​Liz Weston: Is it legal for a high-wealth, but low-income, household to apply for public assistance? 

Liz Weston, personal finance columnistDear Liz: I am out of work and taking a pause on my job search. While I have plenty of savings in a diversified portfolio, enough to last many years if needed, my adjusted gross income is small (mostly capital gains from gradual sales of assets).I think I qualify for low-income assistance programs for utility bills and healthcare subsidies but I’m reluctant to apply.If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.