Government Grants for Individuals 2026: What's Actually Available

Housing Assistance Grants

HUD HOME Investment Partnerships

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program is the largest federal block grant for affordable housing, distributing over $1.25 billion annually to states and localities. Local governments use HOME funds to provide down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, home repair grants for low-income existing homeowners, and subsidies for affordable rental housing development. Because the program is administered at the local level, what's available varies significantly by jurisdiction � some cities offer forgivable loans of $10,000�$40,000 for down payment assistance, while others fund emergency home repair for seniors. Contact your local housing authority or Community Development Department to find out what HOME-funded programs currently have open enrollment in your area.

USDA Section 504 Home Repair

The Section 504 Home Repair program provides grants of up to $10,000 to very low-income homeowners in rural areas (generally areas with populations under 35,000) to eliminate health and safety hazards � including failing roofs, unsafe electrical systems, broken heating, and accessibility modifications for people with disabilities. To qualify for the grant (rather than a low-interest loan), you must be 62 or older and unable to repay a loan. Households below the applicable income limit for their county qualify. One important caveat: the grant carries a lien that must be repaid if you sell the property within three years. Apply through your local USDA Rural Development office, which can be found at rd.usda.gov/contact-us/state-offices.

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

The Department of Energy's Weatherization Assistance Program provides free energy efficiency improvements to low-income households � including insulation, air sealing, HVAC upgrades, water heater replacement, and window repair. Eligibility requires household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (about $60,000 for a family of four in 2026), though households receiving SNAP, SSI, or TANF are automatically income-eligible. The average benefit per household is approximately $6,500 in improvements, though complex homes can receive significantly more. The program serves about 35,000 homes per year nationally through a network of local weatherization agencies � apply through your state energy office or by contacting your local community action agency.

Education Grants

Pell Grant

The Pell Grant is the cornerstone of federal student aid, providing up to $7,395 per award year (2025�2026) to undergraduate students who haven't yet earned a bachelor's degree. Unlike loans, it never needs to be repaid. The 2024 FAFSA Simplification Act expanded Pell eligibility significantly � millions of previously ineligible students now qualify, particularly from middle-income families. Your award amount depends on your Student Aid Index (SAI), enrollment status (full-time students receive the full award; half-time students receive approximately half), and cost of attendance at your school. Complete your FAFSA as early as possible at studentaid.gov � the form opens October 1 for the following academic year, and some state grants linked to FAFSA are first-come, first-served.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

The FSEOG provides an additional $100�$4,000 per year to undergraduate students with exceptional financial need, and is reserved for students with the lowest SAI scores � meaning those closest to zero or in the negative range. Unlike the Pell Grant, FSEOG is not guaranteed: each participating school receives a fixed allocation from the federal government and distributes it to eligible students on a first-come, first-served basis until funds run out. Students with a zero SAI who complete FAFSA early in the cycle are most likely to receive an award. Because awards are managed at the school level, your financial aid office is the right contact for eligibility and availability.

Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant

The TEACH Grant provides up to $4,000 per year to students enrolled in eligible teacher preparation programs, in exchange for a service commitment to teach full-time in a high-need field (like math, science, or special education) at a low-income school for at least four years within eight years of graduation. The grant requires careful management: if you don't fulfill the service requirement � or fail to submit annual certification paperwork � it automatically converts to an unsubsidized Direct Loan with interest accruing retroactively from disbursement. This conversion risk is real; roughly half of all TEACH Grant recipients historically have had their grants converted to loans. If you're confident in your teaching commitment and can handle the documentation requirements, it's genuinely valuable � but understand the stakes before accepting.

