Utah financial assistance directory
Low-Income Help and Resources in Utah
If household costs are hard to manage, Utah has programs that may help with food, housing, utilities, healthcare, child care, cash assistance, employment, and other basic needs. Department of Workforce Services programs use myCase for several statewide benefits, while housing, energy, aging, legal, and emergency services often route residents to local or regional providers.
Money Fit serves Utah residents statewide. If debt or monthly payments are also part of the problem, call 800-432-0310 or start a confidential debt review.
Where to start
Utah Department of Workforce Services is the main application point for SNAP, financial assistance, Medicaid eligibility, and child care assistance. For local food, housing, utility, transportation, legal, healthcare, and other community services, 211 Utah can connect residents with programs serving their area.
Apply for food, cash, medical, or child care benefits
Utah myCase lets residents apply for SNAP, financial assistance, medical benefits, and child care assistance, then manage case information, reviews, notices, and changes.
Find nearby help statewide
211 Utah provides free, confidential, multilingual referrals for food, housing, utilities, healthcare, transportation, legal help, employment, child care, and other community services.
Housing or utility assistance
Utah's HEAT and Weatherization programs use local agencies, public housing and vouchers are handled by local housing authorities, and homelessness services are coordinated through regional systems and 211 Utah.
Local routing matters in Utah. HEAT, weatherization, public housing, homelessness services, Area Agencies on Aging, and many legal or community programs serve defined counties or regions. Confirm the office that serves your ZIP code or county before relying on application instructions or availability.
Food assistance
For ongoing grocery help, start with SNAP or WIC when the household may qualify. For food needed sooner, Utah Food Bank and 211 Utah can help locate pantries, mobile distributions, senior food boxes, and other local programs.
Utah SNAP
SNAP helps eligible households buy groceries. Applications can be submitted online through myCase, at a Department of Workforce Services office, or by requesting a paper application.
Eligibility Services: 866-435-7414
Utah WIC
WIC provides supplemental foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals for eligible pregnant and postpartum participants, infants, and children under age five. Local WIC clinics complete certification and appointments.
State WIC questions: 877-942-5437
Utah Food Bank statewide network
Utah Food Bank works with partner agencies in every county and operates food pantries, mobile pantries, senior food boxes, and other hunger-relief programs. Pantry schedules can change, so confirm the location and hours before traveling.
Utah SNAP purchase rules changed January 1, 2026. Utah SNAP benefits can no longer be used to purchase soft drinks as defined by the state's approved waiver. Other SNAP eligibility, work, and purchase rules still apply, so households should use current Department of Workforce Services guidance when shopping or renewing benefits.
Utah WIC income guidelines changed July 1, 2026. The current WIC income guidelines are effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Households receiving Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF may already meet the program's income test, but WIC staff still complete certification.
Housing, rent, and utility help
Utah housing and utility assistance is spread across local HEAT and weatherization agencies, public housing authorities, homelessness providers, legal-aid organizations, and 211 Utah. Funding, waiting lists, and seasonal availability can change.
Utah HEAT Program
The Home Energy Assistance Target program helps eligible low-income households with home energy costs. The program year runs from October 1 through September 30 or until federal LIHEAP funds are exhausted. Households with an older adult, a person with a disability, or a child under age six can apply beginning October 1; general-public applications are processed beginning November 1.
Utah Weatherization Assistance Program
Weatherization can help eligible households reduce energy costs and improve home safety and comfort. Utah routes applications through regional agencies, and qualifying households are prioritized and may be placed on a waiting list.
Local public housing authorities
Public housing and Housing Choice Voucher programs are administered by local housing authorities. Waiting-list status, application periods, preferences, and service areas differ by agency.
HUD public housing help: 800-955-2232
Utah Office of Homeless Services and 211 Utah
Utah's homelessness response is organized through regional Continua of Care, Local Homeless Councils, shelters, and nonprofit providers. The Office of Homeless Services directs people seeking immediate help to 211 Utah for local shelter and housing resources.
