IDAHO

What benefits can a single mother get in Idaho?

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A single mother with two children in Idaho with no income may qualify for up to $309 a month in cash assistance (TANF) and up to $808 a month in food benefits (SNAP). A one-time utility payment (LIHEAP) may add up to $1,285. Child care assistance and Medicaid coverage may also be available.

Idaho Benefits Overview

Last updated: November 12, 2026

Benefit amounts and eligibility requirements are subject to change. Always verify current program requirements with the administering agency.

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Estimated benefits for a single mother in Idaho

Program	Estimated maximum amount
Cash Aid Short-term cash assistance for basic needs, rent, and utility bills.
Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho (TAFI)	$309a month
Food & Nutrition Grocery and nutrition assistance through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Summer EBT, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program.
SNAP	$808a month
WIC	$52a month
Housing & Utilities Assistance with rent, home repairs, or heating/cooling bills.
LIHEAP	$1,285one time
Section 8	Check eligibility
Education & Training Tuition, books, and school expenses for single mothers returning to college or vocational training. Apply through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Pell Grant	$7,395a year
For the 2027—2028 academic year, a single mother in a household of 3 in Idaho can earn up to $59,963 and still qualify for the maximum Pell grant of $7,395.
Idaho Opportunity Scholarship	$3,500a year
Other financial assistance programs Copay
Child Care Program (ICCP)	Estimated copay
Medicaid	Check eligibility
If help is urgent
Call 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine for food today, a safe place to stay, or help with a bill you cannot pay.

This is an unofficial benefits estimator. No personal data is collected or stored. Actual amounts may vary based on individual circumstances, location, eligibility criteria, and recent data updates at the time of application. The federal programs available in every state are described in the guide to grants for single mothers.

Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho (TAFI)

Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho (TAFI) provides monthly cash assistance and work preparation services for low-income families with children in Idaho.

The aim is to provide necessary assistance to neediest families with children on a temporary basis, up to a lifetime limit of 24 months.

Eligible families may receive a maximum of $309 per month, regardless of family size. Actual benefit amounts may vary based on the family’s as income and resources.

What is the income limit for TANF in Idaho?

How do I apply for TANF in Idaho?

Applications for TAFI can now be done online through IdaLink which is the official self-service portal for residents of Idaho to apply for public assistance from the comfort of their home.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Self-Reliance Benefits Assistance
(877) 456-1233

Aid for Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD)

The Aid for Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD) Program, the other cash assistance under TANF, provides a certain amount of cash each month for individuals who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled.

The maximum payment amount for a person living independently in the community is capped at $53 per month. Eligible individuals may also receive AABD Medicaid.

To apply for AABD Cash Assistance in Idaho, you may:

• Call (877) 456-1233 for an interviw
• Visit a local Department of Health and Welfare office
• Apply online at IdaLink

Idaho Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Idaho SNAP helps low-income individuals and families afford a nutritionally adequate diet by providing monthly food assistance benefits to help pay for groceries.

SNAP benefits are available to families whose income is equal to or below 130% of the poverty guideline. For a family of three with no income, that’s about $808 per month.

Eligible households will be issued an Idaho Quest Card which can be used instead of cash to purchase food items at one of the 1,100 authorized retail locations around the state.

How do I apply for SNAP in Idaho?

Applications for SNAP can be done online through IdaLink or in person at the closest DHW field office. After your application is received and reviewed, you will be contacted for an eligibility interview.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Self-Reliance Benefits Assistance
(877) 456-1233

Idaho Medicaid

Idaho Medicaid, also known as Idaho Health Plan Coverage, provides health coverage to eligible children, pregnant people, adults, older adults, and people with disabilities, including traditional coverage categories.

Idaho has different benefit plans to address members’ health needs. The Basic Plan covers routine care, while the Enhanced Plan adds services for members with disabilities or other qualifying needs.

Can I apply for Idaho Medicaid online?

Applications for Medicaid in Idaho can be made online through IdaLink or over the phone by calling the Department of Health and Welfare.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Medicaid Customer Service
(877) 456-1233

Idaho Health Plan (CHIP)

Idaho Health Plan provides comprehensive health care to uninsured children through the age of 18 whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford private coverage.

Coverage includes, but are not limited to, well-child visits, doctor visits, prescriptions, immunizations, dental and vision care, hospitalization, among others.

What is the income limit for Idaho Health Plan?

In Idaho, children whose family income level is under 190% of poverty level are eligible for Idaho Heath Plan. That’s about $4,326 per month for a family of three.

