Help for Kansas residents
This page includes state-administered assistance programs for Kansas residents, including Johnson and Wyandotte counties. These programs help with food, healthcare, housing, utilities, childcare, income support, and more.
How to Use This Page
- Use the sections below to find the type of help you need
- Each program includes what it does and how to apply
- Most applications are completed online, but phone help is available
📍 Need Local Help Near You?
If you need food pantries, clothing, hygiene items, shelters, or local nonprofits, use the Community Resource Map to find help near your address.
Get Required Documents
📜 Birth Certificate
What it is: A certified Kansas birth certificate is often required for benefits, school enrollment, ID, and Social Security card applications.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Completed Kansas birth certificate application
- Valid photo ID (if available)
- Payment (state fee applies)
Order a Kansas birth certificate online
Download the application (PDF)
Questions / help: 785-296-1400
🪪 Social Security Card
What it is: A Social Security card is required for employment, benefits, and many assistance programs.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Certified birth certificate
- Valid photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or passport)
- Original documents (no photocopies)
Find a Social Security office or schedule an appointment
Questions / help: 1-800-772-1213
🚗 State ID or Driver’s License
What it is: A state ID or driver’s license is commonly required for housing, benefits, employment, and services.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Proof of lawful presence / identity (birth certificate or passport)
- Proof of Social Security number
- Two proofs of residency (dated within the last year)
Schedule an appointment / get instructions
View acceptable documents (Real ID)
Questions / help: 785-296-3671
💳 SNAP (Food Assistance)
What it is: SNAP provides monthly food benefits to eligible low-income Kansas families and individuals via an EBT card (Kansas Benefits Card) to buy groceries.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Proof of identity (driver’s license, birth certificate)
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- Proof of income (pay stubs, benefit letters)
- Proof of expenses (rent, utilities, day care)
Apply online (DCF Self-Service Portal)
Program details & eligibility
Questions / help: 1-888-369-4777
🍼 WIC Program
What it is: WIC provides healthy food, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, new mothers, and children under age 5.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Proof of identity (parent and child)
- Proof of Kansas residency (utility bill, mail)
- Proof of income (pay stub, tax return, or Medicaid card)
- Person being applied for must be present at appointment
Find your local WIC clinic to make an appointment
Questions / help: Contact your local county clinic or 785-296-1553
🍎 Free & Reduced School Meals
What it is: Provides free or low-cost nutritious breakfast and lunch to students in Kansas public and nonprofit private schools. Eligibility is based on household income or participation in other benefit programs.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Total household income (gross)
- Names of all household members
- SNAP or TANF case number (if applicable)
- Social Security number (last 4 digits) of signing adult
Find your local school district (KSDE Directory)
*Note: Applications are processed directly by your local school.
Questions / help: 785-296-2276 (KSDE Child Nutrition)
📍 Find Food Near You
Need help now? Use our community resource map to locate food pantries, hot meal sites, and nutrition support in your specific neighborhood.
🏥 KanCare (Kansas Medicaid)
What it is: KanCare is the Medicaid program for Kansas, providing free or low-cost health coverage to eligible residents, including families, children, pregnant women, and seniors.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Proof of identity and citizenship (birth certificate)
- Social Security numbers for household members
- Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns)
- Proof of Kansas residency
Questions / help: 1-800-792-4884
🧒 KanCare for Kids (CHIP)
What it is: Health coverage for Kansas children (under age 19) in families who earn too much to qualify for regular Medicaid but cannot afford private insurance.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Household income information
- Current health insurance info (if any)
- Child’s proof of citizenship/identity
- Household size
Apply online (KanCare Application)
Questions / help: 1-800-792-4884
🎗️ Early Detection Works (EDW)
What it is: A program paying for breast and cervical cancer screenings (mammograms and Pap tests) for eligible Kansas women who are uninsured.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Must be a Kansas resident
- Must fall within age guidelines (typically 40-64)
- Must meet income guidelines
- Must not have health insurance covering these screenings
Check eligibility & find a provider
Questions / help: 1-877-277-1368
Need coverage but don’t qualify for the programs above?
Check the Health Insurance Marketplace (ACA) for income-based health plans.
Explore health insurance options through the Health Insurance Marketplace
Phone: 1-800-318-2596
Housing & Utility Support
⚡ LIEAP Utility Assistance (Kansas)
What it is: The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) provides an annual one-time benefit to help eligible Kansas households pay winter heating bills.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Proof of income for all household members
- Recent fuel/utility bills (gas, electric, propane, etc.)
