Stories from the team

Medicare vs Medicaid in plain language: who each covers, how to qualify, how to have both, and programs that help pay Medicare costs.

Denied Texas Child Care Services? Learn why applications are rejected, how to request a review, what documents to gather, and where to find help while you wait.

Explore 14 New Jersey benefits programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, tax credits, child care assistance, and special education support. Learn who may qualify and where to apply.

Explore 14 New Mexico benefits programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, tax credits, child care assistance, and special education support. Learn who may qualify and where to apply.

Explore 14 Ohio benefits programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, HEAP, TANF, tax credits, child care assistance, and special education support. Learn who may qualify and where to apply.

Explore 14 New York benefits programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, HEAP, TANF, tax credits, child care assistance, and special education support. Learn who may qualify and where to apply.

Explore 14 Montana benefits programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, tax credits, child care assistance, and education support. Learn who runs each program, who may qualify, and where to apply.

Living in Alaska and not sure what help you qualify for? This guide walks through 14 benefits programs, from SNAP and Medicaid to heating assistance and tax credits, and shows exactly where to apply for each one.

Not sure which Arizona benefits you qualify for or where to start? This guide covers 14 programs, from AHCCCS and Nutrition Assistance to SSDI, child care help, and tax credits, and tells you exactly where to apply for each one.

Arkansas offers help with income, health coverage, food, energy bills, taxes, and child care, but knowing where to start is the hard part. This guide walks through 14 benefits programs, what each one covers, and exactly where Arkansas residents apply for each.

Not sure where to start with help in Alabama? This guide covers 14 benefits programs, from SSDI and Medicaid to SNAP, LIHEAP, and child care, and shows you where to apply for each.

Living in California and not sure what help you can get? This guide walks through 14 benefits programs, from Medi-Cal and CalFresh to SSDI and tax credits, and shows you where to apply for each one.

Living in Colorado and not sure what help you qualify for? This guide covers 14 benefits programs, from Health First Colorado and SNAP to LEAP, tax credits, child care, and disability income, and shows you where to apply for each one.

Delaware residents can get help with food, health coverage, utility bills, child care, and income, but knowing where to start is the hard part. This plain-language guide covers 14 benefits programs, what each one does, and exactly where to apply.

Not sure which Florida benefits you qualify for or where to apply? This guide covers 14 programs, from SSDI and Medicaid to SNAP and child care help, with plain-language steps and official links to get started.

Not sure which Georgia benefits you qualify for or where to even start? This guide walks through 14 programs, from SNAP and Medicaid to SSDI, child care help, and tax credits, and shows you exactly where to apply for each one.

Not sure where to start with benefits in Hawaii? This guide walks you through 14 programs, from Med-QUEST and SNAP to SSDI and tax credits, explains what each one helps with, and points you to the exact place to apply.

Idaho offers 14 benefits programs that can help with income, health coverage, food, heating bills, tax credits, child care, and special education. This guide explains what each one does and where Idaho residents can apply.

Illinois offers help with food, health coverage, disability income, energy bills, child care, and more. This guide walks through 14 benefits programs, what each one covers, and exactly where Illinois residents can apply, so you know where to start.

Living in Indiana and not sure what help you qualify for? This guide walks through 14 benefits programs, from SSDI and Medicaid to SNAP, energy assistance, and child care, with a plain-language look at what each one does and where to apply.

Iowa offers benefits programs for income, health coverage, food, energy bills, tax credits, and child care, but knowing where to start is the hard part. This guide walks through 14 programs, what each one helps with, and exactly where to apply.

Money tight or health changed? Connecticut has help you may not know about. Our new guide covers 14 benefits programs in plain language, from HUSKY and SNAP to SSDI and Care 4 Kids, with exactly where to apply for each one. You don't have to sort through it alone.

Kansas offers more help than most people realize, from KanCare and Food Assistance to SSDI, LIEAP, and tax credits. This guide walks through 14 benefits programs in plain language and shows Kansans exactly where to apply for each one.

Living in Kentucky and not sure what help you qualify for? This guide walks through 14 benefits programs, from SSDI and Medicaid to SNAP, LIHEAP, and child care assistance, and shows you where to apply for each one.

