How Americans Are Saving Thousands of Dollars A Year With These Benefits, Grants and Discounts
Every year, billions of dollars in grant money are budgeted by the government to help taxpayers cover heating bills, living expenses, education, and more – not to mention unclaimed money that the government holds, which usually sits unclaimed for years.
Many of these programs are easily accessible online, and some of them will expire shortly, so take a look at the items below before it's too late.
1. Your Auto Insurer Doesn't Want You To See This New Website
The majority of car owners keep the same auto policy from year-to-year, even though their rates probably creep up each year. If you're at the point where you're paying more than $65 per month for your car insurance, you're probably overpaying. This new website can check for discounts in your exact zip code in just a few minutes to see how much you can save by switching insurers – start by entering your zip code to see if you're overpaying.
See If I’m Overpaying For Auto Insurance →
2. Eligible Adults Are Getting $1,000's in Housing Assistance
We all need safe, affordable housing. But housing is expensive and affordable housing is hard to find. Even if you find a place to live, prices and rents seem to always go up, never down. For those lucky enough to own their home, maintenance adds up over the years and the costs to fix a leaky roof or replace an appliance can be downright scary. Luckily there are government housing assistance programs to help with all of these issues.
In fact, billions in assistance is awarded every year. Whether you need help finding affordable housing, paying your mortgage or rent or help with maintenance, you may qualify for one of the many government programs. In addition to helping you find affordable housing, often-overlooked tax credits, cash rebates, and funding programs are designed to give you huge incentive to purchase a new home, fix up an old home or simply make your home more efficient.
See If You Qualify For Assistance →
3. Never Pay Another Electric Bill Again — Federal Program Pays Homeowners To Go Solar And And Enjoy $0 Electric Bills
Wouldn't it be amazing if your local power company stopped sending you a bill? The government has an array of often-overlooked tax credits, cash rebates, and funding programs designed to give homeowners a huge incentive to ditch fossil fuel in favor of greener options. Programs like the Green Retrofit Grant, USDA Energy Grant, and Rural Energy for American Program Grants provide funds towards the costs of installing new energy systems, including solar.
These grants and programs expire soon, so check to see if your home qualifies and speak with local home project pros that can install the equipment.
4. Little Known Government Program That May Lower Or Eliminate Your Cell Phone Bill
These days, being connected with a cellphone and home internet is almost as important as traditional utilities like water and electricity, and the government has budgeted to support low-income taxpayers who are struggling to pay their bills for these essential services.
You can find out if you qualify for this benefit based on a few simple questions, and once you are approved, you can use your benefit with any participating company – even if you are already a customer.
Check If I Qualify For A Free Cell Phone →
5. Smart Homeowners Can Save $1,500 to $6,000 Each Year
Nobody likes unexpected expenses and, when it comes to your home, those expenses can add up quickly. Homeowner's insurance provides peace of mind against massive expenses due to covered losses such as fire or storm damage. But Homeowner's insurance won't help you repair or replace a hot water heater, electrical system, or dishwasher. These costs are much more common and can add up quickly – between 1 and 4% of your home's value each year! This means that a home valued at $150,000 should budget between $1,500 and $6,000 each year for repair costs.
You can stay ahead of these costs and save money on maintenance costs with a home warranty. Homeowners should check to see if their home qualifies for home warranty coverage.
6. Reduce Your Utility Bills At The Government's Expense
Low-income households that can’t afford their energy bills may benefit from one of the many government benefits meant to provide assistance. These federal programs help low-income households pay for home energy bills, cover the cost of an energy crisis, and pay for weatherization repairs. You can check if you qualify on this website.
Check If My Household Qualifies →
7. Rent Payment Relief For Low- to Moderate-Income Families
With unemployment skyrocketing, it is increasingly difficult for many families to cover their housing costs. Federal programs exist to help ensure all taxpayers have access to safe, affordable housing. Many people who qualify don't even realize and never claim their benefits. If you are having trouble paying your housing expenses, check to see if you qualify for housing assistance.
Check If I Am Eligible For Rent Assistance →
8. Don't Get Stuck With Credit Card Debt Over $15k
Unemployment and furloughs are leaving record numbers of families unable to cover their costs of living, and also their credit card debts. Falling behind on debt is a huge problem facing many people who were already carrying debt, and millions more who are relying on credit cards to pay living expenses until their jobs come back.
If your household is carrying over $15k in personal loan or credit card debt, a debt relief program like this one can help structure a plan that gives you a fighting chance to get out of debt. Check to see if you qualify for lowered payments.
Get My Credit Card Debt Reduced →
9. (BONUS) Is The Government Holding Money Owed To You?
Every year states hand out billions of dollars in missing money – funds or assets that cannot be connected with the rightful owner which must be turned over to the government after a specific amount of time (usually a year). Common examples are uncashed payroll checks, court funds, dividend payments, estate proceeds, and unused gift cards.
Before the Internet, it was a real hassle to see if you were owed anything, but these days, it's incredibly easy to find out whether there's unclaimed money in your name – you can quickly search online to find out how much you're due.
