If you've ever searched for "free government money" online or recall late-night infomercials from the 90s, you've likely encountered a wild-haired man in a suit covered in question marks. That's Matthew Lesko - the iconic "Lesko grant guy" who has built a 50-year career on a single, powerful message: billions in government grants are waiting for you to claim them.
But who is the man behind the eccentric persona? Is his modern service, LeskoHelp, a legitimate key to unlocking financial assistance, or just a clever repackaging of publicly available information? This definitive guide separates the myth from the reality, giving you everything you need to know about Matthew Lesko, his controversial career, and whether his program can truly help you.
[Click Here to Visit the Official LeskoHelp Website]
Matthew Lesko is far more than a TV character; he's a shrewd entrepreneur who transformed his government experience into a multi-decade brand. His journey began not on television, but in the halls of power. After earning an MBA, Lesko worked as a staffer in the Nixon and Ford administrations. This insider experience was his "lightbulb moment." He saw firsthand the massive, complex labyrinth of government programs and realized most Americans had no map to navigate it.
He built his unique brand through several key pillars:
The Infomercial Empire: In the 1990s, his high-energy, direct-response TV spots made him a household name. His enthusiastic delivery and clear, simple promises ("It's free money from the government!") cut through the complexity.
An Unforgettable Image: The question-mark suits weren't just a gimmick; they were genius branding. They made him instantly recognizable and symbolized the central problem he claimed to solve: the questions people have about finding financial help.
Authoritative Credentials: As a New York Times best-selling author of over 100 books on government grants, he built a reputation as a researcher, not just a pitchman.
Media Mainstay: Regular appearances on major networks like CNN, NBC, and Good Morning America cemented his status as the nation's "free money" expert.
Today, at 80 years old, Lesko has transitioned his legacy from paperback books and TV airwaves to the digital world with LeskoHelp, a membership community aiming to be the ultimate guide to government funding.
This is the million-dollar question for anyone considering LeskoHelp. The answer isn't a simple yes or no, but a nuanced analysis of what you're actually buying.
The Case FOR Trustworthiness and Legitimacy:
Longevity as Proof of Concept: A company doesn't survive for over five decades by being an outright scam. His 50+ year track record suggests he is providing a service that a segment of the market consistently finds valuable.
Transparent Business Operations: The company has a publicly listed physical address (1851 Columbia RD NW #402 Kensington, MD 20895), which adds a layer of legitimacy often missing from purely digital scams.
Volume of Specific Success Stories: The platform is filled with detailed testimonials from members who have received tangible benefits, from mortgage assistance to student loan forgiveness. These are not vague claims but specific dollar amounts and named programs.
Clear Value Proposition: LeskoHelp is upfront about being a research and guidance service. They sell access to organized information and expert support, not the grants themselves. The money-back guarantee further reduces the risk for new users.
Important Considerations and Past Controversies:
The FTC Scrutiny: In the early 2000s, Lesko's company faced inquiries from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding the marketing of his books and services. While this resulted in no major fines or sanctions, it's a part of his history that critics often cite.
The "Overpromise" Critique: The core criticism is that his marketing, with its giant checks and talk of "trillions," sets unrealistic expectations. The "$18,767 for every American" figure is a statistical average that includes massive entitlement programs like Social Security, not a promise of what every user will receive.
The Effort Barrier: LeskoHelp provides the tools, but you must do the work. Many negative reviews come from users who expected a passive process and were disappointed by the required effort of researching and applying.
The Balanced Verdict: LeskoHelp is a legitimate information brokerage and educational service. It is not a scam in the sense that it takes your money and provides nothing. However, it is also not a magic bullet. Its trustworthiness is proven through the results of its active, engaged members, not its marketing claims.
[Click Here to Visit the Official LeskoHelp Website]
LeskoHelp has evolved far beyond a simple database. It is structured as a comprehensive support ecosystem designed to overcome the very obstacles that prevent people from securing grants: confusion, complexity, and a lack of guidance.
Breaking Down the Core Features:
The Curated Database: This is the foundation. Instead of scouring thousands of disparate .gov websites, members get access to a centralized, searchable database of over 600,000 programs, organized by state, category, and need.
The Expert Guidance Engine: This is the true differentiator. The Daily Live Zoom Calls with grant experts allow members to ask specific questions in real-time. This is akin to having a grant consultant on retainer, helping you navigate confusing application questions.
Structured Learning Paths: The platform offers step-by-step video courses on topics like "How to Get Companies to Forgive Your Debt" or "How to Apply for the PAHAF Mortgage Grant." This turns abstract information into an actionable plan.
