Housing, Food & Basic Needs
Learn about income-based supports that can help cover housing, food, utilities, and other daily essentials.
This section will cover the following:
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Every section includes:
✓ Overview ✓ Eligibility ✓ How to Apply ✓ Helpful Resources
For many Kansans, accessing stable housing, nutritious food, and basic financial support can be a critical factor in health, independence, and overall well-being. Income-based programs provide assistance to individuals and families who meet certain financial eligibility requirements, helping them afford safe housing, maintain food security, cover energy costs, and meet other essential needs. This section outlines key programs available in Kansas, including the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP). Understanding eligibility, benefits, and the application process for each program can help Kansans access the resources necessary to live safely and independently.
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
About
The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-383), passed by the 93rd Congress, created the Section 8 Housing Voucher in Kansas. Section 8 Housing offers a voucher to help qualifying individuals afford safe, private housing.
Qualifying individuals may be:
Families with a low income
Seniors
People with disabilities
The Section 8 Housing program is federally overseen by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and managed at the state level by the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC).
Here is how the voucher works:
Participants can choose any housing that meets program requirements, such as a single-family home, townhouse, or apartment.
The voucher helps pay all or part of the rent.
The local Public Housing Agency (PHA) pays its portion directly to the landlord, and the tenant pays the remaining amount.
Eligibility
Multiple factors determine eligibility for Section 8 Housing. This may include:
family size
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen as defined by HUD
The head of the household must have a valid Social Security number
How To
To apply for this program, individuals must contact their local Public Housing Agency to request a housing choice voucher or check their application status.
Required documents usually include proof of income, public assistance (if any), and citizenship or Social Security cards.
If eligible, individuals will be placed on the Section 8 waitlist. When a voucher becomes available, the Public Housing Agency will contact the applicant to recheck eligibility, provide an orientation, and issue the voucher so they can begin their housing search. They will typically have 60 to 120 days to find a suitable home. It is important to keep contact information current to stay on the waitlist and ensure a smooth process.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
About
The Food Stamp Act of 1964 (P.L. 88-525), passed by the 88th Congress, created the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP. SNAP provides qualifying low-income households with food benefits, access to a healthy diet, and education on food preparation and nutrition. If qualified, monthly benefits are loaded onto a Kansas Benefits Card, also known as an EBT card. This card functions like a debit card. When a recipient purchases groceries, they simply swipe the card at checkout, and the cost is automatically deducted from their account.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is federally overseen by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and managed at the state level by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF).
Eligibility
Individuals may qualify if they meet any of the following:
They have a low income, regardless of whether they are working.
They are part of the applying household and share meals, even if not related.
They are able-bodied adults ages 18–59 without children who either work or participate in an approved training program for at least 30 hours per week, or meet an exemption from work requirements.
They are 60 years old or older.
They have a disability. This includes individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), certain veteran disability payments, disability retirement benefits for a permanent disability, or railroad disability benefits.
How To
To apply for assistance, individuals can complete an online application through the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). They may also call 1-888-369-4777 to request a paper application or visit their local DCF Service Center or Access Point to apply in person. Once submitted, the application will be reviewed, and applicants will receive notification of the decision by mail.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
About
The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193), passed by the 104th Congress, created the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in Kansas. TANF is a federal program that provides cash assistance to help qualifying families with children in need.
To qualify for the TANF program:
The family is defined as including a child who may be living with a parent, relative, or person named by a court to take care of the child, such as a guardian, conservator, or custodian.
Families must have at least one child under 18 living in the home. This includes pregnancies.
Families must meet income requirements.
Families must meet limited resource requirements.
The TANF program is federally overseen by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), and managed at the state level by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF).
The amount of cash assistance a family receives depends on their income and the county where they live. A designated caseworker will explain the specific income and resource limits and review the guidelines for using cash benefits with the enrolled family.
Eligibility
Guidelines may include:
Families can only get TANF for 24 months in a lifetime.
Cash benefits cannot be used to purchase:
Alcohol
Cigarettes
Tobacco products
Lottery tickets
Concert tickets
Professional or collegiate sporting event tickets
Tickets for other entertainment events intended for the general public
Sexually oriented adult materials
Adults must work or participate in work activities in order to receive cash assistance for their family, unless they are needed to:
Take care of a child under 2 months of age
Take care of a disabled household member
How To
To apply for TANF, families can fill out an online application through the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Self-Service Portal or contact their local Family Support Division office to request an application be mailed or to apply in person. If determined eligible, families may receive financial support within a few days to several weeks after applying for TANF and will receive that support until they are ineligible.
Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
About
The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981 (P.L. 97-35), passed by the 97th Congress, created the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) in Kansas. LIEAP is a federally funded program that helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time benefit per year.
The amount of financial help given to a household depends on multiple factors, including:
How much income the household has
How many people live in the home
What kind of home is it (house, apartment, or mobile home)
What type of heating fuel is used (gas, electric, or propane)
The LIEAP benefit is federally overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and managed at the state level by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF).
Eligibility
Qualifying individuals must be:
An adult living in the home must be the one responsible for paying the heating bill, either to the landlord or the company that provides the fuel.
The total income before taxes for everyone living in the home must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
How To
To apply for the LIEAP benefit, individuals can complete an online application through the Kansas DCF Self-Service Portal. They may also call 1-888-369-4777 or contact their local DCF service center to request a paper application, apply by mail, or apply in person. Applications are generally accepted from early January through the end of March. Once approved, applicants will receive a letter in the mail with the decision, and assistance can begin shortly after.