In a Nutshell

While Kansas is renowned for its picturesque sunflower fields and rich agricultural heritage, the economic landscape for many residents has been marred by financial challenges like rising inflation, job insecurity, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, approximately 12% of households in Kansas earned an annual income below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), highlighting the financial struggles experienced by a portion of the state’s population.

To address these challenges, Kansas’ government agencies and nonprofit organizations offer a range of financial assistance programs. These initiatives encompass various forms of support, including cash assistance, healthcare services, housing, and more, to alleviate some of the burdens faced by Kansas residents.

Discover the array of financial assistance programs in Kansas and learn how to access these essential resources, providing a lifeline for those striving to overcome economic adversity.

Government Assistance Programs in Kansas

Kansas provides a range of government assistance programs to support residents facing financial hardships. These programs offer vital resources, including healthcare, cash assistance, and child care, to enhance the well-being of individuals and families across the Sunflower State.

Cash Assistance Programs

Cash assistance programs in Kansas provide essential financial support to eligible individuals, helping them meet basic needs. Through the Kansas Benefits Card, the state’s Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, recipients can withdraw cash at ATMs nationwide and purchase grocery items at participating stores.

  • Provides cash assistance, employment, and support services to low-income families
  • The amount of cash benefit varies based on family income and county of residence
  • Also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Supports low-income households with food benefits, access to a healthy diet, and education on food preparation and nutrition

Kansas Stimulus Checks

  • There are no Kansas stimulus checks planned for 2024 or any time in the future.
  • Residents may still get tax relief through the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC).
  • Claiming these tax credits may lower taxpayers’ state income tax obligations or perhaps even increase their tax refunds (where applicable), providing financial relief.

Pregnant and Single Mother Programs

The state of Kansas offers several programs and resources to help expectant and single mothers gain access to prenatal care. These efforts aim to promote a healthy start for both mother and child.

  • Evidence-based prenatal education plan that is available in group settings across many Kansas communities
  • Aims to improve participants’ chances of having a healthy pregnancy
  • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and children under five
  • Provides personalized health education, breastfeeding support, nutrition information, checks for healthy food, and referrals

Child Care Services

The Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) offers help for child care, employment education, job training, and food, as well as general cash assistance. Through the DCF Self-Service Portal, Kansans can easily apply for services, check their eligibility, and access benefits.

  • Also known as Child Care Assistance
  • Offers financial aid for child care costs to low-income households, families in education or training programs, and teen parents completing high school or GED
  • Social service and child development program for pregnant women and families with infants who meet federal poverty guidelines
  • Provides quality early education, health services, and child care for parents who are employed, attending school, or in a job-training program

Medical Assistance

KanCare is Kansas’ Medicaid healthcare program that covers doctor’s visits, vaccines, hospital services, lab services, prescriptions, eye exams, behavioral health services, and dental care. The state contracts with three Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), so members can choose their preferred plan:

All pre-2013 Medicaid services and those from the Home and Community-Based Services waivers are now part of KanCare health plans. The HealthWave and HealthConnect Kansas programs have ended, and their services have been integrated into KanCare.

  • Offers free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings to reduce disease risks and improve treatment outcomes by helping to identify risk factors, symptoms, and other indicators early enough for treatment to be effective.
  • Women diagnosed through the cancer screening program may be eligible for referral to KanCare or other available treatment options.

Food Assistance

Many different food assistance programs are available statewide to support households facing financial hardship. They are designed to ensure these families have access to nutritious meals.

  • Also known as SUN Bucks
  • Financial assistance for families to buy groceries for school-aged children during the summer
  • Benefits are added to the household’s EBT card so that they can use it at participating locations
  • Delivers free USDA commodity foods to low-income households
  • TEFAP providers determine distribution, offering various foods such as canned vegetables, fruit, meat, cereal, nonfat dry milk, and pasta

Assistance for Veterans

The Kansas Office of Veterans Services (KOVS) is dedicated to supporting the well-being of veterans and their families across the state. The Veteran Programs and Services website can help individuals file VA claims for:

  • Education Benefits
  • Non-Service Connected Pension Benefits
  • Service-Connected Disability Compensation Benefits
  • Spouse and Dependent Benefits
  • State Benefits
  • VA Health Care Benefits

Elderly and Disabled Adult Programs

From food benefits to skills training and independent living support, Kansas’ elderly and disabled programs provide vital resources to enhance the quality of life for seniors and individuals with disabilities.