The Community Forum: This is a living library of peer-to-peer support. Members share their wins, their strategies, and their setbacks. Seeing a post like, "I just got $10,000 for my small business using the state's Main Street grant—here's how I did it," provides a proven blueprint for success.
The Scope of Assistance Covered:
The platform casts a wide net, targeting common financial pain points:
Housing: Mortgage assistance, rental aid, home repair grants, and utility bill support.
Business: Start-up grants, expansion capital, and COVID-19 recovery programs like EIDL and PPP guidance.
Education: Student loan forgiveness program guidance (IDR, PSLF) and vocational training grants.
Personal Finance: Debt relief strategies, medical bill negotiation, and emergency living expense grants.
Lesko's current marketing hinges on a powerful and attention-grabbing statistic: "$4.84 trillion in government money available in 2025 - that's $18,767 per American." It's crucial to understand what this number truly represents.
Deconstructing the $4.84 Trillion Figure:
This number is not fabricated; it comes from the official U.S. government budget. However, it represents the total projected government payments to individuals. This massive umbrella includes:
Social Security benefits for retirees and disabled persons.
Medicare and Medicaid payments to healthcare providers.
Veterans' benefits and pensions.
Unemployment insurance payouts.
AND the types of discretionary grants Lesko promotes for housing, business, and education.
Setting Realistic Expectations:
The "$18,767 per person" is a mathematical average. It does not mean every adult will receive a check for that amount. Your individual result is entirely dependent on:
Your Eligibility: Your income, location, business status, family size, and specific circumstances.
Your Effort: The time you invest in searching the databases, attending calls, and completing applications.
Program Funding: Some grants have limited funds that are distributed first-come, first-served.
Members see a wide range of outcomes, from a few hundred dollars in utility assistance to life-changing six-figure student loan forgiveness. The key is to see LeskoHelp as a guide to the specific programs you qualify for within that multi-trillion-dollar pool.
[Click Here to Visit the Official LeskoHelp Website]
The most accurate picture of LeskoHelp comes from synthesizing the experiences of its members. The reviews are polarized, which is telling.
The Success Stories (What You See on Their Site):
These testimonials are powerful because of their specificity:
"$23,000 Mortgage Grant": "I applied to the PAHAF mortgage assistance grant and was awarded $23,000 which paid up the mortgage in February. It works!" - Voni M.
"Student Loan Victory": "I was able to get 120k of student loans removed. I did what Matthew said to do with IDR... and it worked." - Virginia P.
"Business Rescue": "Over the past year, I have received $6500 in grant money... from the PPP money for my current company... been forgiven." - Wilbert F.
The Critical Complaints (What You Find on Third-Party Sites):
Common themes in negative reviews include:
"It's Overwhelming": Some users feel paralyzed by the amount of information and don't know where to start.
"It's Work": The recurring complaint is that finding and applying for grants is time-consuming and requires persistent effort.
"I Didn't Qualify": Users sometimes discover that the well-publicized grants have strict criteria they don't meet, leading to frustration.
The Consensus: The pattern is clear. LeskoHelp acts as a force multiplier for motivated, self-directed individuals. Those who actively engage with the Zoom calls, follow the courses, and learn from the community tend to achieve results. Those who expect the platform to do the work for them are almost universally disappointed.
To access the service, you must subscribe through the official Matthew Lesko/LeskoHelp website. The member dashboard is your command center, typically featuring:
A searchable grant database filtered by category and state.
A library of on-demand video courses and training guides.
A calendar for the daily live Zoom calls with experts.
Access to the private community forums and direct messaging system.
[Click Here to Visit the Official LeskoHelp Website]
LeskoHelp uses a tiered subscription model designed to encourage longer commitments for a lower monthly cost. The current pricing structure is straightforward and transparent, with no hidden fees:
1-Month Trial: $19.95 (billed monthly, cancel anytime)
6-Month Plan: $9.98/month ($59.90 total, saving $60)
12-Month Plan: $8.30/month ($99.90 total, saving $140) - MOST POPULAR
All tiers include full platform access and are backed by a money-back guarantee, providing a safety net for new members.
Based on the company's published information, the primary contact methods are:
Official Mailing Address: 1851 Columbia RD NW #402 Kensington, MD 20895
Integrated Member Support: The primary and most efficient method is the direct messaging system within the LeskoHelp member community.
Website Contact Form: The official website likely has a contact form for general inquiries.
