Idaho assistance directory
Low-Income Help and Resources in Idaho
Idaho residents may be able to get help with food, rent, utilities, health coverage, child care, cash assistance, work, legal concerns, phone or internet costs, and crisis needs. Start with Idaho's statewide benefit portal or 211, then move to the program that matches the problem you are trying to solve.
Money Fit serves Idaho residents statewide. Our Boise office is located at 6213 N. Cloverdale Rd., Suite 130, Boise, ID 83713. Counseling is also available by phone and online throughout Idaho.
Where to start
You do not need to know the exact program name before asking for help. Choose the starting point that most closely matches what is happening now.
Applying for several benefits
Idalink is Idaho's online portal for Medicaid, food assistance, cash assistance, and child care assistance.
Open IdalinkFinding local or urgent help
Call 211 or search by ZIP code for nearby food, housing, utility, health, transportation, and family services.
Contact 211 IdahoSearching privately online
FindHelp Idaho lists free and reduced-cost programs across the state and can be searched by need and ZIP code.
Search FindHelp IdahoFood assistance
For ongoing grocery help, start with SNAP or WIC when it fits your household. For food needed sooner, use a statewide food-site locator or call 211.
Idaho SNAP
SNAP provides monthly food benefits to eligible Idaho households. Applications require an interview and can be started by phone, in person, or with the state application.
Phone: 877-456-1233
Idaho WIC
WIC provides nutrition support for eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum participants, along with infants and children through age four. Idaho has clinics across the state.
Food banks, food sites, and pantries
Search by city or ZIP code for nearby food locations. The Idaho Foodbank also maintains a statewide locator and directs residents in Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, Shoshone, and Benewah counties to Second Harvest's northern Idaho network.
Housing, rent, and utility help
Housing assistance is divided among state programs, regional agencies, and local housing authorities. The correct application depends on the county and the type of help needed.
LIHEAP and Weatherization
Idaho's heating and weatherization programs are handled through participating Community Action Agencies. Crisis assistance may be available when service is disconnected, at risk of disconnection, past due, or nearly out of bulk fuel.
Housing Choice Vouchers
Idaho Housing administers Housing Choice Vouchers in 34 of Idaho's 44 counties. Waiting lists can be lengthy, and the correct housing authority must be used before applying.
Idaho Housing: 855-505-4700
Homelessness and emergency housing
Idaho Housing lists regional Access Points, shelters, domestic violence programs, meals, and other immediate resources. Contacting an Access Point does not guarantee housing placement, but it can connect a household with the correct regional system.
HousingIdaho rental search
Search for available rentals across Idaho, including properties that may offer reduced rents or rents based on household income.
County routing matters. Ada County residents apply through the Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities. Pocatello residents use the city's housing authority. Adams, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, and Washington counties use the Southwestern Idaho Cooperative Housing Authority. Idaho Housing handles the remaining counties listed in its application system.
Healthcare coverage and clinics
Medicaid is administered through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Private health plans and possible premium assistance are available through Your Health Idaho. Community health centers can be another starting point for medical, dental, pharmacy, or behavioral health care.
Idaho Medicaid
Apply online through Idalink or contact Idaho Health and Welfare by phone or at a field office. Eligibility depends on the Medicaid program, household details, income, and other requirements.
Phone: 877-456-1233
Your Health Idaho
Compare private health plans and check for tax credits or cost-sharing reductions. Enrollment is generally available during annual open enrollment or after a qualifying life event.
Phone: 855-944-3246
Community health centers
Community health centers serve people across Idaho, including patients who are uninsured or have limited access to care. Search for nearby medical, dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health services.
Child care, family, and cash assistance
Child care costs and short-term income loss can make it difficult to keep working or attending school. Idaho provides separate programs for child care assistance, temporary family cash support, and child care searches.
Idaho Child Care Program
ICCP may help eligible families pay part of their child care costs while working or participating in an approved education or training program.
Phone: 877-456-1233
IdahoSTARS
Search Idaho's child care provider database and review licensing, quality, safety, and family resources. A local child care Resource Specialist can also be reached through 211.
Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho
TAFI provides temporary cash benefits to eligible low-income families and certain relative caregivers. Program rules include income, resource, and participation requirements, and a one-time diversion payment may be considered in some circumstances.
Phone: 877-456-1233
Work, legal help, and essential services
Job loss, a legal problem, or the loss of phone or internet access can quickly affect housing, healthcare, and the ability to apply for other assistance.
Idaho unemployment insurance
Unemployment claims must be filed through the Idaho Department of Labor Claimant Portal. Idaho does not accept unemployment claims by telephone, but local Labor offices can help people who do not have internet access.
Questions: 208-332-8942
Idaho job search and training
Idaho Department of Labor connects job seekers with IdahoWorks, local offices, job training, apprenticeships, veteran services, and employment resources for people with disabilities.
Idaho Legal Aid Services
Eligible Idahoans may be able to receive free civil legal advice involving housing, public benefits, seniors, domestic violence, and other covered matters. Full representation is not guaranteed.
Advice Line: 208-746-7541, Monday through Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mountain Time
Federal Lifeline benefit
Lifeline may lower the monthly cost of phone or internet service for households that qualify by income or through programs such as SNAP or Medicaid.
Support: 800-234-9473
Older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers
Idaho's Aging and Disability Resource Center connects residents with local information on meals, transportation, caregiver support, home services, Medicare-related help, safety, and long-term support options.
Aging and Disability Resource Center
The ADRC helps older adults, people with disabilities, families, and caregivers locate the Area Agency on Aging and other services available in their part of Idaho.
Crisis and safety resources
If someone is in immediate danger or cannot stay safe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for free, confidential support involving emotional distress, mental health, suicide concerns, alcohol or drug use, or another behavioral health crisis. Support is available 24 hours a day.
Adult and youth crisis centers
Idaho maintains regional crisis centers for adults and separate youth crisis centers. Adult centers provide emergency mental health and substance use services without charge to patients in need.
Confidential safety support
The Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence lists local programs across Idaho. The National Domestic Violence Hotline also provides confidential support, safety planning, and local referrals 24 hours a day.
National hotline: 800-799-7233 or TTY 800-787-3224
Review the household budget and unsecured debt together
Public assistance may help with one urgent cost while credit cards, medical bills, collections, personal loans, or payday loans continue taking money from the rest of the budget. Money Fit nonprofit credit counseling can help Idaho residents review income, expenses, debts, and possible next steps.
A debt management plan may be discussed when it fits the budget and eligible unsecured debts. It is not a new loan or debt settlement, and creditor participation and concessions can vary.
Money Fit does not provide cash assistance, food benefits, rent assistance, utility benefits, government benefits, or emergency grants. The counseling form below is for help reviewing debt and monthly payments.
Open the Money Fit debt review form
Share a few details so Money Fit can respond to your request. Your information stays with Money Fit and is not sent to a marketplace of lenders or debt companies.
