Low Income Resource Roundup | Feb 3, 2024

Are you looking for ways to stretch your budget a bit further? Today, we’re excited to share some groundbreaking updates on financial aid resources, including guaranteed income programs, expansive tax credits, and more. Let’s dive right in.

Nationwide Low Income News

In this section, we’ll discuss the nationwide news updates. For local news, check the section below.

Bipartisan Support for a Child Tax Credit Expansion

The House passed a new Child Tax Credit Expansion with strong bipartisan support. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities has called this bill “our best hope this year of reducing child poverty.”

If it is passed, this new expansion would help around 16 million children in low income families. It would lift the refundable cap on the credit and adjust it for inflation. This would increase the amount of tax refunds that low income families can receive.

However, it is not clear if this bill will pass the Senate.

Google Develops AI to Cut Healthcare Costs

If you’ve ever turned to an internet forum for medical advice, you may be interested to know about Google Research’s new development. They’ve created AMIE, an AI system focused on medical diagnostics and patient conversations.

This system could greatly impact low income Americans, offering improved diagnostic accuracy and quality interactions with healthcare providers. While still in the research phase, AMIE has the potential to make reliable medical advice more accessible, especially in underserved communities.

New Settlements Available: Claim Your Checks!

This week brings important opportunities for those eligible for class action settlements and tort claims. We’ve identified key updates that might put money back in your pocket.

First, there are some new class action settlements with upcoming deadlines. These can include cases against large corporations for unfair practices. If you’ve purchased certain products or services, you might be entitled to compensation.

Keep in mind, the opportunities highlighted above have looming deadlines. But there’s more! We encourage you to explore our extensive list of class action settlements. This resource offers more chances to secure funds you might be entitled to.

For even more significant compensation, don’t miss out on the chance to file a tort claim deadlines! These claims can provide financial relief if you’ve been wronged or harmed. It’s crucial to act quickly to secure your rights. Our sponsor Injury Claims can help!

Remember, claiming what you’re owed can make a significant difference in your financial situation. Check eligibility and file claims promptly to ensure you don’t miss out.

Get Grants to Start or Build a Business

Are you dreaming of starting your own business or looking to expand your current one? You may be able to get grants that can help.

Our sponsor Skip maintains a database of incredible grants that can help you start or grow your own business. This can be a really effective way to break out of poverty, so don’t hesitate to apply for these!

Low Income News by State

Dive into our curated roundup of state-specific news, featuring the latest initiatives, programs, and opportunities designed to support and uplift low-income communities across the country.

Alabama

Spire Energy has launched a new assistance program that helps customers connect with local, state and federal assistance. You can request help online or over the phone.

Alaska

Medicaid now covers women who are up to 12 months postpartum. This is a 10 month increase from the previous guidelines. The income limits have also increased to 225% of the Federal Poverty Level. The state is calling this program Pregnant Women Medicaid.

California

If the groceries you purchased with CalFresh were ruined by recent storms, you may be able to get replacement benefits! The state has extended the replacement reporting deadline to 30 days, so you will need to request a replacement of your benefits by February 21, 2024. Report your loss to your local county CalFresh office or Family Resource Center in order to request a replacement.

Colorado

The Clara Brown Commons opened in Denver’s Cole neighborhood this week. This new affordable housing community has 61 apartments for low and moderate income earners. Each apartment has a full-size refrigerator, electric range, dishwasher, washing machine and dryer. The complex also includes a children’s playroom, bike storage and more.

Residents who receive power from the Yampa Valley Electric Association may be able to receive a credit on their bill for the next two years! This credit comes from the Rays Up Community Solar Garden. Any YVEA member can receive this credit as long as their household income is at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. Applications will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis so make sure you apply right away!

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Feb: Applications open for Colorado’s free preschool program

Florida

The Summer Hires Program in Tampa provides leadership and employment training opportunities to eligible youth. Eligible participants must be between the ages of 15 and 24 years old, meet income limits, and have barriers to employment.