It's important to note that a public-facing customer service telephone number is not prominently advertised. The business model is built around support within the digital platform, ensuring that queries are handled by specialists familiar with the grant-seeking process.
The process for cancellation is designed to be simple, honoring the "Cancel Anytime" promise. Members should:
Log into their account on the LeskoHelp website.
Navigate to their account settings or billing management section.
Locate and follow the prompts for cancellation.
Retain the email confirmation of the cancellation for their records.
The presence of a clear money-back guarantee policy suggests that the company aims to handle cancellations and refunds without significant friction.
The term "Lesko Help 2" is not an official product name used in their core marketing. It typically refers to one of two things:
An Updated Version: It may be an informal way users refer to a newer, updated version of the LeskoHelp platform or database.
A Misleading Copycat: Consumers should be cautious, as this term is sometimes used by unofficial or potentially scammy websites trying to capitalize on Lesko's brand recognition. Always ensure you are on the official LeskoHelp website before providing any payment information.
After a deep dive into his history, his service, and the experiences of his customers, the final decision comes down to your personal profile.
You are the ideal candidate for LeskoHelp if you:
Are a proactive, self-starter who doesn't mind putting in hours of work for a potential large payoff.
Feel overwhelmed by government bureaucracy and need a structured system and expert guidance to navigate it.
Understand the difference between buying information and buying results.
Have a specific, tangible financial goal (e.g., "I need to find $10,000 for back rent," or "I want to get my student loans forgiven").
You should avoid LeskoHelp and look elsewhere if you:
Are looking for a "get-rich-quick" scheme or expect someone to hand you a check.
Want a completely passive solution or are unwilling to fill out detailed applications.
Are in an immediate financial crisis and need instant cash assistance.
Believe that the "$18,767" is a promise rather than a statistical average.
Matthew Lesko has carved out a unique and enduring niche in the American financial landscape. Love him or criticize him, his core message—that there are resources available for those willing to learn how to find them—resonates with millions. LeskoHelp is the modern embodiment of his life's work: a tool that, in the right hands, can indeed help build a bridge to a better financial future.
[Click Here to Visit the Official LeskoHelp Website]
While his exact net worth isn't publicly disclosed, Matthew Lesko has built a successful publishing and digital membership business over 50 years. His wealth comes from book sales, television deals, and subscriptions to his LeskoHelp service, not from the government grants he researches.
No, Matthew Lesko is not a lawyer or a certified accountant. His expertise is as a researcher and information specialist. He holds an MBA and uses his experience from working in the federal government to help people navigate complex public information on grants and assistance programs.
Yes, genuine grants are not loans and do not require repayment. This is a key distinction Lesko emphasizes. However, it is crucial to read the terms of each specific program, as some may have conditions, like agreeing to live in a certain area for a number of years or using the funds for a very specific purpose.
Technically, yes. All government grant information is public. However, finding it is the challenge. The information is scattered across thousands of federal, state, and local websites. LeskoHelp's value is in saving you hundreds of hours of research by centralizing the data and providing expert guidance to navigate it successfully.
The biggest misconception is that it's a "free money dispenser." People often sign up expecting effortless cash, but the service is actually a "do-it-yourself research toolkit with expert support." Success requires active effort from the member to find and apply for the programs they qualify for.
There is no standard timeline. Some emergency assistance programs for rent or utilities can process applications in a few weeks. More complex applications, like small business grants or mortgage assistance, can take several months from application to funding. Patience and follow-up are essential.
Yes, in many cases. Since most grants are not loans, your credit score is often not a factor in eligibility. The focus is typically on your income, location, family size, or the specific purpose of the grant (e.g., starting a business in a certain industry). LeskoHelp can be particularly valuable for those who cannot access traditional credit.
LeskoHelp does not typically offer a free trial. However, they do offer a money-back guarantee on the subscription fee. This allows you to try the service and, if you are not satisfied for any reason, you can cancel and request a refund according to their terms.
This is a common concern, but with over 600,000 programs in the database, it's rare to find nothing. If you're struggling, the service's experts on the daily Zoom calls can help you refine your search and identify programs that match your unique situation. The community forum is also a great place to find ideas from people with similar backgrounds.
Yes, according to all company marketing and member testimonials, Matthew Lesko is still actively involved in LeskoHelp. He contributes to the research, appears in member content, and his lifetime of work forms the foundation of the service. The daily operations are likely handled by a team of grant experts and support staff.
[Click Here to Visit the Official LeskoHelp Website]