Alphabetical Index of Benefits related to jobs, education, and financial
knowledge
The following list is not all inclusive, but highlights some of the federal and state-funded
programs that exist to provide low- to moderate-income individuals with needed tools,
resources, and benefits. To learn more about the specific programs listed, reference the
listed websites. To conduct a personalized search of available federal and state
benefits, visit http://www.benefits.gov. An asterisk indicates that the program received
funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

Alliance for Economic Inclusion (AEI)
http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/community/AEI/overview.html
The Alliance for Economic Inclusion, a program of the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation (FDIC), aims to enhance the economic well-being of low- and moderateincome individuals and families and to work with financial institutions to better
assimilate individuals into the financial mainstream. To do this, AEI provides
expanded services such as savings accounts, financial education programs, shortterm loans, and other asset-building programs to underserved consumers in lowand moderate-income neighborhoods, minority and immigrant communities, and
rural areas.
To
see
a
list
of
AEI
contacts
in
http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/community/offices.html.

your
area,
visit
American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC)
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=205674,00.html
Formerly known as the “Hope Credit,” the AOTC is an IRS tax subsidy for college
tuition costs aimed to enable students who could not afford higher education the
opportunity to attend college. Prior to ARRA 3.8 million prospective college students
were not eligible for this subsidy because their income was too low to qualify. The
ARRA reduced the threshold of qualifications and changed the subsidy from nonrefundable to refundable.

Assets for Independence (AFI)
http://idaresources.org/IDA_financial_literacy.php
The Assets for Independence Program was created by the Department of Health
and Human Services to help AFI enable community-based nonprofits and
government agencies to implement and demonstrate an assets-based approach for
giving low-income families a hand up out of poverty. Their facilitator and activity
guides are available to the public and include topics such as talking about money,
family assets, money values and attitudes, goals, family budgeting, family saving,
banking and investment, and credit and debt. Anyone is eligible to take advantage of
the online resources at http://idaresources.org/IDA_financial_literacy.php
SCF National Resource Center
help@scfgrantees.org
1

Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG)
http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/oii/nonpublic/childcare.html
CCDBG, a program of the Department of Health and Human Services, provides
funding to states to subsidize child care for children in low-income working families
and low-income families in which parents are engaged in education or training. To
look up eligibility criteria and application procedures near you, visit
http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/statedata/dirs/display.cfm?title=ccdf or a tribal council near
you at http://nccic.acf.hhs.gov/tribal/grantees.html

Child and Dependent Care Credit
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc602.html
The Child and Dependent Care Credit provides IRS tax credits to parents and
families who pay for child or dependent care so that adults can work or look for work.

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)*
http://www.insurekidsnow.gov
CHIP services, offered through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of
Health and Human Services, vary from state-to-state, but states are required to
provide uninsured children and pregnant women in families with specific incomes
(too high for Medicaid, too low for private insurance) with benefits packages that
cover routine check-ups, shots, dental visits, hospital care, laboratory services, and
x-rays. Interested individuals can apply by reaching out to their state’s CHIP office.
To
see
listings
of
state
contacts
and
offices,
visit
http://www.insurekidsnow.gov/state/index.html or call 1-877 KIDS NOW (1-877-5437669).

COBRA Health Insurance Continuation Premium Subsidy*
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204505,00.html
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and the Department
of Labor established a subsidy for employees who lose their jobs. Under the new
law, individuals who were receiving benefits through an employer-provided health
plan at the time of involuntary job loss may be eligible to pay reduced fees for
COBRA
coverage.
For
more
information
about
eligibility,
visit
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=212637,00.html

Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP)
http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/fact/employment_services_fs01.htm
DVOP, a program of the Department of Labor, develops job and training
opportunities for veterans, especially those with service-related disabilities. DVOP
specialists provide veterans with direct services to remain competitive in the labor
market and promote community support for disabled veterans through training
opportunities such as apprenticeships and on-the-job training. Locate DVOP
services within your state by contacting your local state employment service. See a
state-by-state
listing,
state_unemployment_offices.shtml.

here:
http://www.job-hunt.org/
Dislocated Worker Program*
http://www.doleta.gov/layoff/
The Dislocated Worker Program, offered through the Department of Labor, helps
individuals who have been (or anticipate being) laid off or terminated to transition
into and qualify for a new job. To learn more about Dislocated Worker Programs in
your state, visit http://www.doleta.gov/layoff/rapid_coord.cfm and contact your state’s
Dislocated Worker/Rapid Response Team.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)*
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=96406,00.html
EITC is a refundable federal income tax credit for low- to moderate-income,
employed individuals and families.

