How to Receive Welfare
Welfare is a broad term for public assistance obtained from state or federal government programs. The federal government has a welfare program known as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, which provides temporary assistance to families for up to two years. Individual states also offer their own public assistance programs such as food stamps, SSI, healthcare and child care assistance. Several requirements must be met for an individual to receive welfare.
Things You Will Need
- Phone
- Proof of income
- Specific reason for need
- ID
- Proof of residency
- Bank statements
- Social Security numbers for self and any dependent children
- Contact your local human service department and make an appointment with a case worker. Discuss the different types of assistance for which you could qualify. You may qualify for several forms of assistance, or only one or two.
- Find out and gather the specific information you will need to bring to the appointment with you.
- Attend the appointment you made with the caseworker. The case worker will require your proof of income or lack thereof, the specific reason you need public assistance at this time, your ID, bank statements, proof of residency such as utility bills and the names and Social Security numbers of children under the age of 18 living in your home.
- Fill out the paperwork necessary to file for public assistance. Your appointment with the caseworker will be lengthy so allow yourself a large block of time for giving information and filling out forms.
- Inquire as to the length of time it will take to find out if you qualify for public assistance.
- Call your welfare caseworker if you have not heard back in a reasonable amount of time.