Call: 211 or 888-826-9790
Utah Legal Services
Utah Legal Services is a statewide nonprofit legal-aid program. Eligible residents may receive help with housing, public benefits, family safety, consumer matters, and other civil legal problems. Service eligibility and case acceptance depend on the issue, income, location, and available resources.
Apply or ask about legal help: 801-328-8891
The current HEAT program year ends September 30, 2026. As of September 17, 2026, eligible applications can continue through September 30 if federal funds remain. The next program year begins October 1, with priority-household applications accepted then and general-public applications processed beginning November 1.
Healthcare coverage and clinics
Utah Medicaid eligibility is handled through the Department of Workforce Services. Community health centers can provide local primary care and other services regardless of insurance status, with sliding-fee policies based on income and household size.
Utah Medicaid
Residents can apply for Medicaid online through myCase, by mail, by fax, or at a Department of Workforce Services office. Eligibility depends on the Medicaid program, income, residency, citizenship or qualifying immigration status, age, disability, pregnancy, and other program rules.
DWS eligibility questions: 866-435-7414
Utah CHIP
Utah's Children's Health Insurance Program provides health coverage for qualifying children in households that do not qualify for Medicaid. Applications and eligibility questions are handled through the same DWS application system used for other medical benefits.
CHIP information: 877-KIDS-NOW (877-543-7669)
HealthCare.gov
Utah uses the federal Health Insurance Marketplace. Residents who are not eligible for Medicaid or CHIP may be able to compare private plans and receive premium tax credits or other savings depending on household circumstances and current federal rules.
Marketplace call center: 800-318-2596
Community health centers
Federally supported health centers provide primary care and may offer dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, substance-use treatment, and other services. Health centers serve insured and uninsured patients and use sliding-fee programs based on income and family size.
Utah Medicaid rules begin changing October 1, 2026 and January 1, 2027. Utah says some immigration-related eligibility rules change October 1, 2026. Starting January 1, 2027, some adults in Adult Expansion Medicaid and Targeted Adult Medicaid will need to document at least 80 hours per month of qualifying work or community engagement unless exempt, and some affected members will complete eligibility reviews every six months. Verified American Indian and Alaska Native members are excluded from those new requirements.
Child care, family, and cash assistance
Utah Department of Workforce Services administers child care subsidies and temporary financial assistance. Local Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide early learning and family support in communities across the state.
Utah Child Care Assistance
Child Care Assistance can pay all or part of approved child care costs for eligible families. Benefits are reviewed every 12 months, and eligibility depends on household income, work or approved training activity, the child's age or special needs, and use of an approved provider.
Eligibility Services: 866-435-7414
Family Employment Program
Utah's Family Employment Program provides temporary cash assistance and employment support to qualifying families. The regular FEP program can provide up to 36 months of financial support within a lifetime, subject to eligibility and program requirements.
Family Employment Program - Two Parent
Families with two parents who are able to work may qualify for the Family Employment Two Parent program. The program combines temporary cash assistance with employment planning and can include child care or other supportive services when needed for approved activities.
Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start programs provide early learning, health, nutrition, and family support for eligible young children and families. Local programs handle applications, openings, eligibility, and waiting lists.
Locator help: 866-763-6481
Utah has posted new child care income eligibility and copayment tables effective October 1, 2026. Families applying or renewing near that date should use the current Department of Workforce Services limits rather than an older income chart. Approved child care benefits are generally reviewed on a 12-month cycle, subject to program rules and household changes.
Work, legal help, and essential services
Job loss, legal problems, and loss of affordable phone or internet service can affect housing, healthcare, transportation, and the rest of the household budget.
Utah unemployment insurance
Eligible workers who lose employment or have hours reduced may qualify for temporary unemployment insurance benefits. Claims are filed through the Utah Department of Workforce Services unemployment system.