Living in Louisiana and not sure what help you qualify for? This plain-language guide covers 14 benefits programs, from Medicaid and SNAP to SSDI, tax credits, and child care, with what each one does, how Louisiana runs it, and the official place to apply for each.

Wondering what help is out there in Maine? This guide walks through 14 benefits programs, from SSDI and MaineCare to SNAP, HEAP, and child care aid, explains what each one does, and shows you exactly where to apply.

Explore 14 Nebraska benefits programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, tax credits, child care assistance, and education support. Learn who may qualify, where to apply, and which programs start through iServe Nebraska.

Explore 14 New Hampshire benefits programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, tax credits, child care assistance, and education support. Learn who may qualify, where to apply, and when to use NH EASY.

Not sure which Maryland benefits you might qualify for? This guide walks through 14 programs, from SSDI and Medicaid to SNAP, energy help, and child care scholarships, and shows you exactly where to apply for each one.

Not sure which Massachusetts benefits you qualify for? This guide walks through 14 programs, from MassHealth and SNAP to SSDI and fuel assistance, and shows exactly where to apply for each.

Explore 14 Nevada benefits programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, tax credits, child care assistance, and education support. Learn who may qualify, where to apply, and how Access Nevada and Nevada Health Link can help.

Explore 14 North Carolina benefits programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, tax credits, child care assistance, and special education support. Learn who may qualify and where to apply.

Explore 14 North Dakota benefits programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, tax credits, child care assistance, and special education support. Learn who may qualify and where to apply.

Minnesota offers benefits programs for income, health coverage, food, energy bills, tax credits, child care, and school support. This guide explains 14 of them in plain language and shows exactly where to apply for each.

Explore 14 Oklahoma benefits programs, including SoonerCare, SNAP, WIC, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, tax credits, child care assistance, and education support. Learn who may qualify, where to apply, and which programs start through OKDHSLive or MySoonerCare.

Explore 14 Oregon benefits programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, tax credits, child care assistance, and special education support. Learn who may qualify, where to apply, and how ONE.Oregon.gov can help.

Michigan offers help with health care, food, cash, utilities, child care, and more, but knowing where to start is the hard part. This guide walks through 14 benefits programs, what each one covers, and exactly where Michigan residents can apply.

Mississippi offers real help with health care, food, utility bills, child care, and more. This guide walks through 14 benefits programs, what each one does, and exactly where Mississippi residents can apply.

Missouri offers real help with health care, food, utility bills, child care, and more. This guide walks through 14 benefits programs, what each one does, and exactly where Missouri residents can apply.

Explore 14 Pennsylvania benefits programs, including Medical Assistance, SNAP, WIC, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, tax credits, Child Care Works, and education support. Learn who may qualify, where to apply, and how COMPASS can help you get started.

Explore 14 Rhode Island benefits programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, SSI, LIHEAP, RI Works, tax credits, child care assistance, and education support. Learn who may qualify, where to apply, and how HealthyRhode can help you get started.

Explore 14 South Carolina benefits programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, tax credits, child care assistance, and education support. Learn who may qualify, where to apply, and which agency can help you get started.

Explore 14 South Dakota benefits programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, tax credits, child care assistance, and education support. Learn who may qualify, where to apply, and how the DSS BEES portal can help you get started.

Explore 14 Texas benefits programs, including Medicaid, CHIP, SNAP, WIC, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, tax credits, child care assistance, and education support. Learn who may qualify, where to apply, and how Your Texas Benefits can help you get started.

Explore 14 Tennessee benefits programs, including TennCare, SNAP, WIC, SSI, LIHEAP, Families First, tax credits, child care assistance, and education support. Learn who may qualify, where to apply, and how One DHS or TennCare Connect can help you get started.

Explore 14 Washington benefits programs, including Apple Health, Basic Food, WIC, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, tax credits, child care assistance, and education support. Learn who may qualify, where to apply, and how Washington Connection or Healthplanfinder can help you get started.

Explore 14 West Virginia benefits programs, including Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, SSI, LIEAP, WV WORKS, tax credits, child care assistance, and education support. Learn who may qualify, where to apply, and how WV PATH can help you get started.