Economic Recovery Payment
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204468,00.html
Through the Economic Recovery Payment offered by the IRS, retirees, veterans,
and people with disabilities will receive a one time payment of $250 if they received
any Social Security, SSI veterans disability compensation or pension benefits, or
railroad retirement benefits in November or December 2008 or January 2009.

Federal Pell Grants*
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/PellGrants.jsp
Federal Pell Grants, provided through the Department of Education, help financially
needy undergraduate students to pay for postsecondary education.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
http://www.ed.gov/programs/fseog/index.html
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants offered through the
Department of Education help financially needy undergraduate students to pay for
postsecondary education. The award is made by educational institutions based on
the availability of funds.

Financial Education and Counseling Pilot Program*
http://www.cdfifund.gov/index.asp
The Financial Education and Counseling Program, an initiative of the Department of
the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, awards grants
to organizations that aim to identify successful methods of financial education and
counseling services that result in financial empowerment, and to establish program
models for organizations to deliver effective financial education and counseling
services to prospective homebuyers. To find Financial Education and Counseling
Pilot
programs
in
your
area,
visit
http://www.cdfifund.gov/awardees/db/basicSearchResults.asp.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/index.htm
The FAFSA form and process is provided by the Department of Education and used
by almost all colleges, universities, and career schools in the U.S. to award Federal,
state, and college-funded aid.

Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project
http://www.dol.gov/vets/programs/fact/homeless_veterans_fs04.htm
The Department of Labor’s Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project serves to
reintegrate homeless veterans into the workforce as well as address the varying and
complex problems that face homeless veterans. To apply or learn about Homeless
Veterans Reintegration Projects within your area, contact the Veterans' Employment
and Training Service office nearest you (listed in the phone book under United
States Government, U.S. Department of Labor) or find contact information at
http://www.dol.gov/vets/aboutvets/contacts/main.htm

Indian Employment Assistance*
https://www.cfda.gov/index?s=program&mode=form&tab=step1&id=dd6bdd5cd1bbc
70526e872361c50d577
Indian Employment Assistance, a program of the Department of the Interior’s Bureau
of Indian Affairs, provides vocational training and employment opportunities to
eligible American Indians. To locate participating organizations in your area, see the
“your next steps” section here http://bit.ly/6Hvu9L.

Indian Higher Education Grant Program
http://bit.ly/6fjiJ6
The Indian Higher Education Grant Program, operated through the Department of
the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs, provides financial assistance to help eligible
participants attend accredited institutions of higher education. To locate participating
organizations in your area, see the “your next steps” section here: http://bit.ly/6fjiJ6.

Indian Job Placement United Sioux Tribes Development
http://bit.ly/4OEYW4
This program, offered through the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian
Affairs, utilizes the United Sioux Tribes Development Corporation to provide eligible
participants with job development, counseling, social adjustment guidance, and
referrals to job training programs and other assistance. To find participating
institutions, see the “your next steps” section here: http://bit.ly/4OEYW4.

Indian Vocational Training- United Tribes Technical College
http://bit.ly/4WqJRl
The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ vocational training program provides individual
American Indians with vocational training through the United Tribes Technical
College, located in Bismarck, North Dakota. To learn more about the application
process, see the “your next steps” section here: http://bit.ly/4WqJRl.

Ironworker Training Program
http://ironworkersindianprogram.com/
The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Ironworker Training Program provides eligible
participants with ironworker vocational training, apprenticeships, and job placement.
For more details on eligibility visit http://ironworkersindianprogram.com/id3.html.
To initiate the application process, contact your local Native American employment
or training office.

