Assistance Resources for Families

Families often juggle housing costs, childcare, healthcare, food, and education all at once, and it can be hard to know where to turn for reliable help. Here you’ll find plain-language breakdowns of assistance programs and practical resources designed for parents, caregivers, and children, including support with daily expenses, school-related needs, and family stability.

Each article focuses on who qualifies, how to apply, and what to expect, so you can compare options and take the next smart step for your household. Whether you’re facing a short-term setback or planning for long-term security, these resources aim to make complex programs easier to understand and use.

Families

Child Disability Benefits

Families can typically get cash benefits for a disabled child through Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is handled by the Social Security Administration (SSA), and sometimes through Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) auxiliary/dependent benefits if a parent already receives disability or retirement benefits. These programs help with basic needs like food, clothing, and shelter when a child’s disability significantly limits daily functioning and the family has limited income and resources.

Families

Family Assistance Options

Families looking for help usually have to piece together support from several places at once: food aid, cash assistance, childcare help, health coverage, rent support, and sometimes child support services or legal help. This guide focuses on how these options typically work in the United States, how to find the right official offices, and what steps to take first.

Families

Family Government Benefits

Many families qualify for government help with food, cash, health care, and child care but don’t know where to start. This guide walks through how family benefits typically work in the United States, what office handles what, what documents you’ll usually need, and what to expect after you apply.

Families

Family Survivor Benefits

Family survivor benefits are monthly payments and sometimes lump-sum payments that may be available to a spouse, children, or other dependents after a worker dies, usually through Social Security or Veterans Affairs (VA). These benefits are meant to replace some of the income the person provided and can help with ongoing bills and basic living costs.