The challenges brought to the world by the pandemic were seen by people and businesses alike. The surge of Covid-19 brought a lot of government assistance programs to light. Even before that, many government grant and assistance programs were going into overdrive to support people. Here are some government assistance programs in 2021.
Unemployment Insurance (UI) and COVID-19 Benefits
Through this program, the Federation and State have joined hands to develop a program that benefits unemployed people by paying a portion of their wages. If you lost your job for any reason other than your personal negligence, then this program is for you. Individual States in the USA run this program, and each of them has different eligibility criteria and requirements.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC)
Through this program, the benefits of UI were extended to benefit deserving people. This was actually an emergency program complementary to UI. This program extends the unemployment benefits offered by UI by 53 weeks.
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
The Federal Government started this program to help people that lost their job because of the pandemic. Those who were eligible for this program received an extra $300/week in addition to their usual unemployment benefits.
Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program
This is another joint effort of the Federal Government and the State. It was created on 8th August 2020 and offered $300-$400/week to eligible candidates.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits
This program pays people that cannot work for a minimum of one year due to severe health conditions. It also applies to people who are expected to die of a severe illness and cannot be expected to work because of that. Using this program, the claimants get an increased monthly income (possibly tax-free), rehab, back-to-work incentives, and more.
To benefit from this government assistance, you must
• Have worked long enough in a job or a job covered by social security.
• Meet social security’s definition of disability.
Welfare or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
This program is funded by the Federal Government and helps needy families. This allows families to get back to their feet by providing jobs to qualified candidates. Qualified recipients also get help in the form of housing, childcare, food, energy, and job training until they are back on their feet.
Disaster Unemployment Assistance
Your job or self-employment must have been lost or disrupted due to a catastrophic disaster declared by the President of the United States to be eligible for this benefit. Also, you must have been ruled ineligible for standard unemployment compensation benefits (under any state or federal law).
Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
Medicaid is a federal-state program to help people with a low income.
CHIP helps children get the necessary medical attention that they need. The family of the child must meet the following conditions to qualify for CHIP:
• An income that is too high for Medicaid.
• An income that is too low to afford private college.
Ending Note
The people working for the government who create such programs are the unsung heroes of the country. They should get the praise and appreciation that they deserve. It should be public knowledge for the people who are suffering that their government has not forsaken them.