Healthcare and Disability Assistance

Medicaid and CHIP

Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are the federal government's largest health assistance programs, covering more than 90 million Americans. Medicaid covers adults with very low incomes, pregnant women, children, elderly individuals, and people with disabilities � with income thresholds that vary significantly by state (in states that expanded Medicaid under the ACA, adults up to 138% of the poverty level qualify). CHIP extends coverage to children in families with incomes too high for Medicaid but unable to afford private insurance. Neither program is a grant in the traditional sense, but they eliminate out-of-pocket healthcare costs entirely for qualifying individuals. Apply at healthcare.gov or directly through your state Medicaid agency � enrollment is open year-round.

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program is a federal grant program � administered by HRSA � that funds a nationwide network of local providers to deliver free or low-cost healthcare and support services to people with HIV who are uninsured or underinsured. Services covered include medical care and treatment, AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAP) that provide free HIV medications, mental health and substance abuse treatment, case management, and housing assistance. The program serves approximately 560,000 people annually. To access services, contact your local Ryan White Part B program through your state health department, or find a provider through the HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau's service locator at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

ACL (Administration for Community Living)

The Administration for Community Living distributes grants to state and local agencies that provide direct services to older adults and people with disabilities, enabling them to live independently rather than in institutional settings. Key programs include the Older Americans Act Title III services (meals, transportation, in-home care, caregiver support), the Independent Living program for people with disabilities, and the National Family Caregiver Support Program. Individuals can't apply directly to ACL for funding, but can access services through their local Area Agency on Aging (find yours at eldercare.acl.gov) or Independent Living Center. These services are income-based and often provided at no cost to eligible individuals.

Emergency and Hardship Assistance

FEMA Individual Assistance

When the president declares a major disaster, FEMA's Individual Assistance program makes grants � not loans � available directly to affected individuals and households. The program has three main components: Individual and Households Program (IHP) assistance for home repair and replacement of essential personal property; Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) covering short-term hotel stays for displaced households; and Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for workers whose employment was disrupted. The average FEMA grant is $3,000�$8,000, though large disasters with extensive damage can result in higher awards. Apply within 60 days of the disaster declaration at disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA. Applying early matters: FEMA's housing assistance runs out as the disaster area's housing stock is surveyed.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP provides federal grants to states, which distribute them to low-income households to help pay heating and cooling bills, utility arrears that threaten disconnection, and in some states, weatherization and furnace/AC repair. Income eligibility is generally 150% of the federal poverty level or 60% of state median income, whichever is higher. Benefit amounts vary significantly by state � some states provide one-time payments of $200�$500, while others offer seasonal benefits up to $1,000+ depending on heating costs and household circumstances. The program runs on a heating-season cycle (October�April in most states), so apply early in the fall before your state's allocation runs out. Find your state's LIHEAP office at liheap.acf.hhs.gov or by calling 211.

Emergency Rental Assistance

The large federal Emergency Rental Assistance programs funded by COVID-19 relief legislation (ERA1 and ERA2 � totaling $46.5 billion) are largely exhausted at the federal level. However, many states and localities still have ERA funds remaining as of 2026, and several states have established their own ongoing emergency rental programs. If you're facing eviction or rent arrears, call 211 to reach your local community action agency, which can direct you to any available rental assistance in your county. The National Low Income Housing Coalition maintains a searchable directory of rental assistance programs by state at nlihc.org/rental-assistance. HUD-approved housing counselors can also help navigate available options at no cost � find one at hud.gov/housingcounseling.

Government Grants for Individuals: Full Comparison Table 2026

The table below covers every major federal grant program that directly benefits individual Americans in 2026 � with amounts, eligibility, and where to apply:

Sources: Benefits.gov, studentaid.gov, USDA Rural Development, FEMA, DOE, HUD. Amounts reflect 2025�2026 program year guidance.

How to Find Legitimate Programs

Use Benefits.gov � the official federal benefits finder. Enter your state and situation and it returns every program you may qualify for. Your local community action agency (findhelp.org) can also connect you with both federal and local programs. Never pay anyone to help you apply for government assistance � all legitimate programs are free to access. See our grant scams guide for red flags to avoid.

Frequently Asked Questions