Explore 14 Wisconsin benefits programs, including BadgerCare Plus, FoodShare, WIC, SSI, WHEAP energy assistance, Wisconsin Works, tax credits, Wisconsin Shares, and education support. Learn who may qualify, where to apply, and how ACCESS Wisconsin can help you get started.

See what government benefits you may be eligible for and how Radar, Turnout's free benefits scan, shows your options in about three minutes.

Does Medicaid transfer to another state? No. See how Stephanie closed her coverage gap after moving from Georgia to New York, plus a step-by-step checklist.

Did the IRS deny or reduce your Child Tax Credit? Learn how to respond to the notice, submit proof, request an appeal, use Form 8862, and find free tax help.

Got an IRS letter questioning or denying your EITC? Learn how to respond by the deadline, submit proof, appeal the decision, use Form 8862, and find free tax help.

TANF denied, reduced, or stopped? Learn how to find your hearing deadline, request an appeal in writing, ask about continued benefits, gather supporting records, and get help while you wait.

Disagree with a Marketplace decision? Learn which notices you can appeal, how to meet the 90-day deadline, file online, by mail, or by fax, request an expedited review, and gather the proof you need.

Denied LIHEAP or waiting too long for a decision? Learn how to request a fair hearing, meet your state’s deadline, gather the right documents, seek crisis energy help, and find other bill assistance through 2-1-1 and your utility.

Denied or removed from WIC? Learn how to request a fair hearing, meet the 60-day deadline, keep benefits during an appeal, gather evidence, and find food help through SNAP or 2-1-1 while you wait.

Got a SNAP denial, cut, or stop notice? You can ask for a fair hearing, usually within 90 days, and may keep your benefits during the appeal. Here's how to ask, what to bring, and mistakes to avoid.

Your Medicaid was denied, ended, or cut back. You have the right to a fair hearing. Learn where to find your deadline, how to ask for a hearing step by step, and how to keep your coverage while you wait for a decision.

A Medicare denial isn't the final word. Learn why claims, services, and drugs get denied, your appeal deadline (120 or 65 days), and the step-by-step process for Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Part D.

Learn whether Child Care Assistance can pay a relative to watch your children, which family members may qualify, what approval requirements apply, and how payments and copayments work.

Learn who qualifies for Child Care Assistance in 2026, including child age requirements, work or school rules, state income limits, 12-month eligibility, waitlists, and possible copayments.

Learn how families with little or no income may qualify for the refundable Child Tax Credit, including the $2,500 earned-income requirement, ACTC refund limits, and how to claim the credit.

Who Qualifies for the Child Tax Credit? Income and SSN Rules

Learn who qualifies for the 2026 Child Tax Credit, including age, income, residency, and Social Security number requirements. Find out how much you may claim and what happens if your child does not qualify.

Find out when to expect your EITC refund, why the IRS holds refunds until mid-February, how the PATH Act affects timing, and how to track your payment using Where’s My Refund.

Learn who qualifies for the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit, including income limits, qualifying children, investment income rules, Social Security number requirements, and how much the credit may be worth.

Learn whether you can receive TANF with SNAP or SSI, how the programs affect one another, and why SSI recipients may qualify for TANF through a child-only case for their family.

How Much Does TANF Pay? Monthly Amounts Compared by State

Find out how much TANF may pay each month, why benefit amounts differ by state, how your income and family size affect your payment, and where to check your exact state benefit.

Learn the 2027 ACA open enrollment dates, what happens if you miss the deadline, and how qualifying life events or Medicaid may help you get health coverage outside open enrollment.

ACA Open Enrollment for 2027: Key Dates and Special Enrollment Periods

Learn the 2027 ACA open enrollment dates, what happens if you miss the deadline, and how qualifying life events or Medicaid may help you get coverage outside open enrollment.

Find out when LIHEAP opens, why applications may close when funding runs out, and how crisis assistance can help with shutoffs, empty fuel tanks, or broken heating during the winter.

Who Qualifies for LIHEAP? 2026 Income Limits

Learn who qualifies for LIHEAP in 2026, how household income and size affect eligibility, and how SNAP, SSI, or TANF may help you qualify automatically. Find out what to do if your income is close to the limit.

