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Benefits.gov — Benefit Finder

Benefits & Social Security

Find government benefits you may qualify for based on your situation. Covers over 1,000 federal, state, and local programs.

Difficulty Level

Easy — Most people can do this

Senior Tip

Many seniors miss out on benefits they qualify for. The Benefit Finder takes 10 minutes and may find programs you didn't know existed — like heating assistance, food programs, or phone discounts.

How to Get Started

1

Go to benefits.gov

Type benefits.gov in your browser. This is the official government benefit finder.

2

Click "Start the Benefit Finder"

The questionnaire takes about 10 minutes. Answer honestly for the most accurate results.

3

Answer questions about your situation

Questions cover your age, income, living situation, veteran status, and any disabilities.

4

Review your results

The tool shows every federal and state program you may qualify for, with links to apply.

Common Tasks You Can Do Online

Find all benefits you qualify for

benefits.gov > Benefit Finder > Start questionnaire

Search for specific benefits

benefits.gov > Browse by Category or State

Find food assistance (SNAP)

benefits.gov > Search "SNAP" or "food assistance"

Find heating/energy assistance

benefits.gov > Search "LIHEAP" or "energy assistance"

Find housing assistance

benefits.gov > Search "housing" or "Section 8"

Troubleshooting

Results show programs I don't qualify for

The tool shows programs you MAY qualify for. Each result links to detailed eligibility requirements.

Can't find a specific program

Use the search bar at the top. Try different keywords — for example, "food" instead of "SNAP".

Don't want to share personal info online

Benefits.gov doesn't store your answers or require an account. Your information is not saved.

Need help applying for a benefit

Each benefit listing includes a link to the application. Many programs also have phone numbers for application help.

Accessibility & Phone Help

Benefits.gov is fully accessible and works with screen readers. No phone support, but each listed benefit has its own contact information.

Related Benefits & Social Security Services

Safety Reminder

Always check that the website address ends in .gov before entering personal information. Never share your Social Security number, Medicare number, or bank details in response to an unsolicited email, call, or text.