Federal Assistance Programs

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) The FNS administers the nutrition assistance programs of the United States Department of Agriculture and provides children and needy families better access to food and a more healthful diet through its food assistance programs and comprehensive nutrition education efforts. The FNS manages a variety of programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly the Food Stamp Program).

The Finance Project Information Resource Center The Finance Project's Information Resource Center provides users access to a wealth of information on policies, programs and financing strategies for initiatives striving to improve the lives of children, families and communities.

Medicare and Medicaid

Medicaid Medicaid is an entitlement program that pays for medical assistance for certain individuals and families with low income and resources. Military families with a disabled member who is qualified to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments or struggling with the cost of care can apply for Medicaid. Medicaid may provide eligible military families with benefits over and above those offered by TRICARE, although it will be necessary for them to reapply upon each move to another state. The Medicaid website provides an overview of the program and information on Medicaid coding, Medicaid enrollment and coverage, Medicaid initiatives, and the Medicaid integrity program, as well as how to receive prescription drugs through Medicaid. The website also allows users to browse information related to Medicaid by provider type and by special topic.

Medicare Medicare is the basic health insurance program for Americans age sixty-five and older and many people with disabilities. People qualify for Medicare based on the Medicare tax they paid through their work. Workers' spouses, minor children, and adult disabled children may also be covered. Medicare coverage is automatic upon reaching age sixty-five, but people who are on Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) must wait two years before they can be covered. The Medicare website provides a wealth of information on the program, benefits and billing (among other topics).

Medicare.gov Medicare.gov is the official government site for Medicare. The website contains basic information on the program, a resource locator, a "manage your health" application, and links to help and support.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicaid State Waiver Demonstration Projects As a result of the Social Security Act, states are allowed flexibility in operating Medicaid programs through research and demonstration projects, managed care and freedom of choice waivers, and home- and community-based services waivers.  The CMS Medicaid State Waiver Demonstration Project website provides an overview of these demonstration projects and waivers, information for consumers, and a listing of the current projects and waivers by state.

Families USA Families USA is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans. The Families USA website contains links and publications related Medicaid and Medicare.

Kaiser Family Foundation The Kaiser Family Foundation is a nonprofit, private foundation focusing on the major health-care issues facing the United States, including the US role in global health policy. The Kaiser Family Foundation serves as a nonpartisan source of facts, information and analysis for policymakers, the media, the health-care community, and the public. The Kaiser Family Foundation website contains basic overviews, discussions of the program's impact, enrollment information, services covered, and financing for the Medicaid and Medicare programs.

Social Security

Social Security Administration (SSA) The SSA delivers social security services through a nationwide network of over 1,400 offices that include regional offices, field offices, card centers, teleservice centers, processing centers, hearing offices, the Appeals Council, and state and territorial partners. Included on the SSA website are sections detailing the history of the Social Security Act, legislation and Congressional affairs related to Social Security, sections of the Social Security Act that relate to pay and allowances of the uniformed Services, international SSA operations, a local office search tool, and benefits for grandchildren.

Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI) SSI is a federal income supplement program, funded by general tax revenues, designed to help the aged, blind and people with disabilities who have little or no income. The program does so by providing money to meet basic needs for food, clothing and shelter. Included on the SSA website for SSI is a section devoted to special SSI rules for children of military personnel living overseas.

The Finance Project Information Resource Center The Finance Project is a specialized nonprofit research, consulting, technical assistance, and training firm for public and private sector leaders nationwide. The Finance Project Information Resource Center provides information about SSI at their website.

Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) Many states have services for children with special health-care needs that are funded by the MCHB Block Grant, also known as Title V. States use Title V funding for a variety of maternal and child health-related programs. They include providing rehabilitation services for blind and disabled individuals under age sixteen receiving SSI payments, to the extent medical assistance for such services is not provided under Medicaid. State departments of health websites and local health departments will be able to provide information on state health benefits for children with special health-care needs. The MCHB website has Title V information, organized by state, that provides Title V points of contact and other pertinent information.

National Health Law Program The National Health Law Program is a national public interest law firm that seeks to improve health care for America's working and unemployed poor, minorities, the elderly, and people with disabilities. The National Health Law Program serves legal services programs, community-based organizations, the private bar, health-care providers, and individuals who work to preserve a health-care safety net for the millions of uninsured or underinsured low-income people.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program

Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) The FNS administers the nutrition assistance programs of the United States Department of Agriculture and provides children and needy families better access to food and a more healthful diet through its food assistance programs and comprehensive nutrition education efforts. The FNS manages a variety of programs, including the WIC program. Included on the WIC website are links to frequently asked questions.

Department of Defense (DoD) WIC Overseas Program The DoD offers the WIC Overseas Program to eligible participants living overseas. The WIC Overseas Program provides service members and their families with several important benefits such as nutritious food, tips on how to prepare balanced meals, nutrition and health screenings, and access to other resources that help service members and their families lead healthier lives.

Department of Agriculture WIC Works Resource System The WIC Works Resource System is an online education and training center for staff of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for WIC and delivers resources to WIC staff.