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Tens of billions in benefits go unclaimed every year
Answer a few quick questions and see the programs you likely qualify for, with an estimated dollar amount and the exact place to apply.
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From ZIP code to a personal list of programs in about two minutes.
We use it to load your state's rules, income limits and local offices. Nothing else about your location is stored.
Household size, rough income, ages and a few situations. Round numbers are fine, and optional questions can be skipped.
See each program ranked by value, why you may qualify, the documents you need and the official link to apply.
These core programs reach millions of households, and many people who qualify never apply.
| Program | What it does | Run by | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child Tax CreditInternal Revenue Service | The Child Tax Credit is a federal tax credit that may lower the tax you owe if you are raising qualifying children. | Federal | See rules |
| EITCInternal Revenue Service | The EITC is a federal tax credit for people who work and have low to moderate income. It may lower your tax and add to your refund. | Federal | See rules |
| IRS RefundInternal Revenue Service | Where's My Refund? is the IRS online tool for checking the status of your federal income tax refund. | Federal | See rules |
| LIHEAPHHS Administration for Children and Families | LIHEAP helps households with low income pay heating and cooling bills, and may help in an energy crisis such as a shut-off notice. | State-run | See rules |
| LifelineFCC / Universal Service Administrative Company | Lifeline is a federal program that may give households with low income a discount on phone or internet service. | Federal | See rules |
| MedicaidCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services | Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage run by each state with federal funding, for children, adults, pregnant people, older adults and people with disabilities. | State-run | See rules |
| SNAPUSDA Food and Nutrition Service | SNAP gives monthly benefits on an EBT card to help households with low income buy food. | State-run | See rules |
| WICUSDA Food and Nutrition Service | WIC gives healthy foods, nutrition education and breastfeeding support to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and young children with low income. | State-run | See rules |
Built on the official formulas with verified, source-linked figures. Every result shows the math.
Health Coverage
Premium tax credits help lower your monthly insurance payments if you buy health coverage through the ACA Marketplace.
Explainer
Premium tax credits help lower your monthly insurance payments if you buy health coverage through the ACA Marketplace. Learn how they work and if you qualify.
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Comparison
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Comparison
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What to apply for first, in order, when your situation changes.
Every year, millions of American families miss out on help they're entitled to, not because they don't qualify, but because the rules are spread across hundreds of agency websites written in legal language.
We built OwedFinder to fix that: one place to see every program you may qualify for, what it's worth, and the exact official link or office to apply, with every figure tied to its source.
Every guide is researched from official agency sources and credited.
Benefits Research Desk
Program rules & income limits
6 published guides.
Every income limit, benefit amount and apply link is researched from the agency that runs the program, dated, and re-checked on a fixed schedule. We don't generate program rules with AI, and we don't accept payment to rank programs.
Read our methodologyFigures sourced from
Straight answers about how the benefits check works, your privacy and our data.
Still have a question?
Our team replies within two business days. We can't submit applications for you.
Contact usNo. We're an independent service and are not affiliated with any federal, state or local agency. We link you to the official agency website or office to apply, and only that agency can decide if you qualify.
Yes. The benefits check, program pages and calculators are free, with no account needed. Applying for government benefits is also free. Never pay anyone who asks for a fee to apply on your behalf.
Your answers stay in your browser while you use the check. We never ask for your name, Social Security number, bank details or immigration documents. If you choose to save results or set reminders, we only keep your email address.
Estimates use each program's official formula and this year's published figures, with every number linked to its source. Your real amount depends on details the agency verifies, so treat results as a guide and apply even if you're unsure.
You can still apply. Many programs have state-specific rules, deductions and exceptions that a short check can't capture. Each program page explains the rules in your state and how to appeal if you're denied.
We cover 26 federal and state programs, including SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, EITC, the Child Tax Credit, LIHEAP, SSI and unclaimed property, in all 50 states and Washington, DC.
Income limits and benefit amounts are refreshed when agencies publish new figures, usually each year, and every program page shows the date it was last reviewed. Apply links are checked automatically every quarter.
Through clearly labeled advertising and a small number of partner links. Advertisers never influence which programs we show or how we rank them, and ads never appear inside the benefits check.
Rules, income limits and offices differ by state. Pick yours to see every program with local details.
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