  • Offers a monthly food package to seniors aged 60+ with incomes below 130% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)
  • Packages include a variety of nutritious foods to support a balanced diet
  • Supports the independence and productivity of individuals with disabilities, promoting their full inclusion in their communities
  • Core services include information and referral, advocacy, peer support, independent living skills training, and deinstitutionalization support
  • Supportive services include vocational rehabilitation, independent living support, and business opportunities to foster independence and employment
  • Programs cover areas like skills training, orientation and mobility, assistive devices, and counseling

Utility Bill Assistance

Utility assistance programs can help low-income households manage high-energy costs, ensuring their families continue to receive essential services and improve energy efficiency in their homes.

  • Helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy costs
  • Benefit levels depend on factors like household income, number of residents, and type of heating fuel
  • Statewide resource guide for organizations offering financial assistance for utility bills or home energy efficiency upgrades

Transportation Assistance

  • KanCare provides transportation services to eligible members, including non-emergency medical transport for disabled and elderly residents needing rides to medical appointments. 
  • Ride KC Transit Services offers low-cost or free transportation within the state of Kansas; services may be available specifically for seniors aged 65 and older and individuals with disabilities.

Divorce Assistance

  • The Kansas Bar Association provides a lawyer referral service that helps individuals connect with licensed private practice lawyers suitable for their legal needs.
  • Kansas Legal Services is a nonprofit law firm that offers free or low-cost legal counsel to low-income Kansans dealing with civil cases.

Assistance for Unemployment

  • Kansas Unemployment Insurance provides temporary financial assistance to eligible workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. For more information, contact the Kansas Department of Labor.
  • The Work Program assists Kansas residents in finding and maintaining employment. Support services include job training, education, healthcare, parental counseling, and help with basic needs.

Housing and Homelessness Assistance

Housing and homelessness assistance programs serve as lifelines for individuals and families experiencing instability. They provide critical resources, including emergency shelters and pathways to permanent housing.

  • Comprehensive list of shelters in Kansas, including emergency shelters and transitional housing
  • Targets adults with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) or co-occurring substance abuse disorders who are homeless or precariously housed
  • Services include street outreach, case management, and other support not covered by mainstream mental health programs

Brad Reichert, founder and managing director of Reichert Asset Management LLC, sheds light on one helpful initiative that provides rental assistance for low-income families in Kansas:

“In addition to the services and support programs indicated in this article, the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation is a non-profit organization that provides tenant-based rental assistance to income-eligible households to pay for monthly rent, a security deposit when moving into a newly rented residence, and utility payments.”

“Through a network of privately-funded agencies and Federal HOME funds, they assist with preventing homelessness and helping low-income families stay together, in the home they’ve lived in, sometimes for years,” Reichert explains.

Nonprofit Assistance Programs in Kansas

Kansas nonprofit organizations support individuals and families facing challenging circumstances, providing essential services such as housing, food, and financial aid. By partnering with a network of dedicated service providers, these nonprofits play a crucial role in improving the quality of life for many Kansans.

  • Partners with families living in poverty, empowering them to achieve self-sufficiency
  • Provides sponsorship, scholarships, disaster assistance, skills training for parents, and more
  • Subprogram of The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
  • Supplies free USDA food commodities for use in congregate meals at soup kitchens, homeless shelters, treatment facilities, and domestic violence shelters
  • Assists individuals and families experiencing homelessness through a network of service providers across Kansas
  • Funding helps improve and operate emergency shelters, provide essential services, speed the re-housing process, and prevent homelessness

How Do You Get Financial Help in Kansas?

Even though the state of Kansas provides several assistance programs, they might not fully address substantial debt, such as high-interest credit card balances or medical bills. If you’re overwhelmed by your financial situation, partnering with a trustworthy debt relief company like TurboDebt can make all the difference.

TurboDebt offers effective Kansas debt relief programs to help residents regain financial stability. In 2023 alone, we helped thousands of clients reduce their total debt by an average of 55% before fees.

Here’s why TurboDebt is an excellent choice:

  • No upfront fees to get started
  • Become debt-free in as little as 12–48 months
  • Potential savings of 50% or more on your total debt (before fees) with our debt settlement program
  • No new loans or lines of credit required as part of our debt relief program
  • Top-rated customer service, supported by over 15,000+ 5-star TurboDebt reviews from satisfied clients

Don’t let debt be a roadblock on your path to success. Get a free consultation and see within minutes if you qualify for our debt relief program. Clear the way to a better financial future today!