Georgia

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Feb 8: Cobb Schools Community Resource Fair in Marrietta

Illinois

The new Access Pilot Program is underway in Cook County. All low income riders are now eligible for reduced fairs on the Metra system, even if they aren’t disabled or older adults. This program provides a 50% discount on your Metra fares.

Iowa

The Community Action Agency of Siouxland is encouraging more people to sign up for LIHEAP. They believe that there are more people who qualify but don’t know about the program yet. If you haven’t applied yet, contact your local Community Action Agency!

Kansas

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Feb 1: Wichita Home Repair Program opens for applications
• April 15: Deadline for Johnson County Senior & Disabled Property Tax Relief Program

Kentucky

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Feb 13: Caring for the Caregiver Resource Fair in Newport
• March 31: LIHEAP deadline

Maine

The Arrearage Management Program helps customers who have owed more than $500 in past-due bills for at least 90 days. If they use the AMP program, that past-due balance can be forgiven if they make on-time payments for the next twelve months. However, the law that requires certain large utility providers to offer this program is set to expire soon. Lawmakers are considering an extension of the AMP program for an additional four years.

If you own a small business in Portland, Maine, you may be eligible for a $5,000 grant from the Portland Microenterprise Grant program! You must be a low to moderate income earner with less than 7 employees.

Maryland

Montgomery Connects will distribute 60,000 free laptop computers for low income families! Each resident can receive one.

In order to qualify, you must meet these requirements:

• You must be a Maryland resident.
• You must have a library card number.
• You must have proof of ID and address.
• You must have not already received a computer from the County.

Children can also receive a free computer. However, they must have proof of ID. A report card can be used as ID for children. They will need their own appointment to get a computer.

The county has done giveaways like this in the past and they expect this is the last one that will be offered. You need to register for an appointment on Eventbrite in order to get your free computer. Each eligible member of your household will need a separate appointment.

There are a limited number of appointments available. You must make an appointment two days before the event takes place. You can find a list of upcoming events here.

Massachusetts

The Cape Code Regional Transit Authority has made fixed-route bus fares free for disabled people and adults over the age of 60. The free fares are available on the routes between 15 Cape Code towns. The free fare system will last for at least a year but the Transit Authority hopes it will become permanent.

Michigan

A new initiative called Accompany Health has launched in Detroit with the intention to expand to other areas of the country. Accompany Health provides a whole-health approach to medicine, helping you connect with primary care providers, mental health services, and even government benefits like SNAP. They also provide health coaching, adult daycare programs and more. Their services are available 24/7 and are usually provided at no cost because they are fully covered by insurance.

A new home repair program in Manistee is providing up to $40,000 toward repairs for low income homeowners. In order to qualify, the home must be at least five years old. The owner must have an income that is at or below the Area Median Income and must have owned the home for at least one year.

If you are interested in opening a new brick-and-mortar retail store in Detroit, you can apply for the Comerica Hatch Detroit Contest by Techtown! This grant will award $100,000 to eligible entrepreneurs who plan to develop a storefront. You need to apply for this grant by February 16.

Missouri

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Feb 6: Deadline to claim free True/False tickets

Montana

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Community Resource Fair in Billings

Nevada

Don’t miss out on these events:

• March 15: Deadline to apply for utility tax rebates

New Jersey

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Special Needs Resource Fair in Scotch Plains

New Mexico

If you were covered by an uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage policy in New Mexico that was first issued or renewed between January 1, 2004, and July 11, 2022, you could be eligible for participation in the Allstate Uninsured Motorist Insurance settlement. You need to apply by February 5.

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Feb 8: Family Resource Fair in Albuquerque

New York

If you’re a small business owner in New York City, you may be eligible for a $5,000 NYC Neighborhood Business Grant. This grant helps support small businesses who have 10 or fewer employees.

North Carolina

Charlotte has expanded their free WiFi program. This program helps low income seniors and families with children connect to the internet without paying for it. If you’re interested, you can call 311 for details or browse the list of 57 properties that qualify for free internet.

Veterans who live in Pasquotank County may be eligible for free home repairs! A new program from the Elizabeth City Habitat for Humanity can provide up to $5,000 in home repair assistance if you qualify. You must be able to pay up to $500 toward the cost of materials and be willing to help with small volunteer tasks in order to receive assistance. Applications can be picked up at the Taylor Mueller Realty office.