Job Opportunities for Low Income Individuals (JOLI)
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/joli/index.html
The Department of Health and Human Services’ JOLI program encourages lowincome individuals to become economically self-sufficient by assisting low-income
individuals in the areas of self-employment, micro-enterprise, new business
ventures, expansion of existing businesses through technical and financial
assistance
and
non-traditional
employment
initiatives.
Visit
http://www.govbenefits.gov/framework/skins/govbenefits/images/JOLI.png to see the
availability of JOLI programs in your area.

Local Veterans' Employment Representative Program (LVER)
http://bit.ly/6yCH9O
LVER, a program of the Department of Labor, provides veterans with job
development, placement, and support services. To learn about participating
organizations in your area, see the “your next steps” section here:
http://bit.ly/6yCH9O.

Making Work Pay Tax Credit
http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=204447,00.html
The centerpiece of the tax relief in the economic recovery bill is a new $400 tax
credit available to most workers not claimed as another taxpayer’s dependent.

Money Smart Adult Financial Education Curriculum
http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/overview.html
The Money Smart program, made available by the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, provides both individuals and financial institutions with financial
education and financial services to help both low- and moderate-income populations.
Financial education is available in both instructor-led and computer-based instruction
versions. Anyone is eligible to take part in the computer-based instruction modules
located at http://www.fdic.gov/consumers/consumer/moneysmart/mscbi/mscbi.html.

National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP)*
http://www.doleta.gov/MSFW/
NFJP, a program of the Department of Labor, provides migrant and seasonal farm
workers and their dependents with job training, employment assistance, and other
supportive services that can help individuals to secure full-time employment. To
learn more about NFJP programs in your area, visit http://www.servicelocator.org
and find a One-Stop Center in your area.

Neighborhood Networks
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/nnw/ivlc/ivlc.cfm
The Neighborhood Networks initiative provides U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD) Federal Housing Administration (FHA)-insured and
assisted communities with technology centers that offer adult job-training classes
that include computer skills, resume writing, interviewing techniques, job placement
services, GED classes, and ESL classes. To find a Neighborhood Network in your
state, visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/nnw/nnwfindcenter.cfm.

Nursing Workforce Diversity
http://bit.ly/7KemKW
Nursing Workforce Diversity, a program of the Department of Health and Human
Services, provides individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds opportunities to
receive student scholarships or stipends, pre-entry preparation and retention
activities. To learn more about participating organizations, reference the list at
http://granteefind.hrsa.gov/searchbyprogram.aspx?select=D19&index=118&year.

Reserve Educational Assistance Program (REAP)
www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/CH1607/REAP_FAQ.htm#2
The Research Education Assistance Program, a benefit made available through the
Veterans Benefits Administration, provides educational assistance to active duty
Reserve armed forces. To apply for benefits, reference the education forms at
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_Bill_Info/education_forms.htm.

Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students*
http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/dsa/sds.htm
The Department of Health and Human Services’ Scholarships for Disadvantaged
Students program provides scholarships to full-time, financially needy students from
disadvantaged backgrounds, who are enrolled in health professions and nursing
programs.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)*
http://www.doleta.gov/SENIORS/html_docs/AboutSCSEP.cfm
SCSEP, a program of the Department of Labor, provides elderly individuals with
employment plan development, community service placement, service training, and
assistance in securing unsubsidized employment. To find programs locally, contact
your nearest One-Stop Career Center through the Toll-Free Help Line at 1-877-US2JOBS (1-877-872-5627), or online at http://www.servicelocator.org/.
.

Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)
www.usajobs.gov/EI14.asp
The Department of Commerce’s Student Career Experience Program (SCEP),
provides students with work experience directly related to their academic field of
study.

Supported Employment State Grants
http://bit.ly/7ZzIdg
The Department of Education’s Supported Employment State Grants, also known as
Supported Employment for Individuals with the Most Significant Disabilities, provide
grants for services that help support employment for individuals with significant
disabilities. To learn about participating organizations in your area, see the “your
next steps” section here: http://bit.ly/7ZzIdg.

TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers
http://www.ed.gov/programs/trioeoc/applicant.html
TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers, operated by the Department of Education,
provide low- or very low-income individuals with help applying to postsecondary
education institutions, and financial and academic assistance. To learn more about
how to apply, visit http://www.ed.gov/programs/trioeoc/applicant.html.

TRIO Student Support Services (SSS)
http://www.ed.gov/programs/triostudsupp/applicant.html
The Department of Education’s TRIO Student Support Services program aims to
increase the college retention and graduation rates of low-income, first generation
college, and disabled students by providing educational support services such as
personal and academic career counseling, career guidance, instruction, mentoring,
and tutoring. To learn more about participating institutions, visit
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/trio/orgstructure.html and contact TRIO staff.

TRIO Upward Bound
http://www.ed.gov/programs/trioupbound/index.html
The department of Education’s Upward Bound program aims to increase the
academic performance and motivation levels of low-income and potential firstgeneration college students and veterans by providing instruction in math, lab
sciences, composition, literature, and foreign languages as well as tutoring,
counseling, mentoring, cultural enrichment, work-study programs, and financial and
economic literacy education. To learn more about participating institutions and
organizations, visit http://www.ed.gov/programs/trioupbound/contacts.html and
contact Upward Bound staff.

Undergraduate
Backgrounds
Scholarship
Program
for
Individuals
from
Disadvantaged
https://ugsp.nih.gov/home.asp?m=00
This Department of Health and Human Services scholarship program provides
service-conditioned scholarships to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds
that are pursuing their undergraduate degrees that involve biomedical, behavioral
and social science health-related research. Scholarship funds may only be used for
tuition/educational and living expenses incurred while attending school. Interested
individuals can apply online at https://ugsp.nih.gov/home.asp?m=00.

Unemployment Insurance
www.ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/
The recovery package and the Department of Labor provided federal funding for a
$25 per week increase in unemployment benefits. The recovery package includes
financial incentives to states for adopting reforms to their unemployment insurance
programs that would make the program accessible to more low-wage workers and
part-time
workers.
For
state-specific
information,
visit
http://www.servicelocator.org/OWSLinks.asp.

VA Educational and Vocational Counseling
http://www.gibill.va.gov/GI_BILL_Info/Counseling.htm
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides veterans with counseling to facilitate
career decisions (both civilian and military), educational and vocational counseling to
help individuals choose appropriate civilian occupations, and academic or
adjustment counseling to help individuals overcome challenges that impede success
in the workplace.
Interested individuals can download an application at
http://www.vba.va.gov/pubs/forms/VBA-28-8832-ARE.pdf.

Veterans Upward Bound Project
http://www.ed.gov/programs/triovub/index.html
The Department of Education’s Veterans Upward Bound projects provide general
instruction, education/counseling for financial and economic literacy academic
counseling, mentoring, application assistance, and entrant exam assistance to U.S.
veterans. To find Veteran Upward Bound Projects in your area, reference the VUB
locator at http://navub.org/.
Non-Governmental Resources

211.org
2-1-1 provides free and confidential information and referrals for help with food,
housing, employment, health care, counseling and more.
http://nfdh.org/joomla_nfdh/content/view/24/47/

Freecycle
Freecycle is a nonprofit grassroots that has a global membership network of
approximately 6,937,000 individuals that post and trade things for free online in
order to reduce waste and connect individuals with needed resources.
http://www.freecycle.org

Modest Needs
Modest Needs is a non-profit organization that reaches out to hard-working
individuals and families who suddenly find themselves faced with small, emergency
expenses that they have no way to afford on their own.
http://www.modestneeds.org

Prosper
Prosper, a peer-to-peer lending service, allows interested investors and individuals
in search of loans to connect online.
http://www.prosper.com

Together RX
Together RX provides individuals without prescription coverage with saving on
needed medicines.
http://www.togetherrxaccess.com

Ways to Work
Ways to Work is a loan program specifically for low-income families in need of a car
or car repair, who do not qualify for conventional loans.
http://www.waystowork.org/pages/l_directory.html