📖The Hidden Handbook← Home

Browse Free Services

Search 101 programs across 20 categories. All free. All public.

AllTax HelpHealth — Primary CareHealth — DentalHealth — VisionHealth — Mental HealthFood & NutritionHousing & RentalUtilitiesEducation — YouthEducation — AdultLegal AidBenefits EnrollmentChildcareTransportationEmploymentRecreationVeteransDisabilityImmigrationFinancial Recovery

The Hidden Handbook — A free public resource. Not affiliated with any government agency.

Showing 48 of 111 free services

211 Helpline — Housing & Utility Resources

National

Free referral hotline to local housing assistance, shelters, and utility programs.

Housing & Rental

21st Century Community Learning Centers

National

Free after-school, before-school, and summer programs for students in high-poverty schools.

Childcare

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

National

Free 24/7 crisis counseling for people in mental health distress.

Health — Mental Health

AARP Tax-Aide

National

Free tax preparation for anyone — especially for those 50+ and low-to-moderate income.

Tax Help

ABA Free Legal Answers

National

Ask a free civil legal question online and get a response from a volunteer attorney.

Legal Aid

ACA Health Insurance Marketplace

National

Subsidized health insurance with premium tax credits for income 100–400% FPL.

Health — Primary Care

Access Pass — Free National Park Pass for Disabled

National

Free lifetime national park pass for US citizens with permanent disabilities.

Recreation

ADA National Network — Disability Rights Info

National

Free information and referrals on disability rights, accommodations, and the ADA.

Disability

Adult Education & Literacy Program

National

Free adult basic education, GED preparation, and English language learning classes.

Education — Adult

Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP)

National

Up to $30/month off home internet for qualifying low-income households.

Utilities

America the Beautiful — Volunteer Pass

National

Free annual national park pass earned by volunteering 250 hours in federal lands.

Recreation

America the Beautiful Senior Pass

National

Lifetime $80 national park pass for US citizens 62+ (free with free file application for income-eligible).

Recreation

American Job Centers (One-Stop Career Centers)

National

Free job search, resume help, career counseling, and training referrals at 2,500+ locations.

Employment

American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC)

National

Up to $2,500 tax credit per year for the first four years of higher education.

Tax Help

AmeriCorps Segal Education Award

National

Education award of up to $7,395 for completing a term of national service with AmeriCorps.

Education — Adult

AnnualCreditReport.com — Free Credit Reports

National

Federally mandated free credit reports from all three bureaus once per year (now weekly).

Financial Recovery

ApprenticeshipUSA — Registered Apprenticeships

National

Earn-while-you-learn paid job training programs in construction, tech, healthcare, and more.

Employment

ARCH National Respite Network

National

Free or subsidized temporary caregiver relief for families caring for children with special needs.

Childcare

Assistive Technology State Programs

Low-cost loans, demonstrations, and recycled equipment for people with disabilities.

Disability

Benefits.gov — Federal Benefits Finder

National

Official federal tool to find all government benefit programs you may qualify for.

Benefits Enrollment

CDC Free Cancer Screening Programs

National

Free breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings for low-income uninsured patients.

Health — Primary Care

CFPB Consumer Complaint Database

National

File free complaints against banks, lenders, and debt collectors with the federal government.

Financial Recovery

Child & Dependent Care Credit

National

Tax credit for childcare expenses while you work or look for work.

Tax Help

Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)

National

Subsidized childcare assistance for low-income working parents.

Childcare

Child Care Aware Resource & Referral

National

Free referrals to local childcare providers, financial assistance, and subsidies.

Childcare

Child Tax Credit

National

Up to $2,000 per qualifying child under 17 to reduce your federal tax bill.

Tax Help

CHIP — Children's Health Insurance Program

National

Low-cost health coverage for children in families who earn too much for Medicaid.

Health — Primary Care

DAV — Disabled American Veterans Benefits Help

National

Free claims assistance to help veterans file VA disability and pension claims.

Veterans

Dental Lifeline Network

National

Free dental care for elderly, disabled, or medically fragile patients with no other resources.

Health — Dental

Disability Rights Advocates — Free Legal Help

National

Free legal advocacy for people with disabilities facing discrimination.

Disability

DOJ Accredited Immigration Legal Services

National

Free or low-cost immigration legal help from DOJ-recognized nonprofit organizations.

Immigration

Double Up Food Bucks

National

Doubles SNAP benefits when spent on fresh fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets.

Food & Nutrition

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

National

Refundable tax credit worth up to $7,830 for low-to-moderate income workers.

Tax Help

Emergency Rental Assistance Program

National

Federal funds distributed by states and localities to help renters facing eviction.

Housing & Rental

Every Kid Outdoors Annual Pass

National

Free annual pass to all US national parks and federal lands for 4th graders and their families.

Recreation

EyeCare America

National

Free eye exams and up to one year of care for seniors 65+ and those at risk for glaucoma.

Health — Vision

FAFSA — Free Application for Federal Student Aid

National

Free application that unlocks federal grants, loans, and work-study for college students.

Education — Adult

FDIC BankFind — Failed Bank Unclaimed Funds

National

Search for unclaimed deposits from failed banks held by the FDIC.

Financial Recovery

Federal Pell Grant

National

Up to $7,395 per year in free money for college students who demonstrate financial need.

Education — Adult

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

National

Sliding-scale primary care clinics for all patients regardless of insurance or income.

Health — Primary Care

Feeding America Food Bank Network

National

Network of 200+ food banks providing free groceries and meals to families in need.

Food & Nutrition

Head Start & Early Head Start

National

Free comprehensive early childhood education and health services for low-income children 0–5.

Education — Youth

Hill-Burton Free Hospital Care

National

Hospitals that received federal funds must provide free or reduced-cost care to qualifying patients.

Health — Primary Care

HUD-Approved Housing Counseling

National

Free or low-cost counseling for renting, buying, foreclosure prevention, and homelessness.

Housing & Rental

IRS Free File

National

Free guided tax software from IRS partners for AGI $79,000 or less.

Tax HelpUp to $79,000

Job Corps — Free Vocational Training

National

Free residential vocational education and job training for low-income youth 16–24.

Education — Youth

LawHelp.org — Free Legal Resources

National

Free legal information and referrals to legal aid organizations by state.

Legal Aid

Legal Services Corporation (LSC) — Free Legal Aid

National

Free civil legal help for low-income Americans from federally funded legal aid offices.

Legal Aid