CHIP may charge a small monthly premium of $10 or $15 per child, depending on income, with total annual cost-sharing capped at 5% of a family’s income.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Medicaid Customer Service
(877) 456-1233

Idaho Special Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

Idaho WIC is a supplemental nutrition program designed to improve the health of nutritionally at-risk women, infants and children up to age 5.

It helps eligible families save money and promote healthy lifestyle choices by providing healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services at no cost.

What is the income limit for WIC in Idaho?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, women, infants, and children in Idaho with gross monthly income under 185% of the poverty level are eligible for WIC assistance.¹

How to apply for WIC in Idaho?

WIC has local offices all over Idaho.² Find your local WIC Clinic to set up your first appointment or call 2-1-1 to find the WIC office nearest you.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Idaho WIC
(866) 347-5484

Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP)

Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP) a state-administered initiative that helps low-income, working families pay for child care, with eligibility based on income and family size.

ICCP serves families in Idaho with children under the age of 13 or over 13 if a child has a disability who are income eligible and are working or going to college. Priority is given to families already receiving Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho (TAFI).

Families are responsible for a portion of the cost, known as a co-payment (co-pay), which is paid directly to the child care provider based on a sliding scale.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in Idaho?

A family in Idaho is considered “income eligible” when their gross monthly income is less than 130% of the federal poverty level at the time of initial application or about $2,960 per month for a family of three, above which the family is ineligible.

How do I apply for ICCP in Idaho?

To apply for Idaho child care assistance (ICCP), contact the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare at (877) 456-1233 or apply in person at the nearest DHW office.

You may be required to submit documentation verifying your identity, household income, current child care expenses, and, where applicable, the immigration status of each child.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Child Care Program (ICCP)
(877) 456-1233

Idaho Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Idaho LIHEAP provides eligible households with a one-time benefit to help pay for the primary heating utility during the winter season. The program also offers crisis assistance for households facing an immediate heating emergency, such as a utility shut-off notice.

Eligibility is based on income and benefit amounts are determined by the household’s historical energy usage. Households with the elderly or disabled or a young child under age 5 are given priority consideration.

Families must meet the income limits to receive LIHEAP benefits. For Idaho LIHEAP, income limits are set at 60% of the State Median Income (SMI).

How do I apply for LIHEAP in Idaho?

Idaho does not have a statewide online application portal. You can apply by downloading and completing the Application for Energy Assistance and submitting it to your local Community Action Agency.

Standard heating assistance applications are usually open from October 1 through March 31, while crisis assistance is available year-round as funding allows.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
(800) 926-2588

Idaho Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

Idaho’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) enables low-income families to reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient.

Services may include, but are not limited to, insulation of attics and walls, heating system repairs or replacement, installation of energy-efficient lighting and refrigerators.

What are the income guidelines for weatherization in Idaho?

Idaho WAP serves low-income households whose monthly income is at or below 200% of the poverty line. That’s about $54,640 for a family of three.

Priority is given to the most vulnerable households, such as families with young children, elderly and disabled members or eligible families with emergency heating situations.

How do I apply for WAP in Idaho?

To apply for weatherization assistance, contact the local CAP Agency in your area for further information on program requirements and application procedures.

Idaho Opportunity Scholarship

Idaho Opportunity Scholarship is a renewable, need-based grant for Idaho residents pursuing their first undergraduate degree or certificate at eligible in-state institutions.

The scholarship provides up to $3,500 a year for a maximum of four years. Students can use the Opportunity Scholarship at any public Idaho institution and BYU-Idaho, Northwest Nazarene University, and College of Idaho.

Applicants for the opportunity scholarship are selected on the basis of demonstrated financial need as determined by the FAFSA and their cumulative GPA.

Idaho State Board of Education
Idaho Opportunity Scholarship
(208) 334-2270

Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit

Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit program that helps Idaho families cover tuition and educational expenses for K-12 students ages 5—18 not enrolled in public schools.

The credit allows eligible families to receive up to $5,000 per student for expenses incurred during the 2025 tax year, or up to $7,500 for students with a qualifying disability.³

The funds can be used to pay for, or reimburse, expenses such as:

• Nonpublic school tuition and fees
• Tutoring services
• Textbooks and curriculum
• National standardized assessments, AP exams, and preparatory courses
• Transportation costs to and from a nonpublic school

The application period for the 2025 tax year opens on January 15, 2026, and is scheduled to remain open until March 15, 2026 through the Idaho Taxpayer Access Point (TAP).

The program is capped at $50 million annually and is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority is given to families with incomes at or below 300% of the federal poverty level.

Idaho State Tax Commission
(208) 334-7660