Claims Assistance and Re-Employment Team: 801-526-4400
Utah Workforce Services job seeker help
Utah Workforce Services offers free job-search tools, resume and interview help, workshops, career counseling, training information, veteran resources, and employment-center support.
Utah Legal Services
Utah Legal Services provides statewide civil legal assistance to qualifying residents. Topics may include housing, public benefits, consumer debt, family safety, employment, and other civil matters.
Apply or ask about help: 801-328-8891
Federal Lifeline benefit
Lifeline may reduce the monthly cost of qualifying phone or broadband service. Eligibility can be based on household income or participation in certain public benefit programs.
Lifeline Support Center: 800-234-9473
Older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers
Utah Aging and Adult Services connects residents with regional Area Agencies on Aging for meals, transportation, caregiver support, home-based services, Medicare counseling, and other community resources. Separate state programs serve people with disabilities and investigate abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Area Agencies on Aging
Utah's Area Agencies on Aging serve defined regions and connect adults age 60 and older with programs that may include meals, transportation, home-based services, legal help, wellness programs, caregiver support, and Medicare counseling.
Utah Caregiver Support Program
Area Agencies on Aging coordinate caregiver information, service navigation, counseling or support groups, education, respite care, and limited supplemental services for qualifying unpaid caregivers. Availability varies by region.
Utah Division of Services for People with Disabilities
DSPD oversees home and community-based services and provides resource navigation for people with intellectual, developmental, and other qualifying disabilities and their families.
Utah Adult Protective Services
Adult Protective Services investigates reports of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation involving vulnerable or older adults. Telephone reports are accepted Monday-Friday during business hours, and online reports are available 24 hours a day.
Report by phone: 800-371-7897
Crisis, safety, and disaster resources
If someone is in immediate danger, has a life-threatening medical emergency, or cannot stay safe, call 911.
988 Utah
Call or text 988 for free, confidential emotional and mental health support. Utah's 988 system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can also connect people with mobile crisis teams or crisis receiving centers when appropriate.
Call or text: 988
Utah Domestic Violence Coalition LINKLine
The statewide LINKLine provides free, confidential domestic violence support and connects callers or texters with local shelters, advocates, safety planning, and other resources. Advocates are available 24 hours a day.
Call or text: 800-897-LINK (5465)
211 Utah
211 Utah provides free, confidential, multilingual referrals to local food, housing, healthcare, transportation, legal, employment, child care, and other community services. Current phone service hours are posted on the 211 Utah website.
Call: 211 or 888-826-9790
Cottonwood Fire and Flooding disaster loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration issued a September 9, 2026 disaster declaration for the Cottonwood Fire and Flooding affecting Beaver County and specified contiguous counties. Homeowners and renters with qualifying physical damage may apply for SBA disaster loans. These are loans, not grants.
Physical damage application deadline: November 9, 2026
SBA disaster assistance: 800-659-2955
Utah emergency management and FEMA
Utah experienced multiple wildfire and flood emergencies in 2026. FEMA fire-management declarations help governments with eligible firefighting costs and do not provide direct household assistance. As of September 17, 2026, FEMA lists no active Disaster Recovery Centers in Utah. Residents affected by a current event should check state emergency information, 211 Utah, and DisasterAssistance.gov for any new household assistance declaration.
Review the household budget and unsecured debt together
Public assistance can help with basic expenses while credit cards, medical bills, collections, personal loans, payday loans, or other unsecured debts continue affecting the household budget. Money Fit nonprofit credit counseling can help Utah residents review income, expenses, debts, and possible options.
A debt management plan may organize eligible unsecured debt into one monthly payment to Money Fit, which then sends payments to participating creditors. A DMP is not a new loan or debt settlement. Creditor participation, concessions, account treatment, fees, and payment changes 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.
Related Money Fit resources
These resources can help with debt, housing, financial education, and assistance in other states.
