Eligibility for food and nutrition assistance programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and school meals programs may vary depending on the individual's immigration status and other factors.

In general, most non-citizens are not eligible for SNAP. However, some non-citizens may be eligible if they meet certain requirements, such as having a qualifying immigration status, being a refugee, asylee, or victim of trafficking, or being a lawfully present non-citizen who is elderly, disabled, or a parent of a U.S. citizen child.

WIC is generally available to pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5 who meet certain income and residency requirements, regardless of immigration status.

School meal programs, including the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program, are generally available to all children attending participating schools, regardless of their immigration status.

Recently, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a Food Resource Page for non-citizens who are at different stages of documentation so that they can more easily find the Food and Nutrition Services programs for which they are eligible. 

It's important to note that eligibility for these programs may vary by state and may be subject to change, so it's always best to check with the relevant agency or program for the most up-to-date information.

Are you struggling to pay your home energy bills? If so, you may be able to get help through the Kansas Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP).

What is LIEAP?

LIEAP is a federally funded program that provides financial assistance to low-income households in Kansas to help them pay for their home energy bills. The program is administered by the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and is available to households that meet certain income and household size requirements and are responsible for paying their own home energy bills. If you are struggling to pay your home energy bills, LIEAP can provide you with the financial assistance you need to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

What do you need to know in order to apply for LIEAP?

You must apply for LIEAP during the application period which, for 2023, runs from Tuesday, January 3, 2023 through 5:00 p.m on Friday, March 31, 2023.To apply for LIEAP, you will need to provide proof of your income, household size, and energy bills. You may also be required to provide other information or documentation, depending on your individual circumstances. Go to the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) website where you will find information about LIEAP, how to apply, eligibility requirements, and the documents and information that you will need to provide. When you are ready, you can apply online through the  DCF Self-Service Portal.You can also apply for LIEAP by contacting the DCF directly at 1-800-432-0043.

What can you expect after you apply for LIEAP?

After you apply for LIEAP, the DCF will review your application and determine if you are eligible for assistance. If you are approved for LIEAP, a one-time payment will be made directly to your energy provider to help you pay your energy bills. The amount of the payment will be based on your household size, income, and energy needs. If you are not approved for LIEAP, the DCF will notify you in writing and provide you with information on how to appeal the decision.

If you are struggling to pay your home energy bills and think you may be eligible for LIEAP assistance, don't hesitate to apply. You can contact the Kansas DCF or visit their website for more information on how to apply and for a list of the documents and information you will need to provide.

KanCare is a program in Kansas that provides healthcare coverage to low-income individuals and families who are eligible for Medicaid. The program is administered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and is funded by both the state of Kansas and the federal government.

One of the managed care organizations (MCOs) that contracts with the KDHE to provide Medicaid benefits to beneficiaries through KanCare is the United Healthcare Community Plan. The United Healthcare Community Plan is a private health insurance company that provides a range of healthcare services to its members, including primary and preventive care, hospital and emergency room services, and specialty care. The plan also covers prescription medications and certain long-term care services, such as nursing home care and home and community-based services.

But that's not all! In addition to these standard benefits, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan also offers several neat value-added benefits to its members. Value-added benefits are additional services or benefits that are provided in addition to the standard package of healthcare services covered under the plan. These benefits are intended to enhance the overall value of the plan and improve the health and well-being of members. The chart below outlines the Value Added Benefits for 2023.

As you can see, the value-added benefits offered by the United Healthcare Community Plan include wellness programs, disease management programs, telemedicine services, mental health, and substance abuse services, and maternity and newborn care. These benefits can be a great resource for individuals and families to access the healthcare services and support they need to stay healthy. 

If you or a family member are eligible for KanCare and United Healthcare Community Plan, we encourage you to take advantage of these value-added benefits. 

The Summer Benefit

The Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) benefit, is a program that provides assistance to low-income families to help them buy food during the summer months when children are out of school and may not have access to free or reduced-price school meals. The Summer EBT benefit is administered by the states and is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Eligible households receive a certain amount of money on an electronic benefit card, which can be used to buy food at participating retailers. The amount of the benefit is based on the number of children in the household and the length of the summer vacation period.

