Scam-safe help
Free Help You Never Pay For: Benefits That Are Free to Apply For
Official programs that cost nothing to apply for, and how to spot people who charge for what's free.
Email me updatesBy the ForLowerBills team · Last updated: October 14, 2026 · Sources checked: October 14, 2026
No paid links on this page. Every program we mention is free to apply for. ForLowerBills.com is an independent website, not a government agency. How we make money.
If someone asks you to pay to apply for a government benefit, slow down. The programs below are free to apply for through official channels, and free, trustworthy help is available for most of them. We link only to official sites so you can go straight to the source.
Food and health coverage
- SNAP (food assistance): apply through your state agency. USDA SNAP state directory (opens in a new tab)
- WIC: food, nutrition support and breastfeeding help for pregnant and postpartum women, infants and children under 5. USDA: Apply for WIC (opens in a new tab)
- Medicaid and CHIP: free or low-cost coverage; children often qualify even when parents don't. InsureKidsNow.gov (opens in a new tab) or call 1-877-543-7669.
- Marketplace health insurance: apply at HealthCare.gov (opens in a new tab) or your state's marketplace. Free local help is available there.
- Medicare Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs: help with drug costs and premiums. Medicare.gov: Help with drug costs (opens in a new tab). Free counseling from your SHIP (opens in a new tab).
Phone, internet and energy bills
- Lifeline: up to $9.25 a month off phone or internet for eligible households. Apply at LifelineSupport.org (opens in a new tab) or through a participating provider. FCC: Lifeline (opens in a new tab)
- LIHEAP: help with heating and cooling bills, energy crises and some repairs. ACF: LIHEAP (opens in a new tab)
- Weatherization Assistance Program: free energy-saving home upgrades for eligible households. Energy.gov: WAP (opens in a new tab)
- ACP has ended. The Affordable Connectivity Program ended on June 1, 2024. The FCC warns about websites still collecting sign-ups for it. FCC: ACP (opens in a new tab)
Scam-safe benefits checklist
Tick items as you go. Your ticks stay on this page only; we don't save them.
Before you apply
Programs to check
From ForLowerBills.com · General information only, not legal, medical, tax or financial advice.
Income, school and taxes
- Social Security, SSI and disability: applying is free through Social Security. SSA (opens in a new tab)
- FAFSA: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is free. StudentAid.gov: FAFSA (opens in a new tab)
- Free tax help: the IRS's VITA and TCE programs offer free basic tax preparation. The IRS says many VITA sites serve people who generally make about $70,244 or less, people with disabilities and limited-English speakers; TCE focuses on people 60 and older. IRS: Free tax return preparation (opens in a new tab)
- Unemployment benefits: run by your state, free to file. USA.gov: Unemployment benefits (opens in a new tab)
Free places to find more help
- 211: call 211, or visit 211.org (opens in a new tab), to reach local help with bills, food and housing.
- USA.gov Benefit Finder: answer a few questions to see federal benefits you may qualify for. USA.gov Benefit Finder (opens in a new tab)
- Eldercare Locator: services for older adults and caregivers at 1-800-677-1116. eldercare.acl.gov (opens in a new tab)
Red flags: when "help" is a scam
The FTC says government agencies will never call, email, text or message you on social media to ask for money or personal information. No government agency will demand payment by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency or a payment app.
- Someone charges a fee to "guarantee" you a benefit or grant.
- A caller says your benefits or Social Security number will be suspended unless you pay now.
- You're told to pay with a gift card, wire transfer, crypto or a payment app.
- Caller ID shows a government name. Caller ID can be faked, so hang up and call the agency at a number you know is real.
- A website still offers ACP sign-ups.
Get updates: Free Help You Never Pay For
Related guides
FAQ
Is it ever okay to pay someone to help me apply for benefits?
Some lawyers and accredited representatives charge for certain appeals, but applying for the programs on this page is free, and free help is available. Be wary of anyone who charges upfront or "guarantees" approval.
Is the Affordable Connectivity Program coming back?
The FCC says ACP ended on June 1, 2024 because of a lack of additional funding from Congress. Lifeline is still available to eligible households.
How do I know a website is official?
Federal sites usually end in .gov. When in doubt, start at USA.gov and follow its links to the agency.
What should I do if I already paid a scammer?
Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you shared personal information, visit IdentityTheft.gov for recovery steps. If you paid with a gift card, contact the card company right away.
Disclaimers
General information only, not legal, medical, tax or financial advice.
- ForLowerBills.com is an independent website. We are not a government agency, a law firm or a debt-relief company, and we don't charge for any of this information.
- Programs, income limits and rules change. Always confirm the current details on the official site before you act.
Read our full affiliate disclosure (How we make money).
We hope this helps. — the ForLowerBills team