Benefits Navigator

Comprehensive guide to every major US government assistance program: SNAP, Medicaid, unemployment, LIHEAP, TANF, WIC, Section 8, Lifeline, SSDI, SSI, and more. Covers eligibility, application process, processing times, and approval tips for each program.

# Benefits Navigator

These programs exist for exactly your situation. You paid into this system through taxes. Using it is not failure — it is what the safety net is for. Billions of dollars in government benefits go unclaimed every year because people don't know they qualify, feel too proud to apply, or get discouraged by the paperwork. This skill walks through every major US assistance program: who qualifies, how to apply, how long it takes, and how to avoid the common reasons applications get denied.

Start at benefits.gov — it has a screening tool that checks eligibility across all federal programs at once. Then use this guide to understand each program and navigate the application process.

```agent-adaptation
# Localization required — this skill is entirely US-specific.
# Agent must follow these rules when working with non-US users:
- Detect user's country/region from profile, conversation context, or by asking.
- If non-US: this skill cannot be used as-is. Research and substitute the
  country's equivalent programs before proceeding. Examples:
  - SNAP → Universal Credit/food bank referrals (UK), SNAP has no direct equivalent
    in most countries — research local food assistance programs
  - Medicaid → NHS (UK), Medicare/Centrelink (Australia), provincial health (Canada),
    GKV/Krankenkasse (Germany), Sécurité Sociale (France)
  - Unemployment insurance → JobSeeker's Allowance (UK), Arbeitslosengeld I (Germany),
    Employment Insurance (Canada), JobSeeker Payment (Australia)
  - LIHEAP → Warm Home Discount/Winter Fuel Payment (UK), provincial energy programs (Canada)
  - TANF → Child Benefit/Tax Credits (UK), Kindergeld + Bürgergeld (Germany)
  - Section 8 / HCV → social housing waiting lists (most countries have different systems)
  - SSDI/SSI → Personal Independence Payment/DLA (UK), NDIS (Australia), CPP Disability (Canada)
  - EITC → Working Tax Credit (UK), WFTC equivalents by country
- Always cite the local program sources you use.
- Always warn the user: "This step references [US program] — I have substituted
  [local equivalent], but verify eligibility and application process for your situation."
- If unsure of jurisdiction: ASK the user for their country/region before proceeding.
```

## Sources & Verification

- Federal Poverty Level guidelines: HHS ASPE, "Poverty Guidelines" ([aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines](https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-guidelines))
- SNAP program: USDA FNS ([fns.usda.gov/snap](https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program))
- Medicaid eligibility by state: Kaiser Family Foundation ([kff.org/medicaid/](https://www.kff.org/medicaid/))
- ACA marketplace: [healthcare.gov](https://www.healthcare.gov/) — verified active as of March 2026
- Unemployment insurance by state: CareerOneStop (DOL-sponsored) ([careeronestop.org](https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/UnemploymentBenefits/unemployment-benefits.aspx))
- LIHEAP: ACF Office of Community Services ([acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/liheap](https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/liheap))
- TANF program: ACF Office of Family Assistance ([acf.hhs.gov/ofa/programs/tanf](https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/programs/tanf))
- WIC program: USDA FNS ([fns.usda.gov/wic](https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic))
- Section 8 / HCV: HUD ([hud.gov/topics/housing_choice_voucher_program_section_8](https://www.hud.gov/topics/housing_choice_voucher_program_section_8))
- SSDI/SSI: Social Security Administration ([ssa.gov/benefits/disability](https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/disability/))
- Lifeline program: FCC ([lifelinesupport.org](https://www.lifelinesupport.org/))
- EITC: IRS ([irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc](https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit-eitc))
- Benefits screening tool: [benefits.gov](https://www.benefits.gov/)

## When to Use

- User lost income and needs help covering food, housing, utilities, or healthcare
- User doesn't know what government programs exist or assumes they don't qualify
- User has been told they "make too much" but is still struggling
- User had a life change: job loss, disability, divorce, new baby, death of a provider
- User is already receiving one benefit and may qualify for others
- User applied for benefits and was denied