The Summer EBT benefit is intended to help families meet the increased food needs of their children during the summer months, when they may not have access to free or reduced-price school meals. It is designed to supplement the SNAP benefit that families receive during the rest of the year, and is available to families who receive SNAP benefits or who are eligible for SNAP but do not currently receive benefits.

The Supplemental P-EBT Benefit

Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) is the system that allows individuals and families to receive and use government benefits, such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), using a debit-like card called an EBT card. EBT cards can be used at participating retailers to purchase eligible items, such as food and household supplies.

Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) is a temporary program that was established in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. P-EBT provides financial assistance to low-income families with children who have lost access to free or reduced-price school meals due to school closures or other disruptions caused by the pandemic. P-EBT benefits are provided on an EBT card, which can be used to purchase food at participating retailers.

EBT is a system for receiving and using government benefits, while P-EBT is a specific program that provides financial assistance to low-income families with children who have lost access to school meals due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Supplemental P-EBT Benefit covers the months of June, July, and August 2022, and was made possible, in part, by the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2021 that included provisions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The benefit provides a one-time payment of $391 on the Kansas Benefit Card for each eligible child.

Eligibility

• All school-aged students who were eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals at a school through the National School Lunch Program during the 2020-2021 school year are eligible to receive the Supplemental P-EBT Benefit. The 2020-2021 school year is used for eligibility because lunches were free to ALL students during the 2021-2022 school year. 
• Children 6 years of age and younger who received food assistance / SNAP in June, July, or August 2022 are eligible.
• Any students newly eligible for free or reduced-price meals for the 2021-2022 school year prior to Aug 8, 2022, are eligible.
• Children who attended a Head Start program and were enrolled in the free or reduced-price meals program for the 2021-2022 school year are eligible.

Distribution

For most eligible participants, the Supplemental P-EBT Benefit was auto-issued to a Kansas Benefits Card, as a one-time deposit, between December 12-24, 2022. If you did not receive the auto-issuance of the $391 per child benefit, you may apply for the benefit through the DCF Self-Service Portal from Jan 1-31, 2023. 

For more information about eligibility and distribution, and reasons for why you may not have received it, please review this P-EBT Flyer or contact DCF Customer Service at 1-833-765-2003.

As the New Year approaches, many of us are thinking about our resolutions and the changes we want to make in our lives. If one of your resolutions is to improve your financial situation or give back to your community, consider the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) as a way to do both.

SNAP, commonly known as food stamps, is a federally funded program that helps low-income individuals and families afford food. If you are struggling to make ends meet or know someone who is, SNAP can provide much-needed financial assistance to purchase groceries and other household items.

Not only can SNAP help you meet your immediate needs, but it can also have long-term benefits. The program is designed to stimulate the economy by increasing consumer spending on food, which in turn supports local farmers and food producers. Additionally, SNAP has been shown to significantly reduce poverty rates among both children and adults, helping to create a more financially stable future for those in need.

If you want to make a positive impact in your community, consider volunteering with or donating to organizations (like ours!) that assist with SNAP enrollment and the application process. These organizations can help connect individuals and families with the resources they need to improve their financial situation and achieve their New Year's resolutions.

If you or someone you know is interested in applying for SNAP, eligibility is determined by several factors including income, household size, and assets. You can find more information and apply online at the DCF Self-Service Portal or by calling any of the offices listed at the bottom of this webpage.

SNAP is a valuable resource for those in need and can be a fulfilling way to give back to your community. As you make your New Year's resolutions, consider how you can improve your financial situation and make a positive impact in your community through SNAP.

At Catholic Charities, we often help people with applications for services through the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF). DCF is a state agency that works to protect children, promote healthy families, and support individuals in need. DCF offers a wide range of programs and services to help families and individuals meet their basic needs, achieve stability, and build successful, self-sufficient lives.

