apply for LIHWAP
Colorado
Mark your calendars for these key events and deadlines!
- April 30, 2024: Deadline to apply for energy bill assistance from LEAP
Florida
Hillsborough County’s Housing is Healthcare program has a new mobile bus that will bring basic health care services to low income neighborhoods for free. The bus is expected to visit affordable housing sites to help residents who don’t have other health care options. This service is expected to offer basic medical services, as well as dental care, chiropractic care and behavioral health services. A schedule is available on the Housing is Healthcare site.
The St. Petersburg Housing Authority recently received a $1 million grant to build a new low income housing apartment complex for low income seniors in the area. The complex will include 71 units. Construction is expected to begin early next year.
In Melbourne, the city council decided to move forward with a new affordable housing project on Sarno Road. This complex will be called Providence Place and it will be a collaboration between Daily Bread and the city. There will be 120 units available when construction is complete.
Mark your calendars for these key events and deadlines!
- Nov 29: Deadline to apply for Hurricane Idalia relief
- Nov 30: Deadline for veterans to get free passport photos from Polk County Clerk‘s office
Georgia
Mark your calendars for these key events and deadlines!
- Nov 27: Cobb Community Resource Fair in Marietta
Idaho
All students in Idaho may be able to receive up to $1,000 from the Empowering Parents grant! There’s a max of $3,000 per family. Applications are open now.
This is a state-funded grant that is awarded to public school, private school and homeschool students. This money is used to purchase educational materials, including computers and internet, tutoring or other education supports.
There is no income limit to apply. Priority is given to families who make less than $60,000 per year. If there’s money left over, it will be given to families who make less than $75,000 per year. If there’s still money leftover after that, it’ll be given to those who make more.
Also, Ada County is using federal funds to build a new low income medical and dental clinic in Meridian! The Terry Reilly Health Services clinic will be located near Eagle Road. It will offer medical, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy services for patients regardless of income or insurance status.
Illinois
Project RELIEF can provide financial customers who need paying their City Water, Light and Power bills. To get help, you need to apply for LIHEAP and then call the CWLP Project RELIEF line for additional assistance.
Mark your calendars for these key events and deadlines!
- Nov 23: Free Thanksgiving Dinner in O’Fallon
- Dec 1: LIHEAP open for everyone
Indiana
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Agency has announced a historic $557 million investment in affordable housing for the state. This money is expected to bring 2,500 more affordable homes into the area. The homes will be located throughout the state in areas like Bloomington, Elkhart, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Lafayette and more.
Mark your calendars for these key events and deadlines!
- Nov 24-25: Free Rides at the Cass County Carousel
Iowa
Americans for Independent Living is an organization in Waterloo that provides free stuff for veterans in the area. They provide homes, rental apartments, household goods, clothing and whatever else gets donated.
Mark your calendars for these key events and deadlines!
- Nov 23: Free Thanksgiving Meal in Des Moines
- Nov 27: Register for Free Christmas Meals in Des Moines
Kansas
Mark your calendars for these key events and deadlines!
- Nov 28: Caregiver Resource Fair and Summit in Emporia
Kentucky
Lexington recently held an 3-hour meeting to field comments from the public about their proposed ban on income discrimination. If the proposal passes, landlords would not be able to refuse Section 8 vouchers or other forms of income when considering tenants. They would still be able to conduct background checks and other screenings, though.
Mark your calendars for these key events and deadlines!
- Dec 15: Deadline to apply for LIHEAP
Maine
Maine has received an extra $8 million to help low income kids attend preschool! The Office of Early Childhood Development is in charge of administering this program, so you should be able to apply with them.
Maryland
Baltimore City just advanced two new bills that would increase the number of affordable housing units in the area. If the bills pass, the developers who are subsidized by the city will have to make at least 10% of their rental units affordable for those who earn 60% or less of the Area Median Income.
Mark your calendars for these key events and deadlines!
- Nov 22: Free Thanksgiving Dinner & Resource Fair in Baltimore
Massachusetts
The Healey-Driscoll Administration has announced expanded funding for the MASSGrant Plus Expansion Program. This program can cover the cost of tuition, fees, books and supplies for college students who are eligible for the Pell Grant. Low and middle income students are expected to benefit from this program.
Mark your calendars for these key events and deadlines!
- Nov 23: Free Turkey Dinner in Fall River
- Nov 23: Free Thanksgiving Dinner in Tiverton (registration required)
Michigan
Mark your calendars for these key events and deadlines!
- Dec 1: MIHAF Application Clinic in Macomb County
Missouri
The Free Store in Ashland has opened to help low income families. This store offers everything for free, including clothing, books, bedding, food and more. The store is located at 113 E Broadway.
Mark your calendars for these key events and deadlines!
- Nov 21: Free Thanksgiving Dinner in Troy (for first responders, military, medical workers, dispatchers only, tow personnel only)
- Nov 21: Free Turkey Giveaway in St. Louis
- Nov 22: Free Thanksgiving Meal in Ferguson
- Nov 23: Free Thanksgiving Dinner in Imperial
Nevada
Nevada residents who want to apply for the Energy Assistance Program are experiencing severe delays. The state claims that the delays are caused by a staffing shortage at the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS), the government agency that is in charge of handling these benefits.
