We often take for granted the fact that we have food on our tables. It’s not like we’re not grateful for it, but we often dismiss the idea of how much it is a blessing. We may even find ourselves getting ‘bored’ of having similar food regularly. However, for many people out there, that would be an absolute privilege. For these people, having a warm meal on the table, especially if they can have it with their loved ones, can be an absolute delight. Things can be indeed out of reach for these people when they try to have fresh nutritious meals.

Thankfully, there are many organizations out there that try to help people struggling with nutritional security. Some of these organizations are governmental, others are private non-profit ones. There are really successful non-profit organizations that help out with nutritional security, such as Feeding America. There are also Facebook and GoFundMe campaigns going on all the time to help those struggling with food insecurity. But, the problem is far from solved. There are still many people who suffer from food insecurity. The COVID-19 pandemic, along with its economic implications definitely made the situation worse. In 2020, there were already around 38.3 million people in the US who struggled with food insecurity. It’s safe to assume the number is now larger.

That’s why the government has The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) in place. The whole idea is to find different ways to address the food insecurity situation.

What is TEFAP All About?

The government created The Emergency Food Assistance Program to help low-income Americans struggling with food insecurity by providing them with emergency food assistance for free. The part of the government responsible for funding the program is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA provides food and funds to local state governments under the TEFAP program. State governments then distribute the food to local approved agencies. These agencies will then distribute the food to soup kitchens and food pantries to serve the public.

The number of unemployed people within a state determines how much food USDA will provide that state with. Another factor that comes into play is the number of low-income families in the state. Besides local approved agencies, community action agencies may also receive food from state governments.

How Do Americans Qualify For The Emergency Food Assistance Program?

The government requires people to meet certain eligibility terms so they can provide them with the benefits of whatever program these people apply for. The same works for The Emergency Food Assistance Program.

For TEFAP, the main qualifying terms rely on the applicants’ income. Basically, an applicant must have an income that is not more than a certain maximum to receive TEFAP benefits. Often, states will compare an applicant’s income with the state median income. For example, the median income in Iowa is $32,693, but it’s $37,025 in New Hampshire. Obviously, for an applicant to be seen as ‘low-income’ by the government, their income must be below their state’s median income.

However, there is another way Americans may qualify for TEFAP. If people who wish to apply for TEFAP already qualify and are enrolled in certain federal assistance programs, they may qualify for TEFAP, regardless of their incomes. So, let’s take a look at these federal assistance programs, how they work, and how you may qualify for them.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Formerly known as “food stamps”, SNAP aims to help low-income families and individuals buy high-quality food. Being the largest program working to fight hunger in the U.S., SNAP is helping 9.5 million households and children across the country purchase food.

In 1990, paper food stamps were replaced with electronic benefits transfer (EBT) cards, which functioned similarly to debit cards and were linked to benefits accounts. It took until 2014 for paper stamps to be phased out completely. Every month, the EBT cards get refilled and can be used to buy food items in stores that accept them as a form of payment like grocery stores, gas stations, etc.

How To Qualify For SNAP

Anyone earning less than 130% of the federal poverty level is eligible for SNAP. In the federal fiscal year 2022, the poverty level used to calculate SNAP benefits is $1,830 per month for a household of three. Therefore, 130% of the poverty line is $2,379 per month or nearly $28,550 per year for a three-person household.

The poverty line is higher for larger families and lower for smaller ones. Besides, the amount of the benefit depends on the income and the size of a family and whether it involves an elderly or someone with a disability.

Also, the household assets or resources, such as bank accounts, must be lower than a specific amount. And lastly, this program is only available for US citizens and people with eligible immigration status. Make sure to check with your state SNAP office for the most up-to-date information on eligibility, since COVID-19 relief measures have eased some requirements.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) aims to help low-income families and individuals pay their energy bills. This program comes as a response to the risk of unsafe cooling and heating use. As goes with a lot of government assistance programs, this one is funded by the federal government. However, state governments decide the extent of benefits gotten from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). State governments may also require different qualifications to attain these benefits. There’s also a limited list of criteria in which the government will help Americans with their bills.

