How can I get assistance from the government to cover my debts?

If a person gets themselves into debt that becomes so burdensome that they are unable to make payments on it, they need to seek assistance. This assistance can come in several forms, one of which is debt mediation, another is through bankruptcy. There may be other private organizations designed to assist those in debt, particularly when the debt is unsecured. Those who are hoping for government debt assistance, however, will be sad to note that the government offers no such assistance.

There are no government assistance programs, loans or grants that are ready for people to use in order to pay off credit card (unsecured) debt. That having been said, the government does offer a host of assistance programs that can assist in other ways. The following is a list of some of the most popular government assistance programs in use currently.

For those retiring from work and who have earned enough through Social Security credits there is Social Security Retirement. This amount when received at the proscribed age assists those who are no longer working by providing them with a financial benefit.

Those who suffer from disabilities such as blindness and others which prevent them from being able to make a reasonable living can receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) from the government. This assistance programs is designed to provide them with the funds necessary to meet basic needs such as buying food, clothing and paying for shelter.

Medicare is another government sponsored program that provides health insurance to those over 65 years old. It is also available to some under that age who are disabled, and for those suffering from permanent kidney failure that is being treated by dialysis or a transplant.

Medicaid, similar to Medicare, in that it is a health insurance program offered by the government, only this program is for low-income families with no other insurance to cover them, or if the coverage they have is extremely inadequate.

All those who are part of the Medicare program are also entitled to the Medicare Prescription Drug Program. This benefits helps by lowering prescription drug costs and helping to keep these expenses low in the future.

In addition to these programs mentioned there are Stafford Student Loans available for undergraduate and graduate students alike; there are food stamp benefits for those low-income families who require nutritional assistance; Emergency Food Assistance (TEFAP) is another federal program for low-income families and elderly people.