Benefits

Government benefits can help eligible households with food, health care, housing, utilities, education, disability-related needs, unemployment, and retirement. Finding the right program can be confusing because benefits are administered by different federal, state, tribal, territorial, and local agencies. A safe search begins with official sources, accurate household information, and realistic expectations about eligibility and processing…

Choosing when to claim Social Security retirement benefits is a personal decision with lasting effects on monthly income. Eligible workers can generally start retirement benefits as early as age 62, but claiming before full retirement age reduces the monthly amount. Delaying after full retirement age can increase the benefit through delayed retirement credits until age…