NORTH DAKOTA

North Dakota Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

North Dakota TANF provides monthly cash assistance for poor families with children under age 18 along with work readiness, training and job placement services.

Most adult recipients must participate in the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills (JOBS) program, which offers training, job search assistance, and vocational education.

Participants are generally required to complete an average of 30 hours per week of approved work activities to maintain eligibility for TANF.

How much cash assistance will I get in North Dakota?

In North Dakota, TANF benefits vary by household size, income, and available resources. A family of three with no income may receive up to $962 per month in cash assistance.

If you need short-term help rather than long-term ongoing cash assistance, you may request for assistance through the Diversion Assistance.

How do I apply for TANF in North Dakota?

Applications for TANF can be done online using the Self-Service Portal  (SSP) or apply in person at the Human Service Zone office near you.¹

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Economic Assistance Policy Division
(800) 755-2716

North Dakota Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

North Dakota SNAP provides monthly food assistance benefits to low-income individuals and families to help them afford a nutritionally adequate diet.

SNAP benefits can be used to buy food products at any participating grocery stores, farmers markets and other USDA-approved vendors.

As a condition of eligibility, all SNAP recipients who aren’t exempt must either work or participate in an approved activity for a certain number of hours per week.

What is the income limit for SNAP in North Dakota?

In North Dakota, eligibility for SNAP is based on gross income up to 200% of the poverty level or about $4,553 per month for a family of three.

How do I apply for SNAP in North Dakota?

To apply for SNAP, you can submit the Application for Assistance  online or contact the local Human Service Zone Office in the county in which you reside.¹

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Economic Assistance Policy Division
(800) 755-2716

North Dakota Medicaid

North Dakota Medicaid offers adults ages 19 through 64 a limited benefit package through Medicaid Expansion. This expansion coverage includes services such as checkups, preventive care, and hospital visits, but does not include dental or vision care.

As North Dakota is expanding Medicaid coverage, all non-elderly adults age 19—64 and children age 6—18 with income up to at least 138% of poverty level may now gain coverage.

How do I apply for Medicaid in North Dakota?

There is no specific “open enrollment” period to apply for Medicaid in North Dakota. Applications are accepted at any time of the year through the Self-Service Portal  (SSP).

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Medical Services / Medicaid
(866) 614-6005

North Dakota Healthy Steps

Healthy Steps provides health coverage to uninsured children in North Dakota whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford private coverage.

Healthy Steps is a Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) that provides health coverage for children up to age 18, including vision and dental care.

For most families, coverage is free. Some families may be required to pay small copayments for certain non-preventive services such as sick visits or prescriptions.

What is the income limit for CHIP in North Dakota?

Families in North Dakota may qualify for Healthy Steps (CHIP) if their income is at or below 205% of the federal poverty level. For a family of three, that’s about $4,667 per month.

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Healthy Steps Customer Support Center
(866) 614‑6005

North Dakota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

According to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, new CCAP applicants may be placed on a waitlist, which began December 1, 2025. Families with income at or below 30% of state median income and households experiencing homelessness receive priority, and families currently enrolled in CCAP are not placed on the waitlist.²

North Dakota CCAP is the state subsidy program targeted at low-income families who need help paying for child care. It provides assistance with payment for child care on a sliding fee basis for eligible parents.

Most families pay a co-payment, which is the amount you are required to pay towards the costs of child care. This sliding fee chart  shows what the co-payment would be based on your income and household size.

Beginning January 1, 2026, the maximum rates covered by the state for childcare will be lower, meaning some families may have a higher remaining balance to pay their providers.²

What is the income limit for child care assistance in North Dakota?

Eligibility is based on the family’s gross income and household size. In North Dakota, eligibility is capped at 75% of State Median Income (SMI). For a family of three, that’s about $6,959 a month to qualify.

Households experiencing homelessness or those with very low income at or below 30% of the state median income (SMI) are prioritized and, in certain cases, may not be placed on a waitlist.

How do I apply for child care assistance in North Dakota?

You can submit an application online using the Self-Service Portal  or apply in person at the Human Service Zone office  near you.

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Child Care Assistance Program
Customer Support Center
(866) 614-6005

North Dakota Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

North Dakota WIC is a nutrition program that provides nutrition and health education, healthy food, health screenings and other services, at no cost, to qualifying families.

The program serves pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children younger than 5 years of age whose gross income falls below certain limits and are at risk for nutritional deficiencies.

What is the income limit for WIC in North Dakota?

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, WIC is available to North Dakota families with a household income less than or equal to 185% of the poverty level.³ That’s about $4,212 per month for a family of three.

If you’re on SNAP or Medicaid, you will automatically qualify for WIC since these programs have stricter income limits. But you still need to have a nutritional risk to be fully qualified.

How long does WIC last in North Dakota?

In North Dakota, WIC benefits last for different lengths of time depending on who is receiving them:

• Pregnant women: through pregnancy and up to 6 weeks after birth
• Breastfeeding women: up to 12 months after childbirth
• Non-breastfeeding postpartum women: up to 6 months after childbirth
• Infants: from birth until their first birthday
• Children: from age 1 until their 5th birthday

WIC is not automatic. Participants must recertify periodically to continue receiving benefits.

How much does WIC pay per month in North Dakota?

In North Dakota, 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 do I apply for WIC in North Dakota?

Call (800) 472-2286 to schedule a certification appointment with a WIC clinic near you. In North Dakota, an in-person appointment is required for initial assessment.

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
WIC Nutrition Program
(800) 472-2286

North Dakota Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

North Dakota LIHEAP helps eligible low-income families with home heating costs. The program partially pays the cost of natural gas, electricity, propane, fuel oil, coal, wood, or other fuel sources.

The program also covers:

• Weatherization services (insulation, weather stripping around doors and windows, etc.)
• Furnace cleaning, repair, and replacement
• Chimney cleaning and inspection
• Emergency assistance

Qualifying households may receive up to $7,500 in heating assistance and up to $500 in crisis assistance. For LIHEAP cooling, which is available during the summer months, the cap is $1,000.

How to apply for LIHEAP in North Dakota?

Applications for LIHEAP are accepted year-round at your county social services office or you can submit your application online through the Self-Service Portal (SSP) .

North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
(866) 614-6005

For help completing and submitting a LIHEAP application, call
(800) 823-2417

North Dakota State Grant

The North Dakota State Grant is a need-based grant that does not require repayment. The program serves North Dakota residents who are first-time undergraduate students enrolled at least quarter-time at a qualifying North Dakota institution.

The grant awards up to $1,375 per semester or $917 per quarter, based on enrollment status. Applicants apply each year by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Supplemental State Grant provides an additional award to State Grant recipients with total family income of $80,000 or less.

North Dakota University System (NDUS)
(701) 328-4156