- Proof of Child Support payments (if applicable)
- Social Security numbers for all household members
Apply online / Learn more (DCF)
Questions / help: 1-800-432-0043
🏘️ Community Action Agencies (Emergency Relief)
What it is: A network of 8 local agencies across Kansas that provide emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities to prevent eviction or disconnection.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Proof of financial hardship / emergency
- Eviction notice or utility disconnect notice
- Proof of income (past 30-90 days)
- Photo ID
Find your local agency (Map & Contact Info)
Questions / help: Contact your local agency directly.
🏠 Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
What it is: A state program funded by KHRC that helps low-income households with security deposits and rent subsidies for 12-24 months. It is administered by local grantees (nonprofits and housing authorities).
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Must meet income limits (typically 60% AMI)
- Proof of housing instability
- Valid lease or intent to lease
View list of local TBRA providers
Questions / help: 785-217-2001 (KHRC)
🏚️ Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
What it is: A long-term rental assistance program that helps eligible low-income Kansas households afford safe, private rental housing. Vouchers are managed by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs).
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Total household income (gross)
- Social Security numbers for all members
- Citizenship or eligible immigration status
- Clean rental history (varies by PHA)
Find your local Housing Authority (PDF List)
Important: Waitlists are often long and managed locally.
Family, Child & Income Support
💵 Successful Families Program (TANF)
What it is: Kansas’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides monthly cash assistance and employment services to low-income families with children to help them meet basic needs while working toward self-sufficiency.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Proof of identity and Kansas residency
- Income and asset information (bank statements, pay stubs)
- Social Security numbers for all household members
- Cooperation with Child Support Services
Apply online (DCF Self-Service Portal)
Questions / help: 1-888-369-4777
🧸 Child Care Subsidy
What it is: Helps eligible Kansas families pay for child care costs. This support is available for parents who are working, attending school, or participating in job training programs.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Proof of qualifying activity (work or school schedule)
- Proof of income (pay stubs, award letters)
- Child’s information (citizenship/ID)
- Provider information (if already chosen)
Apply online (DCF Self-Service Portal)
Questions / help: 1-888-369-4777
⚖️ Child Support Services (CSS)
What it is: Helps Kansas parents establish paternity, locate absent parents, and establish or enforce child support and medical support orders to ensure children receive financial support.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Information about the non-custodial parent (address, employer)
- Child’s birth certificate and SSN
- Copies of any existing court orders (divorce, custody)
- Valid photo ID
Apply online (CSS Enrollment Portal)
Questions / help: 1-888-757-2445
Disability, Seniors & Veterans
♿ SSDI / SSI Disability Benefits
What it is: Monthly disability income support for Kansans who are unable to work due to a long-term disability (SSDI) or who have limited income/resources (SSI).
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Medical records and diagnosis supporting your disability
- Work history (for SSDI) or income/resource information (for SSI)
- Certified birth certificate and photo ID
- Social Security number
Apply online / make an appointment
Phone (application & appointments):
1-800-772-1213
🎖️ Veterans Benefits Assistance (KCVAO)
What it is: Free help for Kansas veterans and their families to apply for benefits like VA disability compensation, pension, healthcare, education, and state-specific benefits. Managed by the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- DD-214 (military discharge document)
- Service history and basic contact information
- Medical records (if filing a disability-related claim)
Find a Veteran Service Officer near you
Phone (benefits help): 785-296-3976
💰 Kansas ABLE Savings Plan
What it is: A disability savings program that lets eligible individuals save for disability-related expenses without risking eligibility for benefits like SSI or Medicaid.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Social Security number or Tax ID
- Kansas residency
- Disability documentation (onset before age 26)
- Bank account info (to fund the account)
Phone (help & questions): 1-888-609-3469
Work, Legal & Financial Help
💼 KANSASWORKS
What it is: The state’s workforce system providing free help with job searches, resume building, mock interviews, and access to training programs or apprenticeships.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Work history (for resume builder)
- Valid email address
Create an account / Search jobs
Phone (help center): 1-877-509-6757
⚖️ Kansas Legal Services
What it is: A nonprofit law firm providing legal aid to eligible low-income Kansans for civil cases like divorce, custody, eviction prevention, and social security appeals.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Must meet income guidelines
- Must be a civil matter (no criminal defense)
- Details regarding your legal issue
Phone (application line): 1-800-723-6953
💸 Free Tax Help (VITA)
What it is: Free tax preparation for individuals and families who generally earn $60,000 or less per year, persons with disabilities, and limited English-speaking taxpayers.
What’s needed to apply (typical):
- Photo ID
- Social Security cards or ITINs for all family members
- Wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, etc.)
Phone (IRS help line): 1-800-829-1040
Disclaimer: Serve the Block™ provides this directory as a free community resource. We are not a government agency and do not administer these programs. While we work to keep this information current, funding availability, eligibility rules, and application requirements change frequently.
Please contact the specific agency directly to verify their current hours and requirements before visiting or applying. Serve the Block™ is not liable for the availability, quality, or outcome of any service listed on this page.