They said they currently have a job vacancy rate of 35%. If you’re looking for work, it sounds like DWSS might be hiring.
New York
Governor Hochul has enacted the ‘Clean Slate Act‘. This law allows for sealing criminal records after a period of time. As long as the convict does not commit any other crimes, felony records can be sealed after eight years and misdemeanors can be sealed after three years. The count begins from the later of the conviction date or release from prison. However, this doesn’t apply to all crimes. Sex crimes and class A felonies like kidnapping and terrorism are excluded. However, Class A felonies for drug possession can be sealed under this law.
Also, the Caramel Central School District will start offering free breakfast and lunch to all students starting on December 1.
Mark your calendar for these key events and deadlines!
- Nov 21: Christmas registration at Catholic Charities Chemung & Schuyler for current food pantry clients only
North Carolina
Cape Fear Academy has a new scholarship fund for low income students! This program is called the Path to Excellence Fund and is designed to help low income students, especially students of color, get financial assistance to pursue their educational goals.
Charlotte will expand six new hubs for their Corridors of Opportunity program. These Business Opportunity Hubs will help business owners and nonprofits who want to start or expand their businesses. Different locations will offer different services. In Sugar Creek, women can get special training to help break into the trades. In Rozelles Ferry, there will be assistance with business plans, financial services and more. You can get all the details from WFAE.
Mark your calendar for these key events and deadlines!
- Dec 1: Medicaid expansion begins
Ohio
Kettering has made some adjustments to the homebuyer assistance program in their town. This program will now offer up to $10,000 to help low income first-time home buyers with a down payment. However, the program will only be able to help 10 people per year now.
Mark your calendar for these key events and deadlines!
- Nov 21: Free Thanksgiving dinner available from Horizon Education Centers
- Nov 23: Free Thanksgiving dinner in Victorian Village
- Nov 23: Free Thanksgiving dinner in Franklinton
Oregon
In Bend, the Old Mill Inn and Suites will be renovated to a long-term low income housing unit. There will be 75 beds available when the renovations are completed.
Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania State Government recently celebrated the 40-year anniversary of the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly (PACE) program. This program provides low-cost prescriptions for Pennsylvanians who are age 65 and older.
For a comprehensive list of free Thanksgiving dinner events happening in your local Pennsylvania community, check this list from Fox43!
South Dakota
Dakota State University has introduced a new scholarship program for low income students who are interested in STEM topics. The grant will serve between 6-12 students with up to $15,000 a year for five years. That’s $75,000 in scholarship money for low income students who need it!
Texas
StarCare Specialty Health System in Lubbock has grants that can help veterans in the area. One program allows them to help pay for housing and utilities. Another grant covers mental health services for veterans who are affected by trauma. This organization serves 30 counties.
Mark your calendar for these key events and deadlines!
- Nov 23: Free “No One Eats Alone” Thanksgiving Dinner in Flower Mound (Reservations Required)
- Dec 1: The Center for Women and Children in Houston will close
Virginia
HUD has announced funding to preserve and rehabilitate affordable housing in Newport News! This program is expected to improve 40 different rental homes to make sure that they are safe and affordable. This rehabilitation will include Orcutt Townhomes, a complex with twenty duplex homes.
Mark your calendar for these key events and deadlines!
- Dec 6: One Stop Community Resource Fair in Front Royal
Washington
The Eventually Tenant Ownership Program is under investigation for failing to deliver on promises. This program was supposed to give renters the opportunity to become homeowners after 15 years of on-time rent payments. However, some tenants have continued to pay rent even though it’s been 20 years. It appears that the state failed to deliver on this because not one deed has been transferred to tenants since the program began.
State Representatives have launched an investigation to this and have announced that a detailed audit will be conducted next year. The Seattle Times editorial board is pushing the Washington State House Finance Commission to suspend rent payments for the tenants who should currently own their homes.
Mark your calendar for these key events and deadlines!
- Nov 23: Free Thanksgiving Lunch in Tukwila
Wisconsin
Mark your calendar for these key events and deadlines!
- Dec 6: Deadline to apply for Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors
- Jan 31: Wisconsin Fund application deadline
Relief Recap
Change is happening all over the place! From new initiatives to promote transportation access to $3,000 grants for low income families in Idaho, there are tons of new financial assistance programs out there for low income Americans! Contact the organizations listed in this post or review our other recent resource recaps for more ways that you can save money and get free stuff!
Nicole Thelin
Nicole is the founder and lead researcher of Low Income Relief. After a personal experience with poverty and homelessness following her husband's sudden medical discharge from the U.S. Army, Nicole discovered the life-changing impact of community resources. This experience ignited her passion for empowering others to navigate similar crises. Nicole launched her writing career at age 16, working for various newspapers and publications. Her commitment to in-depth research and accessible content has been recognized by Google for Publishers and other industry leaders. For over 20 years, she has applied her investigative skills to uncover the most helpful, up-to-date information on benefits programs and community resources, ensuring Low Income Relief maintains the most extensive resource databases available.
Autumn Heiden-Smith
Sunday 19th of November 2023
I am actually going through this right now. They started by taking my whole check and planned to for a full year for some overpayment that I have no idea what’s going on. I finally got it where they are only taking just less than half my check monthly which is still way too much!! It’s crap!!