“Free money from the government? That’s a scam, right?” This kind of reaction is actually normal considering the increasing number of scammers who try to steal your money and your information with promises of free cash from the government.

But there are also several legit ways your Uncle Sam can give you some money with no strings attached. The stimulus checks are an obvious example. However, you may also get some money if you need some help with your monthly bills, buying your first home, or preparing to go to college.

The 2022 holiday season won’t be easy for millions of Americans who’re already struggling with skyrocketing inflation. One option would be to reduce spending, while another would be to seek government financial support.

Depending on several factors like your income and household size, you may be eligible to get free money from the government’s various programs — especially if you haven’t filed your 2021 taxes.

Here are 8 completely legitimate ways you can get free money from the US government!

1. Forgotten Funds and Unclaimed Tax Refunds

Who wouldn’t enjoy a tax refund? Most of us, probably. However, according to the IRS, it seems that many people are rather interested in getting their free money since more than $1 billion in tax refunds go unclaimed each year.

Americans have three years to file their tax returns and claim their refunds. If they don’t, that money is sent back into the tax agency’s coffers. There is no penalty for failing to file a tax return if you qualify for a refund, but it’s worthwhile to file each year in case the government does owe you something. Good tax software platforms will ease the whole process by tracking down all the deductions that apply to you.

Meanwhile, the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrations reports that over $40 billion is waiting out there in forgotten bank accounts, utility deposits, life insurance policies, and other sources. You can see if you’ve got any unclaimed money by checking Unclaimed.org.

2. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is a government program that’s federally funded and run directly by the individual states. Also known as welfare, this assistance program may have a bad reputation for some, but the cash assistance it offers could be a financial lifeline for many people and their children.

The amount you’ll receive depends on the state. In Washington, the maximum amount an adult and two kids can get via TANF cash assistance is $654 a month. A family of three in Oklahoma can claim $292 per month, provided they have no other income.

In order to get free money, you have to apply for the program through your state’s administering agency, and you must have a low income to qualify. States define that differently, but in most cases, you must be really struggling financially.

3. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, provides a safety net for low-income families. If you qualify for SNAP benefits (they were known as food stamps in the past), your state will issue an EBT (electronic benefit transfer) card, which is basically a debit card. You can only use it at authorized stores to purchase certain foods for your household.

There are obviously some criteria you must meet in order to get this free money. This being said, your gross monthly and net household income shouldn’t exceed certain limits based on your household’s size. For the fiscal year 2023, the estimated average SNAP benefit per family of two is $377.

4. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program

If you’re struggling to pay your cooling and heating bills, this program may be exactly what you need. Basically, you can get some free money, whether you’re a renter or a homeowner.

The Department of Health and Human Services supervises LIHEAP, formally known as the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, although each state determines whether a household will get a cash grant.

But according to Benefits.gov, anyone who is already registered in a program like SNAP has a pretty good chance of being automatically eligible. In order to receive this free money from the government, the program looks for certain criteria, such as income, the type of fuel used to cool or heat the house, and the number of people living in the house. Grants generally range from $500 to $1,500.

5. Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

SSI, formally known as Supplemental Security Income, is a federal benefit program administered by the Social Security Administration that provides free money for people in need. You may be eligible to receive monthly SSI payments if:

• you’re a US citizen or lawful resident;
• you’re 65 or older, disabled, or blind;
• and you have a very low income and limited financial resources.

According to the SSA, the maximum you could receive in 2022 is $841. For 2023, the monthly maximum an eligible individual can get will be $914. If both you and your spouse qualify for this type of benefit, you could receive $1,261 in 2022 ($1,371 in 2023).

Someone who lives with and takes care of an eligible individual could also receive a monthly benefit of $421.

Are you planning to make your house more energy efficient? Keep reading to find out how you can get free money from the government!

6. Unclaimed Pension Benefits

Remember pensions? Because most businesses have replaced them with 401(k) plans, few employees now receive pensions, which provide guaranteed income in retirement.

That can be a great deal, yet many Americans reportedly overlook their pension benefits. According to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., about 80,000 people still haven’t claimed their free money, and there is over $300 million in unclaimed pension money.

Want to check if any of that is yours? The PBGC’s website has a search engine where you can type your name or the name of the company where you worked.

And if you want to make sure you won’t lose track of your retirement money, you should consider looking for an affordable financial planning service that operates online.

7. Weatherization Money

After you’ve put in the effort to get help from the government to pay your energy costs, don’t waste your money by letting the cold air enter your house during the winter and the heat seep into your home during the summer.

The federal Weatherization Assistance Program has free money available for insulation, weatherstripping, and other home efficiency upgrades to make your house more energy-saving and cut your cooling and heating bills.

Up to 30 million US families can claim this benefit, which, according to the US Department of Energy, saves households about $280 or more each year.

As you may have guessed, eligibility is based on income. For instance, a family of two can get free money if their annual income doesn’t exceed $42,828.

8. FHA Mortgage Refunds

FHA home loans — funded by the Federal Housing Administration — are quite popular among first-time homebuyers because they allow them to make a low down payment, even if their credit score isn’t that great.

The FHA guarantees to pay a percentage of the loan if you default, but you must agree to bear some of the risks by paying MIP, also known as mortgage insurance premiums, starting with a 1.75% upfront premium of the loan amount.

Here’s the interesting part: the agency had decided that some borrowers qualify for refunds of part of their upfront MIP, provided they don’t default on their loans. Read the FHA’s refund fact sheet to find out if you have some free money waiting for you.

You may want to read Here’s How To Cover Your Healthcare Costs In Retirement In Your 50s.