North Dakota, ND

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.

Unless determined to be exempt, most TANF recipients are required to participate in the Job Opportunity and Basic Skills (JOBS) program which is the employment and training component of North Dakota’s TANF program.

If you have a child under age 6, you are required to participate in an approved work activity for an average of 20 hours per week to maintain eligibility for TANF.

How do I apply for TANF in North Dakota?

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

North Dakota Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) #

North Dakota SNAP helps low-income families in North Dakota with cash assistance to buy the food they need for 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.

There is no limit to the length of time you can receive benefits for SNAP. Time limits and requirements for other programs such as TANF do not apply to the receipt of SNAP.

What is the income limit for SNAP in North Dakota?

Eligibility for SNAP is based on gross income up to 200% of the poverty level, about $4,143 per month for a family of three.

Gross income limit applies to most households, except those in which at least one person is 60 years of age or older, or receives disability income.

How do I apply for SNAP/TANF in North Dakota?

To apply for SNAP/TANF, please complete and submit your application online or contact the local Human Service Zone Office in the county in which you reside.

North Dakota Medicaid #

North Dakota Medicaid is a program designed to assist individuals and families who are uninsured, or who have health insurance that does not cover all of the individual’s or family’s medical needs.

It covers families with children up to age 18, pregnant women, women with breast or cervical cancer and people who are aging, blind and disabled.

What are the income guidelines for Medicaid in North Dakota?

As North Dakota is expanding Medicaid coverage, all non-elderly adults age 19-64 and children age 6-18 qualify with income up to at least 138% of poverty level. Newborns and children under age 5 qualify with income up to 147%.

A 5% disregard based on the federal poverty level (FPL) for the household size is applied and is reflected in the amounts shown above.

How do I apply for Medicaid in North Dakota?

Complete and submit an Application for Assistance for health care coverage. The completed application will be directed to the appropriate county social service office.

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.

For most families, it’s free. The only out-of-pocket costs are a $2 co-payment for each prescription, a $5 co-payment for each emergency room visit, and a $50 co-payment for each hospital admission.

North Dakota is one of only two (2) states to set eligibility for CHIP below 200% FPL, leaving many lower income families without an affordable coverage option for their children.

What is the income limit for Healthy Steps in North Dakota?

Families with incomes of 175% of the federal poverty level — that's $43,510 for a family of three — now qualify for North Dakota's Healthy Steps.

• Family Size Income Limit
• 1 $25,520
• 2 $34,510
• 3 $43,510
• 4 $52,500
• 5 $61,500
• 6 $70,490
• 7 $79,490
• 8 $88,480

A 5% disregard based on the federal poverty level (FPL) for the household size is applied and is reflected in the amounts shown above.

For eligibility questions, contact
N.D. Department of Human Services
1-877-543-7669

North Dakota Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) #

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.

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 85% of State Median Income (SMI). For a family of three, that's about $6,371 a month to qualify.

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 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?

WIC is open to North Dakota families with a household income less than or equal to 185% of the poverty level.

• Family Size Income Limit
• 1 $2,248
• 2 $3,040
• 3 $3,833
• 4 $4,625
• 5 $5,418
• 6 $6,210
• 7 $7,003
• 8 $7,795

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 do I apply for WIC in ND?

Call 1-800-472-2286 to request for a certification appointment from a WIC clinic near you. Due to COVID-19, you can complete your WIC appointment over the phone.

North Dakota Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) #

LIHEAP applications for the new heating season (Oct. 2023 - May 2024) will be accepted starting October 1.

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.

Application for LIHEAP is available at your county social services office or you can submit online via the Self-Service Portal (SSP). Applications are NOT accepted from June 1 to September 30.

Cooling assistance is also available for individuals 60 years of age and older and for those with certain medical conditions who qualify for LIHEAP — up to a maximum of $1,000 per household.

Eligible households may receive help with the cost of purchasing and repairing air conditioners and other cooling devices.

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

North Dakota Unemployment Insurance #

North Dakota has ended the federal pandemic-related unemployment programs on June 19. This includes the weekly $300 add-on and the extended benefits beyond the regular 20 weeks.

North Dakota Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary income support to workers unemployed through no fault of their own that meet North Dakota’s eligibility requirements.

Those who file for a new claim may be entitled to up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. Weekly benefit amounts range from a minimum of $43 to a maximum of $748.

How do I file for unemployment in North Dakota?

There are two ways to file your claim either online using Job Service North Dakota’s UI ICE or by telephone using the automated telephone system by calling (701) 328-4995.

North Dakota State Student Incentive Grant (SSIG) #

Also known as the North Dakota State Grant, SSIG awards up to $1,375 per semester or $917 per quarter to first-time undergraduate students pursuing an eligible program at a qualifying North Dakota institution at least quarter-time.

Qualifying institutions include the state accredited public, tribal, and private institutions, provided the institutions have programs of study of at least two years in length.

Application is through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Deadline for priority consideration is April 15th. Funding under the state grant is limited, so applications are accepted until all funds are committed.