Avoid “free money” from the government scams

Report scams offering “free money” from the government

Texts, email, ads, and websites promising “free money" from the government are often scams. You can report scams to the Federal Trade Commission.

How to get financial assistance from the government

Federal assistance programs can provide financial help with living expenses or business costs. Use these free, official government websites to search for programs you might be eligible for:

• Benefits.gov - food, housing, health care, child care, Social Security, and more
• GovLoans.gov - small business, education, housing, and more
• Grants.gov - not for individuals or personal expenses; typically only for organizations working with government-funded programs and projects 

Each program has its own eligibility rules, application process, and deadlines.