Cash Assistance & Tax Credits

Direct cash programs and the refundable tax credits that put money back in working families' pockets.

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Your next step. The free TANF screening guide helps you find your state's cash-assistance rules and application route without guessing a payment amount. All tools →

Money a company may owe you. See every open settlement and refund → Sorted by deadline, with who can claim and the official claim site.

This month: check dates, deadlines and freebies →

Not sure where to look? Use the free Money Finder → A few yes/no questions build your own checklist of official searches.

Guides

TANF: How State Cash Help Works and How to Apply

How state TANF cash help works, why payments and time limits differ by state, what papers to gather, and how to find your state or tribal office to apply free.

Child Tax Credit: 2025 Amount, Rules, and How to Claim It

See the 2025 Child Tax Credit amount, child and income rules, refundable limit, filing steps, and where to find free tax help.

Earned Income Tax Credit: 2025 Refund Rules for Working Families

The EITC can be worth up to $8,046 on 2025 tax returns. See income limits, child rules, and free filing help. The limit is not a promise of the full credit.

Unclaimed Money: How to Find and Claim Yours, for Free

A state may hold money in your name from an old account, check, refund, or deposit. Learn how to search and claim it for free through official sites.

General Assistance: Local Cash Help for Adults

Learn how county and state General Assistance may help adults, how it differs from TANF and SSI, what papers to gather, and how to find a local office.

How to Tell a Real Government Program From a Scam: A 2-Minute Check

Check a benefit offer through the real agency before you share money or private details. A .com or .org address alone does not make a program a scam.

Government Grant Scams: Red Flags and Safe Checks

Spot fake personal grant calls, texts, and social posts, learn what real federal grants fund, check an offer safely, and report money already lost.

State EITC: How an Extra State Tax Credit Works

Learn how state earned income tax credits work, what refundable means, how to check current state rules, and where to get free filing help.

Hardship Grants for Individuals: What Help Is Actually Real

Learn why there is no broad federal hardship grant for people and how to find real state cash aid, utility funds, school help, and local charity support.

Government Grants for Individuals: What's Real and What's Not

Real grants can help with school and certain home repairs. See examples, learn how grants differ from tax credits, and find safe places to apply.

Federal Poverty Guidelines: What FPL Means for Benefits

See the 2026 federal poverty guidelines, how household size changes the amount, how programs use FPL percentages, and which income figure to check.

Free Christmas Help for Families: How to Sign Up for Toys and Holiday Meals

Free Christmas toys and holiday meals come mostly from local charities. Some Angel Tree sign-ups close in October or sooner. Here is how to sign up now.

Amazon Prime Refund: Up to $200, Paid Automatically (2026)

Some Prime members may get an automatic Amazon refund of up to $200 total. No claim form, no receipts, no claim deadline. See who may qualify and when.

EBT Discounts 2026: $0–$5 Museums, Prime, Walmart+ and More

What EBT gets you in 2026: $0–$5 museums, Prime Access $6.99, Walmart+ $6.47, Lifeline up to $9.25 off, park passes in 3 states. No Netflix or Costco deal.

Lost Money the State Search Can Miss: Old Pensions, 401(k)s, a Parent's Life Insurance

Old pensions, 401(k)s, a late parent's life insurance, and FHA refunds may not show up in a state search. See the free PBGC, DOL, NAIC, HUD, and VA lookups.

New Tax Breaks Without Itemizing: $6,000 for Seniors, Tips, Overtime

People 65+ may deduct an extra $6,000. See the tip, overtime, car-loan, and charity tax breaks you can take without itemizing, and where to file free.

Is the $2,000 Tariff Check Real? What We Know About 2026 Payment Rumors

No $2,000 tariff check or $5,000 dividend is law as of Sept. 29, 2026. See which payments are real, which are only proposed, and where to check.

Is the IRS Holding a Tax Refund in Your Name? How to Check, and the Deadline

Skipped a tax return in a past year? The IRS may hold a refund for you. See how to check, the IRS date for tax year 2023, and where to get free help.

ATM Fee Settlement: Who Can Claim and How (Deadline Feb. 10)

Paid a fee at a non-bank ATM from 2007 to 2026? You may be able to claim part of a Visa and Mastercard deal. No receipts to file. Deadline Feb. 10, 2027.

Generic Drug Settlement: Who Can Claim (No Receipts)

Bought certain generic drugs from 2009 to 2019? You may be able to claim from state settlements. No receipts needed. Deadline March 8, 2027.

Is the Chick-fil-A Settlement Still Open? (No — Here's What Is)

No. The Chick-fil-A delivery settlement closed Feb. 15, 2024, and payments went out in June 2024. See who it covered and settlements open now.

Got an FTC Refund Check? How to Tell If It's Real

A check from the FTC can be real. The FTC never asks you to pay or give bank info to get a refund. How to check it, and who the FTC is paying now.

GoodRx Settlement: Who Can Claim and How (Deadline Dec. 29)

Used GoodRx before April 20, 2024? You may be able to file a claim in a $32 million privacy settlement. No receipts to file. Deadline Dec. 29, 2026.

Hyundai, Kia Airbag Settlement: How to Claim by April 8

Owned certain 2010-2023 Hyundai or Kia cars? Airbag settlement payments are "up to $350" (recalled) or $150. No receipts to file. Deadline April 8, 2027.

Apple iPhone Siri Settlement: How to Claim by Dec. 21

Bought an iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max or any iPhone 16 model in the U.S. from June 2024 to March 2025? See how to file. Deadline Dec. 21, 2026.

Black Friday on a Budget: EBT Discounts and Scam Tips

Shopping Black Friday or Cyber Monday on SNAP, Medicaid or SSI? Use the discounts made for you, and spot fake deals and delivery scams first.

Can I Get a Grant to Start a Business? The Honest Answer

The SBA does not give grants to start a business. What is real: a few research grants, free mentors, small loans, and private contests. Plus scam signs.

Equifax Hard Inquiry Settlement: Claim by Nov. 29

Disputed a hard inquiry with Equifax? A $30 million settlement may pay people who got a notice. File by Nov. 29, 2026 with your Claim Number and PIN.

Progress Residential FTC Settlement: No Claim Form Yet

Rented a home from Progress Residential? The companies will pay $48.5 million to the FTC for refunds. There is no claim form yet. Here's what to watch for.