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Feb 6: 2024 Spring Wellness Festival in Chapel Hill

Ohio

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Feb 5: Applications open for Scioto County home repair program
• Feb 15: Gun & Violence Prevention Resource Fair in Hillsboro

Oregon

The Central Oregon Guardianship Assistance Program helps low income people who need a guardianship. They provide free and low-cost services to those in Central Oregon who are unable to make medical, housing or financial decisions for themselves and don’t have anyone else available to fill that role. You can learn more about this program on the Central Oregon Guardianship Assistance Program website.

Pennsylvania.

Temple University has decided to make tuition free for low income families in Philadelphia. Students can receive free tuition if their family’s adjusted gross income is $65,000 or less per year. This will be offered through the Temple Promise Program. It only applies to eligible first year, full-time students.

If you are a female business owner in Southeastern Pennsylvania, you may be eligible for a $50,000 grant from JVS Philadelphia Fund. This fund helps small business who have been operating for at least two years. Apply by March 6!

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Feb 8: Career Resource Fair in Erie

Rhode Island

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Feb 14: Career Fair in North Smithfield

South Carolina

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Feb 5: Applications open for Housing Voucher Waitlist in 7 counties

Tennessee

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Feb 12: Deadline to apply for FEMA Assistance

Texas

Veterans in Williamson County may be able to access additional emergency assistance from the Veterans Service Office in Georgetown. This program can provide you with financial assistance for housing, utilities, food and even burial costs. The newly updated rules allow them to assist all veterans receiving disability, as well as their dependents, spouses and surviving spouses.

The Coastal Bend region has a significant shortage of EMT workers. As a result, Del Mar College is introduction a free six-month program to train more people in this field. Applications are now open for the course, which will begin later this month. Eligible candidates can apply online or call the College for details.

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Feb 10: Annual Disability Conference and Resource Fair in College Station

Virginia

Don’t miss out on these events:

• March 15: Deadline to apply for EAP Assistance

Washington 

Washington lawmakers have proposed the first statewide guaranteed income pilot program. They are calling it the Evergreen Basic Income Pilot Program. This program would provide cash payments every month for two years. They hope to provide that money to 7,500 low income residents.

The monthly payments would be tied to rent prices. Specifically, they would be equal to the fair market rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the recipient’s location. That means that the lowest payment would be around $958 for people in Stevens County and the highest would be $2,645 in King County.

The bill specifies that this program would be used to help low income adults and emancipated minors who are Washington residents. To qualify, you must be experiencing a major life event that is associated with economic instability, such as pregnancy, homelessness, or aging out of the foster care system.

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Feb 16: Deadline to apply for Grays Harbor Housing Assistance

Wisconsin

The City of Merrill has a home repair program that helps low income homeowners improve the safety, efficiency and appearance of their home. The program can also provide disability modifications. One family who received help from this organization received over $100,000 in assistance.

The assistance is given as a mix of grants and zero-interest deferred loans. The grant portion does not have to be repaid. The loan does not have to be repaid for 30 years unless they move, sell the house, fail to pay property taxes or take another action that triggers repayment. Until then, they don’t even have to make payments on it!

For more information about this program, check the Merrill website or call City Hall.

Wyoming

Residents who receive power from the Yampa Valley Electric Association may be able to receive a credit on their bill for the next two years! This credit comes from the Rays Up Community Solar Garden. Any YVEA member can receive this credit as long as their household income is at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. Applications will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis so make sure you apply right away!

Don’t miss out on these events:

• Feb 29: Deadline to apply for the Wyoming State Parks Yeti Cooler Giveaway

Relief Recap

In today’s summary, we explored significant policy changes, technological advancements, and financial opportunities aimed at supporting low income Americans. These include legislative efforts to alleviate child poverty, innovative healthcare solutions designed to improve access and quality of care, and actionable information on financial claims and grants that could offer crucial assistance. Be sure to check the state-specific section as well!

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.