DCF offers a variety of resources and support to help families and individuals meet their basic needs. This includes the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, which provides financial assistance to low-income families to help them meet their basic needs, including food, housing, and clothing. TANF also includes a work component, which requires participants to engage in activities that will help them to become self-sufficient, such as job training or education programs. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance and these applications are also filed through DCF.

DCF also offers support to youth and young adults who have experienced foster care as they transition to adulthood. This includes the independent living program, which provides resources and support to help young people make the transition to adulthood, and the extended foster care program, which allows young people to remain in foster care past the age of 18 if they are not yet ready to live independently.

DCF is also committed to helping individuals and families improve their employment, education, and training opportunities. This includes a variety of programs to help individuals improve their employment prospects, as well as assistance with accessing financial resources or programs to help pay for education and training.

In addition to these programs, DCF helps those in need through its child protective services program. This program is designed to protect children from abuse, neglect, and other forms of harm. If a child is found to be at risk of abuse or neglect, DCF may provide support to the family in the form of in-home services or may place the child in foster care. DCF works to ensure that children in foster care are placed in safe, stable environments and receive the care and support they need.

DCF also helps those in need through its adoption and foster care program. This program works to find permanent homes for children who cannot live with their birth parents. DCF works with adoptive families to ensure that they are prepared to provide a loving, stable home for a child. DCF also supports foster families who provide temporary care for children while they wait for permanent placement.

Finally, DCF offers a variety of resources and support to help families with childcare expenses. This includes the Child Care Subsidy Program, which provides financial assistance to low-income families to help them afford the cost of child care, as well as information and referral services to help families find affordable childcare options in their area.

Overall, the Kansas Department for Children and Families is dedicated to helping those in need through a variety of programs and services. Whether it's protecting children from abuse and neglect, finding permanent homes for children in foster care, helping low-income families meet their basic needs, or supporting individuals as they improve their employment, education, and training opportunities, DCF is committed to improving the lives of Kansas families. If you need help or you need help with DCF applications for assistance please contact us at any of the offices listed at the bottom of this page.

Tax season can be stressful for anyone, but it can be particularly overwhelming for low-income families who may not have the resources or knowledge to navigate the tax system effectively. However, there are a number of tax resources and assistance programs available to help low-income families get the support they need.

Here are some tips and resources to help low-income families get ready for tax day:

1. Take advantage of free tax preparation services: If you have a low income, you may be eligible for free tax preparation services through programs like the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program or the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program. These programs are staffed by volunteers who are trained to assist with tax preparation and provide counseling on issues specific to seniors. You can find a VITA or TCE site near you by using the IRS's VITA/TCE locator tool.

2. Use the IRS Free File program: If your adjusted gross income is $72,000 or less, you can use the IRS Free File program to file your federal tax return online for free. The program offers a variety of tax preparation software options to choose from, so you can find the one that best fits your needs.

3. Claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): The EITC is a tax credit for low- and moderate-income working individuals and families. It is designed to help offset the burden of Social Security taxes and to provide an incentive to work. If you are eligible for the EITC, it can significantly reduce the amount of tax you owe or increase the refund you receive.

4. Gather all of your tax documents: To make the tax preparation process as smooth as possible, it's important to gather all of the necessary tax documents before you start. This includes things like W-2 forms, 1099 forms, and receipts for any tax-deductible expenses you incurred during the year.

5. Don't wait until the last minute: Filing your taxes at the last minute can increase the chances of making mistakes or missing out on credits and deductions that you may be eligible for. It's a good idea to start gathering your tax documents and working on your tax return as early as possible, so you have plenty of time to review everything and make sure it's accurate.

6. Consider hiring a tax professional: If you're not comfortable preparing your own taxes or you have a more complex tax situation, you may want to consider hiring a tax professional to help you. You can find a tax professional in your area by using the IRS's directory of tax professionals.

By taking advantage of the resources and assistance programs available to low-income families, you can make the tax preparation process as stress-free as possible and get the support you need to make good decisions and file your taxes accurately.