## Instructions

### Step 1: Eligibility Screening

**Agent action**: Ask the user for their household size, monthly gross income, state, and any special circumstances. Use the Federal Poverty Level table below to estimate eligibility across programs. Save the screening results to `~/documents/benefits-navigator/eligibility-screening.txt`.

```
2024 FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL (FPL) — CONTIGUOUS US:
(Alaska and Hawaii are higher)

Household Size | 100% FPL  | 130% FPL  | 138% FPL  | 185% FPL  | 200% FPL  | 400% FPL
       1       |  $15,060  |  $19,578  |  $20,783  |  $27,861  |  $30,120  |  $60,240
       2       |  $20,440  |  $26,572  |  $28,207  |  $37,814  |  $40,880  |  $81,760
       3       |  $25,820  |  $33,566  |  $35,632  |  $47,767  |  $51,640  | $103,280
       4       |  $31,200  |  $40,560  |  $43,056  |  $57,720  |  $62,400  | $124,800
       5       |  $36,580  |  $47,554  |  $50,480  |  $67,673  |  $73,160  | $146,320
       6       |  $41,960  |  $54,548  |  $57,905  |  $77,626  |  $83,920  | $167,840

These numbers are updated annually (usually in January).
FPL thresholds determine eligibility for most programs below.
```

```
QUICK QUALIFIER CHECKLIST:

□ Income recently dropped? → Unemployment, SNAP, Medicaid
□ Have children under 5? → WIC
□ Have school-age children? → Free/Reduced Lunch
□ Pregnant? → WIC, Medicaid (higher income limits)
□ Disabled? → SSDI, SSI, Medicaid
□ Over 60? → SNAP (higher limits), Medicare Savings Programs
□ Veteran? → VA benefits (separate system, see va.gov)
□ Struggling with utility bills? → LIHEAP
□ Need phone/internet? → Lifeline
□ Need housing help? → Section 8, Emergency Rental Assistance
□ Filing taxes? → EITC, Child Tax Credit
```

### Step 2: Program-by-Program Guide

**Agent action**: For each program the user likely qualifies for, provide the details below. Help them gather documents and start applications. Save a tracking list to `~/documents/benefits-navigator/applications-tracker.txt`. Set calendar reminders for follow-up dates and recertification deadlines.

---

**SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program / Food Stamps)**

```
WHAT IT IS: Monthly funds loaded onto an EBT card for buying groceries.

WHO QUALIFIES:
  - Gross income below 130% FPL ($2,266/month for a family of 4)
  - Some states use "broad-based categorical eligibility" with higher
    limits (up to 200% FPL)
  - Assets limits have been eliminated in most states
  - If you receive TANF or SSI, you automatically qualify

HOW TO APPLY:
  - Online: search "[your state] SNAP application" or go to
    fns.usda.gov/snap/state-directory
  - In person: your county Department of Social Services / Human Services
  - By phone: call 211 and ask for SNAP application assistance

WHAT YOU NEED:
  - Photo ID
  - Proof of income (pay stubs, unemployment letter, or statement of
    no income)
  - Proof of residency (utility bill, lease)
  - Social Security numbers for household members
  - Bank statements (in states that still check assets)

PROCESSING TIME:
  - Standard: 30 days
  - Expedited (if income is extremely low or you have less than $100
    in liquid assets): 7 days
  - If you qualify for expedited, say so explicitly when applying

MONTHLY BENEFIT AMOUNTS (approximate, varies by state and income):
  - 1 person: up to $291/month
  - 2 people: up to $535/month
  - 4 people: up to $973/month

TIPS:
  - Report ALL deductions: rent, utilities, child care, medical expenses
    over $35/month for elderly/disabled. Deductions increase your benefit.
  - If denied, appeal within 90 days. Many denials are due to missing
    documents, not actual ineligibility.
  - Recertificatio