Common Benefits Eligibility Questions

To receive most public benefits and community resources, you will be asked to provide basic information about your household's financial situtation.   Resource providers want to make sure that they are providing help to those most in need so that they can help as many people as possible.

Some questions that resource providers might ask you are:

• Where do you live?  They want to make sure that you are in their coverage area.
• How many people live in your household?  Income limits are based on household size.
• What is your gross household income?  Income limits are also based on the amount of income you get in a year.
• What is your earned income?  Some benefits are look at income earned from a full- or part-time job or self employment.
• What are your monthly expenses, such as utilities and child care?  They ask this information to determine if you have any income left after you have paid for all of your living expenses and bills.
• How much savings do you have?  This can help them see whether you have any financial safety net.  Some benefits only allow savings up to a certain limit.
• What debt do you have?  The answer to this question helps them understand how much of your debt is obligated.
• How many cars do you have?  What is the estimated value of each?  Some benefits take in account assets such as cars.  This question could also be asked to understand your transportation situation.
• Do you own your home, do you rent a place to live, do you live in transitional or temporary housing, or are you homeless?  Some benefits are associated with different types of housing.  If you are homeless, you may qualify for other benefits and referrrals.