Following are answers to our most frequently asked questions. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please contact us.

What is GovBenefits.gov?
GovBenefits.gov is a screening tool to help you find government benefits that you may be eligible to receive.

GovBenefits.gov does not offer application services for benefits and cannot guarantee eligibility for specific programs. In addition, GovBenefits.gov is not designed to be a comprehensive listing of all programs for which someone is eligible. Its purpose is to give you a list of benefits you may be eligible to receive and then to provide information about how to apply for those programs.

How often should I use GovBenefits.gov?
GovBenefits.gov is free, so try it as often as you like. We recommend that you visit GovBenefits.gov as time passes or after major life events. New benefit program eligibility criteria, entirely new benefit programs, and/or your own life changes might result in your potential eligibility for benefit programs that you might otherwise have missed.

How does the search work?
The search function finds benefit programs related to the words or phrases you enter into the search box. There are three methods for searching the website:

• To find a program using a phrase, enter the phrase in quotes:
  "Mortgage Insurance" This search will return all benefit programs related to the phrase "Mortgage Insurance.”
  
• To find a program containing two or more specific words, enter each of the words preceded by a plus:
  +Home +Insurance This search will return all benefit programs related to the words "home" and "insurance.”
  
• To find a program containing any one of a number of words, enter the word with a space between each word:
  Home Flood This will return all benefit programs related to either the word "home" or "flood.”

How can I use GovLoans.gov to find the right loan for me?

There are several ways to find loans on GovLoans.gov.

• Select the type of loan you are interested in (e.g. housing, education, business, etc) in the top navigation under "Loans" and look at a list of loans; OR
• Enter keyword(s) in the Search Loans area; OR
• Take the GovBenefits.gov questionnaire by going to "Start Here" on the GovBenefits homepage.

Free Money
Many people arrive at GovBenefits.gov after seeing advertisements that might leave them thinking the government will give “free money” to anyone for anything. The government will not give you money just because you ask for it.

Here are some facts about getting government assistance some ads may not mention:

• The government provides assistance through benefit programs that serve various important purposes, such as job training, nutritional assistance, education, health care and other needs.
• In order to receive government assistance you must complete an application.
• You must meet specific eligibility requirements as outlined by each program.
• Some assistance programs may only provide non-payment type benefits.
• Not all assistance programs provide payments. Assistance programs that provide payments may have conditions and limitations.

Visit our homepage and try the following options:

• Take the Benefits Questionnaire – Click Start Here on the homepage to begin the confidential eligibility questionnaire. Your answers will generate a list of benefits tailored to your specific needs across all assistance categories.
• Benefits Quick Search – Have a specific need? Use the Benefits Quick Search option to browse benefit and assistance programs by category. Let GovBenefits.gov do the work for you!

Grants
Government grants are awards of financial assistance to an individual and/or organization. Grants are used to carry out a government authorized purpose, and are not provided as personal benefits or assistance.

Visit www.Grants.gov to find and apply for grants.

How does GovBenefits.gov screen the benefits I may be able to receive?
GovBenefits.gov will ask several broad questions about your personal situation. These questions will become more specific as the system narrows the list of possible benefit programs you may be eligible to receive. GovBenefits.gov is completely confidential and will not ask any information that could be used to identify you (i.e., name, address, phone number, Social Security number, etc.).

What if I am helping someone else?
If you are answering these questions on behalf of someone else (including a child), the term "you" applies to that person. Answer the questions as they apply to the person you are helping.

How much time will it take to answer all the questions?
Depending on your personal situation, please allow 5 to 15 minutes to answer all the questions. The more benefits you may be eligible to receive, the more questions you are likely to be asked.

Please note: If you do not complete a page of questions within 10 minutes, your progress will be lost and you must start the questionnaire from the beginning. Please allow yourself enough time to complete the questionnaire in one sitting. The results of your questionnaire will also be lost after 10 minutes. To avoid losing your results, either print the results or email them to yourself by clicking the "email" icon at the top right corner of the results page.

Do I have to answer all the questions?
GovBenefits.gov recommends that you answer all of the questions presented. Answering all the questions increases the accuracy of the assessment of your eligibility for government assistance.

What if I want to apply for a benefit program?
You cannot apply for a specific benefit program directly through GovBenefits.gov. Refer to the contact information provided for each program to determine the appropriate next step.

Where did my benefit program go?
Funding for benefit programs is based on the President's budget proposals and Congressional legislation. As laws change, new legislation is passed, or the time limits for certain programs are reached, benefit programs may be affected. Eligibility requirements may change or the entire program may be eliminated. Therefore, a benefit program that may have once been suggested may no longer be available.