KANSAS

Kansas Successful Families Program

Successful Families Program is Kansas’ version of TANF that provides monthly cash assistance to very low-income families with children under age 18.

It is primarily intended to provide necessary assistance to neediest families with children on a temporary basis, including medical benefits and child care.

In Kansas, receipt of cash assistance is limited to 24 months in a lifetime but allows for “hardship extensions” of up to an additional 12 months for a total of 36 months.

How much is cash assistance in Kansas?

Cash assistance amounts vary based on the county in which you live. Maximum benefit levels are generally higher in metropolitan or higher-population counties than in rural counties.

For example, a family of three may receive up to $429 per month in certain high-cost counties, but no more than $386 in lower-cost locales.

How do I apply for TANF in Kansas?

Families can apply for the program through the DCF Self-Service Portal  or by contacting their local Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) office.

Kansas Department for Children and Families
Economic and Employment Services
(888) 369-4777

Kansas Food Assistance Program

Kansas Food Assistance Program is a nutrition assistance program that provides monthly benefits to help families with little or no income buy the food they need to maintain a nutritionally adequate diet.

Monthly benefits are provided on a “Kansas Benefits Card” that can be used to purchase food from local grocery stores or wherever EBT is accepted.

Most families in Kansas with gross income up to 130% of the federal poverty level qualify for food assistance. For example, a family of three qualifies for the program if it has a gross monthly income of $2,960 or less.

How do I sign up for food stamps in Kansas?

Applications are available at your local DCF Service Center. ¹ You may also submit your application online through DCF Self-Service Portal .

Kansas Department for Children and Families
Economic and Employment Services
(888) 369-4777

KanCare

KanCare is Kansas’s Medicaid program for eligible children, pregnant women, parents, older adults, and people with disabilities. Most members receive services through a managed care organization and select a health plan during enrollment.

Kansas has not adopted Medicaid expansion, which limits coverage pathways for some low-income adults. Non-disabled parents and caretaker relatives may qualify but the income limit is extremely low at 38% of the federal poverty level, or about $865 per month for a family of three.

How do I apply for KanCare in Kansas?

If you are applying for KanCare for the first time, you can call (800) 792-4884 to request an application or apply online through KanCare Self Service Portal , the official online platform for Kansas residents to apply for, manage, and get information about KanCare.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment
KanCare Clearinghouse
(800) 792-4884

Kansas CHIP

In Kansas, CHIP coverage is provided through KanCare, Kansas’ Medicaid program, and covers children under age 19 in families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid.

Participants in the CHIP program may be required to pay a monthly premium based on a sliding income scale. Families with household income between 166% and 255% of the FPL may be required to pay a monthly premium of $20–$50 per family to maintain coverage.

What is the income limit for CHIP in Kansas?

In Kansas, legislation was passed in 2022 to increase the CHIP eligibility income level to 255% of the current poverty level. For a family of three, it’s about $5,806 per month.

How do I apply for CHIP in Kansas?

You can apply for Medicaid or CHIP in Kansas in any of the following ways:

1. Online: Submit an application through KanCare Self Service Portal 
2. In person: Apply at a local Department for Children and Families (DCF) office ¹
3. By phone: Call the KanCare Clearinghouse at (800) 792-4884 to apply or request an application

Kansas uses a single application to determine whether your family qualifies for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Kansas Department of Health and Environment
KanCare Clearinghouse
(800) 792-4884

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

Kansas WIC is a nutrition program that provides nutrition and health education, healthy food and other services, at no cost, to Kansas families who qualify.

Kansas WIC serves women, infants, and children in Kansas whose gross income falls below certain limits and who are at risk for nutritional deficiencies.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, to be eligible, a household’s gross income must not exceed 185% of the federal poverty guidelines.² That’s about $4,212 per month for a family of three to qualify.

How much does WIC pay per month in Kansas?

In Kansas, children ages 1—4 receive $26 per month, while pregnant and postpartum women receive $47 per month, and breastfeeding women receive $52 per month.

How to apply for WIC in Kansas?

To apply for WIC benefits, you must call your local WIC agency  to schedule an appointment, during which there will be a brief review of foods you eat, medical history and current health status to determine the medical or nutritional need.

Kansas Department of Health and Environment
State WIC Office
(785) 296-3683

Kansas SUN Bucks

SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT, helps eligible families offset some of the costs of buying food for their school-aged children over summer break.

Each eligible child (ages 6—18) will get a one-time $120 benefit to buy groceries — that’s $40 per month for June, July, and August. The benefits will be added to an existing EBT card, known as Kansas Benefits Cards, or a newly issued SUN Bucks card.

Families with children who qualify who don’t receive payments automatically can apply online through the DCF Self-Service Portal .