Yes, you can receive WIC and SNAP at the same time. Learn how SNAP can help you qualify for WIC, what each program covers, whether WIC affects your SNAP benefits, and what to do if your SNAP ends.

Learn who qualifies for WIC in 2026, including pregnancy, postpartum, breastfeeding, infants, and children under 5. This guide explains income limits, household size, unborn children, nutrition risk, and how Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF can help you qualify.

Most adults 18 to 64 without a child under 14 must work or train 20 hours a week to keep SNAP past three months. See who's covered, what counts, what changed in 2025, and who's exempt.

Estimate your monthly SNAP benefit using the new FY 2027 maximums. Take the maximum for your household size and subtract about 30% of your net income.

Starting with renewals on or after December 31, 2026, adults in the Medicaid expansion group will renew every six months. Here's how renewal works, who's affected, and how to keep your coverage.

In most expansion states, adults can earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level and still qualify for Medicaid in 2026. Learn how states set limits, what counts as income, and how to check yours.

How to apply for child care assistance in California: how to find your county program, what you'll pay, and how to get started

How to apply for CCAP in Texas: where to submit your application and the one requirement you need to know before you start.

Child Tax Credit in California and what it means for you.

Medicaid work requirements are coming in 2027. Here's what the new federal law means for your coverage.

SNAP eligibility explained: income limits, household rules, and how to tell if you qualify for food stamps

What can you buy with SNAP benefits? The full list of what's covered — and what's not.

How to apply for WIC: what to bring, what happens at your appointment, and how fast you can get benefits.

How much does CCAP pay — and what will your copay actually be? Here's what approved families need to know.

How to apply for child care assistance — and whether your current provider qualifies for payment.

No kids? Self-employed? You may still qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Here's what most people get wrong.

How much is the Earned Income Tax Credit worth? Here's what you could get back this tax season.

TANF work requirements and time limits explained — what every recipient needs to know before benefits start.

TANF benefits can be used for more than you think. Here's a full breakdown of what's covered.

LIHEAP crisis grants can restore your heat or cooling fast. Here's how to ask for emergency help before it's too late.

How much does the Child Care Assistance Program actually pay? Here's what families can expect.

A list of grocery items you can get with WIC.

How LIHEAP works: what the energy assistance program covers and how the money gets to your utility bill.

How to apply for WIC in California: how to sign up, what to expect at your appointment, and what you get after.

How to apply for WIC in Texas: how to book your appointment, what to bring, and what you get after.

How to claim the Child Tax Credit for 2025: what to file, how much you can get, and what changed under the new federal law.

The Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child under age 17. That amount is now permanent, set by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed in July 2025, and it adjusts for inflation in the years after 2025. So the $2,200 you can claim on the return you file in early 2026 carries forward into 2026 and beyond. That's the headline number. The harder question is whether you'll see any of it as cash. The answer depends on how much tax you owe, and this guide walks you through it in pla

Child Tax Credit vs. Child Care Credit: what each one covers and how to claim both on your tax return.

How to claim the Child Tax Credit: what to file, how Schedule 8812 works, and where to get free help.

California Earned Income Tax Credit: how to claim both CalEITC and the federal EITC in one tax season.

CalWORKs explained: how California's cash assistance program works, who qualifies, and what most families don't know to ask for.

How to apply for Texas benefits: online, by phone, or in person — and what to bring before you start.

How to apply for LIHEAP in Texas: call 2-1-1, find your local agency, and what to expect next.

How LIHEAP pays your energy bill: what the benefit covers, how much you can get, and what else to apply for.

How to apply for WIC in California: where to start, what to bring, and what you get after your appointment.

How to apply for WIC in Texas: what to bring, what happens at your appointment, and what loads onto your card.

What the Lone Star Card is, how long it takes, and why your start date matters.

If you've already learned you qualify for CalFresh, the hard part you might be dreading is the application itself. Here's the good news up front: applying is more straightforward than the eligibility maze you just got through, and you can start today. CalFresh is California's name for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the program most people still call food stamps. It's the same benefit, just a different label. Once you're approved, your monthly amount loads onto a G

How to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit: no separate application, just your tax return — here's exactly what to file.