Public welfare programs such as SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid may be some of the first things that come to mind when you think of government assistance. However, beyond such programs with income requirements, there are many actual freebies offered by the federal government.
Some of these may put money directly in your pocket or food on your table. And there’s a high likelihood that at least one of the following benefits can help you. Let’s take a look.
Help finding lost wages or retirement plans
Just like when you find a $5 bill in an old coat pocket, money can fall through the cracks — except sometimes it’s more than pocket change. The government can help too.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) offers a Workers Owed Wages (WOW) online search tool that can help you find and recover unpaid wages. Meanwhile, the DOL’s Retirement Savings Lost and Found Database can help you relocate retirement plan benefits.
The U.S. General Services Administration helps Americans find lost money that’s not connected to retirement accounts.
Unclaimed property — defined as money you did not collect that is owed to you by a business, financial institution or the government — can be found through certain state websites.
Handy calculators
Math is one of the worst parts of personal financial management. Thankfully, the government has created several calculators you can use for free. Some include the following:
- Compound interest calculator
- Required minimum distribution (RMD) calculator
- Currency exchange rates converter
The Social Security Administration also has several calculators, such as a retirement age calculator and a Social Security benefit estimator.
Consumer financial guides galore
You don’t have to hire a financial advisor to get basic advice. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) provides a number of free financial guides.
Some include guidance on what to do when you’re behind on bills, how to navigate tax season and financial wellness for older adults.
Access to federal recreation sites
Appreciating nature doesn’t have to be pricey. Most National Park Service sites don’t charge for admission.
And if you’re hoping to visit one that does, some federal recreation sites, including those of the National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service, have fee-free days throughout the year.
Certain groups — including military personnel and their families, people who are permanently disabled and fourth-grade students — can get in for free anywhere at any time.
Mushrooms
National forests aren’t just great for outdoor exploration and fresh air. You can also take home some free food.
How much you can harvest for personal use will vary across different national forests. And you will need a permit, which is free. Check with the local ranger district for what’s allowed at the park you plan to visit.
Tax return preparation
Tax season. The time of year most of us don’t look forward to. However, there are free federal programs that help make tax time easier, at least for certain people.
The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax return preparation. People who fit one of the following criteria can qualify for it:
- Make $69,000 per year or less
- Be disabled
- Speak a limited amount of English
The IRS’s Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program assists those at least 60 years of age and is particularly helpful to those with questions about pensions and retirement-related issues.
Help with child car seats
Car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers ages 1 to 4. But that protection isn’t as effective if a car seat isn’t installed or used correctly.
Although most parents may think installing a car seat is relatively straightforward, about half of car seats are actually installed incorrectly.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has an online tool that can help caregivers determine which car seat is ideal for the child in their care.
The NHTSA also hosts National Seat Check Saturday once a year. During this time, the NHTSA installs car seat check stations around the country where professionals can show caregivers how to properly install and use car seats.
You don’t have to wait for a special day to get your car seat checked, though. Use the car seat inspection finder to look for a virtual inspection or to connect with a certified technician who will check your car seat for free.
Military funeral honors and memorials
Veterans typically don’t receive funeral honors or grave memorial markers automatically; however, they’re all eligible to receive such honors upon request.
The free funeral honors include the playing of “Taps,” the presentation of a U.S. flag and a detail of uniformed military personnel. The memorials veterans are eligible for include:
- Headstones, markers, medallions, plaques and urns
- A burial flag
- A presidential memorial certificate
Job training and resources
The government’s employment assistance goes beyond a school’s career center.
The U.S. Department of Labor will help Americans write resumes, prepare for interviews, pay for job training and more.
Some demographic-specific assistance programs include the Senior Community Service Employment Program (which gives seniors job training through public service), GetMyFuture for young adults and the Ticket to Work Program for Americans with disabilities.
Housing counseling
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has free services to make the homebuying process easier for certain Americans.
HUD-sponsored housing counseling agencies can provide advice on buying a home, renting, default, foreclosure avoidance, credit issues or reverse mortgages free of charge.
Agencies participating in HUD’s Housing Counseling Program are legally not allowed to charge for foreclosure prevention counseling and homeless counseling services.
There’s also a free hotline with housing experts that operates around the clock: (888) 995-HOPE (4673).
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