Kansas Department for Children and Families
Summer EBT (SUN Bucks)
(888) 369-4777

Kansas Child Care Subsidy Program

Kansas’ Child Care Subsidy Program provides financial help for income-eligible families who need help paying for child care. Funding is limited and there is often a waiting list in place.

The program helps cover part of the child care costs for eligible families. Because it is a subsidy, parents are required to pay a portion of the cost on a sliding scale.

Parents can choose from various enrolled care types, including licensed centers, family child care homes, and in/out-of-home relative providers.

What is the maximum income for child care assistance in Kansas?

A family is considered “income eligible ” when the total gross monthly income is less than or equal to 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) at the time of initial application.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Kansas?

Pick up an application at any DCF Office ¹ in your town or county to enroll or apply online  or complete a self-assessment at Kansas’ Department for Children & Families.

Kansas Department for Children and Families
Economic and Employment Services
(888) 369-4777

Kansas Head Start/Early Head Start

Kansas Head Start provides comprehensive educational, health, nutritional, and social services for low-income children from birth to entry into elementary school. Priority is given to children with special needs.

Program services include:

• Quality early education
• Parent education
• Comprehensive health and mental health services, including services to women before, during and after pregnancy
• Nutrition education
• Family support service
• Child care for parents who are employed, attending school or in a job training program

In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Kansas and be responsible for a child who is too young for public school.

To find a Head Start or Early Head Start program near you, call (866) 763-6481 or use the Head Start Locator  to find the program serving your community.

Kansas Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

Kansas LIEAP is an energy assistance program that helps eligible low-income households pay a portion of their winter heating bills. Priority is given to households with elderly or disabled members, as well as households with children under age five.

LIEAP pays one benefit per year on behalf of eligible households with income not exceeding 150% of the poverty level. That’s about $3,415 per month for a family of three.

Eligible households may receive a one-time credit of up to $4,301. A supplemental payment for summer cooling may be issued, depending on the availability of funding.

How do I apply for LIEAP in Kansas?

LIEAP applications are available online through DCF Self-Service Portal  or in person at local DCF offices ¹ or through partnering agencies  throughout the state.

Kansas Department for Children and Families
LIEAP Customer Service
(888) 369-4777

Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA)

The KERA program is now closed. The KERA application portal is now closed and is no longer accessible to applicants.

Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance (KERA) program provides rent, utility, and internet assistance to households experiencing financial hardship.

KERA serves Kansans outside the city of Wichita earning no more than 80 percent of their area’s median income, and it covers:

1. up to 12 months of current and past due household rent
2. up to three months of prospective rent at a time, even if the household does not have rental arrears
3. past due residential utility, home energy (electric, gas, water, sewer, and trash services), and internet expenses

Landlords and tenants may apply via a joint online process . If the application is approved, the landlord and/or service provider receives funds directly from KERA.

Kansas Comprehensive Grant

Funded by the state of Kansas, Kansas Comprehensive Grant is available to financially needy Kansas residents who are enrolled full-time at a participating college or university in the state.

Eligible students with a Student Aid Index of 10,000 or less may receive up to $4,000 at the public institution or up to $10,000 at the private institution.

Funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis by the individual colleges until their state-allocated funding is exhausted.

To be considered, you must submit the FAFSA and list one or more eligible colleges. Priority is given to students who meet the April 1 priority deadline.

Kansas Career Work-Study (KCWS)

Kansas Career Work Study (KCWS) program is a state-funded program to help Kansas university students find part-time employment that directly relates to their academic major or career goals.

KCWS is available to Kansas residents enrolled at least half-time (6+ credit hours) at the six state universities and Washburn University during the Fall and Spring.

Students are generally restricted to working no more than 20 hours per week during the academic year, though they may work more during summers or breaks.

To be considered, you must file a FAFSA to establish financial need. If awarded, you will be notified of the maximum gross wages you may earn for that academic period.

Kansas Earned Income Tax Credit

Kansas offers its own state credit that is equal to 17% of the federal credit. Like the federal EITC, the Kansas credit is fully refundable, meaning a taxpayer can receive a refund amount when the credit is larger than the tax amount owed.

Kansas EITC is available only to families and individuals who earn income through work, the amount of which largely depends on the recipient’s earned income, filing status and no. of children.

How much is Kansas Earned Income Credit?

Can I get a refund if I owe no tax in Kansas?

If your Kansas EITC is $1,368 and you owe $0 in state income tax, and you receive the full $1,368 as a refund as illustrated in the table below:

How do I claim the Kansas EITC?

To claim the credit, file your Kansas income tax return (Form K-40) and use the earned income credit worksheet in the K-40 instructions to figure the amount. Complete your federal return first. Forms are on the Kansas Department of Revenue website.

Kansas Department of Revenue 
General Tax & Refund Questions
(785) 368-8222