While help through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can differ from one state to another, you can generally expect help with bills when it comes to the following:

• Cooling and heating energy expenses.
• Utility bill assistance for low-income households.
• Home repairs and energy-related repairs
• Emergency support for energy-related practices

Many states will provide assistance with energy-related home repairs, which can include home weatherization. The reason why states will offer such services is to help low-income families decrease their recurring energy-related expenses. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) will usually focus on just energy-related repairs, not any repairs that have to do with water or sewage. However, there are some exceptions to the rule. For example, if you use water for your air conditioning, you could probably use the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for it.

Eligibility for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

According to Benefits.gov, “to be eligible for this benefit program, you must need financial assistance with home energy costs.” Which is another way of saying that you need to be strapped for cash to apply for it. This makes total sense since the whole idea is to help low-income individuals and families.

When it comes to calculating what it means to be low-income enough to qualify for Low-Income Energy Assistance Program, one must look at their household size. The math starts with a household of one person, and they must earn no more than $20,385 per year. That’s before tax. After that, you should add $7,080 for every additional person you have in the household. So for a household of 2 persons, it will be $20,385 + $7,080, which is $27,465. A household of three should make no more than $34,545. And so on.

Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF)

Under this program, the federal government provides state governments with $16.5 billion. Then, state governments take on the responsibility of running the program. Since state governments are the ones in control of the funds, they’re also in control of the qualifications and benefits that come with TANF. That means if you apply in Wyoming, you might be asked to fulfill different qualifications than if you apply in New York.

That arrangement also means that the federal government won’t just give families cash hand-outs directly. Instead, state governments supervise TANF applications and locate benefits as they see fit. State governments will also use TANF funds to finance services designed for those families to get back on their feet and achieve self-sufficiency. State governments, under TANF, aim to achieve the following goals:

• TANF provides assistance to families to help children grow up in their family homes. If not, children should grow up in their relatives’ homes.
• State governments will use TANF to promote job preparation, work, and marriage. That way, parents can stop relying on government assistance.
• The program also aims to decrease the rate of out-of-wedlock pregnancies.
• TANF focuses on developing and maintaining two-parent homes

Eligibility For TANF

Qualifications for TANF may vary from one state to the next. But, the main common factor is that TANF will focus on low-income families with children. So, regardless of differences between different states’ qualification differences, applicants must satisfy the following terms:

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families will only help low-income families
• Families that apply for TANF must include one or more children/dependents under the age of 18.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

The government created the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) to make monthly payments for Americans. The federal government, through the Supplemental Security Income (SSI), focuses on helping low-income Americans. However, the program focuses on a specific group of low-income Americans. That group includes only Americans who have physical limitations that get in the way of making a higher income.

Eligibility For SSI

It’s no surprise that the government would have a set of qualifications for people willing to give free hand-outs. Much like every other federal assistance program, applicants must fall within these eligibility qualifications to receive the program’s benefits.

• At least 65 years old or above, and/or;
• Have a physical disability that prevents you from having the ability to work that will last at least a year or result in death and/or blind
• Have limited income and resources
• Be a US citizen or an eligible immigrant
• Live in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands. The government will make exceptions for children of military parent(s) assigned to permanent duty anywhere outside the United States or certain students temporarily abroad.

More on Eligibility for SSI

Through this program, the government wants to help people with low incomes and valid reasons for not being able to make higher ones. Obviously, when applying for SSI, the government will require documents to prove these ‘reasons’. The three main criteria of challenges that hinder a person’s ability to make higher income that SSI will consider are old age, a physical disability that renders a person unable to work for at least a year, and blindness.

Moreover, the Social Security Administration will look at 2 things when they look over your application: your income and the things you own (a.k.a your resources). Your income includes things such as your wages, pension and social security benefits. Things such as food and shelter may also find their way into the equation.

When it comes to the things you own, SSA will look at your bank accounts, cash, stocks, and bonds. You may receive SSI money from SSA if your resources are worth less than $2,000. Also, if you’re applying for SSI as a couple, that resource limit may increase to $3,000.

Conclusion

If you’re struggling with food insecurity, TEFAP is a good way to get help from the government. What’s important with all government assistance programs is to make sure you qualify before you apply, to avoid wasting time and energy.  There are other programs that may be able to provide assistance as well! Make sure to check out everything that’s available besides TEFAP. It’s important to review multiple opportunities for support.