UTAH

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Utah Family Employment Program

Utah’s Family Employment Program (FEP) serves as the state’s cash assistance program. Its purpose is to help low-income families work toward self-sufficiency through employment services, training, and temporary cash support.

It is designed to serve both single-parent and two-parent families ¹ with children under 18 living with them, as well as pregnant women in their third trimester who meet income guidelines.

The Family Employment Program in Utah is a work-focused welfare program. All participants who aren’t exempt are required to participate in employment related activities, usually at least 30 hours a week or 20 hours per week if the parent has a child under age 6.

How much cash assistance can I get in Utah?

The maximum amount of TANF cash assistance a family can expect to receive in Utah largely depends on the household size and gross income.

Utah limits cash assistance to 36 months in a lifetime, although families may apply for an extension beyond the limit under certain conditions.

How do I apply for cash assistance in Utah?

First you need to download a copy of the TANF eligibility form  and submit it to the nearest DWS employment center . A face-to-face interview will then be scheduled to screen your eligibility.

Utah Department of Workforce Services
Customer Service Center
(866) 435-7414

Utah Food Stamp Program

Utah Food Stamp Program (SNAP) provides monthly benefits to help eligible individuals and families afford nutritious food and reduce food insecurity.

Anyone may apply for SNAP, but the program is intended to support households with limited income, including low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

Students ages 18–49 may also qualify for SNAP if they meet specific eligibility requirements.

What is the income limit for SNAP in Utah?

Most families in Utah with gross income up to 130% of the federal poverty level, or about $2,887 a month for a family of three, may qualify for SNAP.

How do I apply for food stamps in Utah?

You can apply for SNAP online  or in person at any of the employment center near you. ² If you are eligible, you will be able to access your SNAP benefits no later than 30 days.

Utah Department of Workforce Services
Customer Service Center
(866) 435-7414

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

Utah WIC is a nutrition education program that supplies supplemental foods for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, as well as infants and children up to age 5

It provides healthy foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare and other services to eligible Utah families, at no cost,

Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for WIC:

1. Be a resident of Utah.
2. Be a pregnant, postpartum or breastfeeding woman, an infant or a child under 5 years old.
3. Have a household income less than 185% of the federal poverty limit.
4. Have a nutritional need or risk.

What is the income limit for WIC in Utah?

In Utah, WIC income eligibility is set at 185% of the federal poverty level. For example, a family of three can make a monthly income up to $4,109 and qualify for WIC.

Participants receive an eWIC card, which works like a debit card, to purchase specific healthy foods from authorized grocery stores and farmers’ markets.

How do I apply for WIC in Utah?

To apply for WIC, schedule an application appointment by either:

• requesting an appointment online , or
• calling (801) 942-5437, or
• visiting one of the WIC clinics  in person.

You will need to bring proof of identity, residency, and income to your appointment, including immunization records for each child you’re enrolling.

Utah Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

Utah has long had some of the least accessible child care in the country and it’s becoming prohibitively expensive for many families.

To address this, Utah’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps parents offset the cost of child care through income-based child care subsidies.

The amount of potential subsidy, paid directly to providers, is determined based upon the age of the child and the type of provider.

To qualify for child care assistance in Utah, you must:

• Be a parent, foster parent, approved relative, or legal guardian of the child under age 13.
• Work at least 15 hours per week earning at least minimum wage. ³
• Meet income eligibility requirements.
• Need child care for employment or approved school or training activities.

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

A family is considered “income eligible ” when their gross monthly income is at or below 85% of the State Median Income (SMI) at the time of initial application. That’s about $7,001 a month for a family of three.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Utah?

Families can apply for child care assistance online at Utah’s myCase . Once approved for Child Care, the payment is sent directly to the selected provider.

Utah Department of Workforce Services
Eligibility Services Division – Child Care Assistance
(866) 435-7414

Utah Kids In Care

Unemployed parents may be eligible for enrollment in the Kids in Care  program. The program offers child care assistance for eligible parents while they look for a new job.

How it works

• Parents may receive up to 150 hours of assistance in a 6-month period while searching for a job
• The program reimburses licensed child care providers directly for hours used after approval

This program is provided by Office of Child Care and is available to residents of any county in Utah. If you would like more information on the Kids in Care program, please call

Children’s Service Society of Utah
(801) 326-4399

Utah Medicaid

Utah Medicaid provides low-cost or no-cost health care coverage to low-income Utah residents who meet the program’s eligibility requirements.

Medicaid in Utah covers children under age 18, pregnant women, disabled adults, seniors as well as women with breast or cervical cancer.

What is the income limit for Medicaid in Utah?

As Utah has fully expanded Medicaid coverage in 2020, parents with incomes up to 138% of poverty are now eligible for Medicaid. That’s about $3,065 a month for a family of three.

Coverage is also available for pregnant women and children age 0—5 in families with income up to 144% of poverty level.

How do I apply for Medicaid in Utah?

For your convenience, you may now apply for Medicaid and CHIP online at jobs.utah.gov/mycase  or in person  at any Department of Workforce Services (DWS) office near you.

For answers to your questions on how to apply, please call the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) at the numbers listed below.

Utah Children’s Health Insurance Program

Utah CHIP is a state health insurance plan for uninsured children from birth through age 18 who do not qualify for Medicaid. Once approved, CHIP covers well-child exams, immunizations, dental care, hearing and eye exams, and more.

Most people on CHIP are required to pay premiums and co-pays every quarter and in Utah, cost-sharing is limited to 5% of the family’s annual income.

Depending on your income, you may pay up to $75 per family for each quarter. American Indians do not have to pay premiums or co-pays for services.

What is the income limit for CHIP in Utah?

CHIP is available to the children in families with incomes up to at least 205% of the poverty level. That’s about $4,553 a month for a family of three to qualify.

How do I apply for CHIP in Utah?

CHIP is now accepting applications year-round via jobs.utah.gov/mycase . You may also contact your eligibility office by calling (888) 684-1599.

Utah Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Housing Authority of Utah County provides vouchers to Utah’s low-income families to help them afford decent and safe housing. Priority is given to extremely low-income families with children.

In general, families and individuals with income levels in excess of the 50% of the area median income as established by HUD do not qualify for Section 8 rental subsidy.

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program in Utah may be open in some areas, but waitlists can be long . Applications can be submitted online  or in person at

The Housing Authority of Utah County, Income Limits for Section 8 Programs .

HAUC
240 East Center Street
Provo, Utah 84606
(801) 373-8333

The Housing Authority of Utah County assists with rent in Utah County, outside of Provo. For assistance within the city of Provo, contact

Provo City Housing Authority
(801) 852-7080.

Utah Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) Program

The H.E.A.T. program is Utah’s version of the federal LIHEAP program that provides year-round utility assistance to eligible low-income households throughout Utah.

Priority is given to those who are truly vulnerable, including households with the highest heating costs, the disabled, elderly, and families with with children under the age of six.

Applications are accepted year-round, even in summer, until funds are exhausted. ⁴ Eligible households may receive a one-time credit of up to $850.

What is the income limit for HEAT in UTAH?

Utah utilizes 150% of the federal poverty level as the maximum income limit allowed in determining HEAT eligibility. That’s about $3,331 a month for a family of three.

How do I get HEAT assistance in Utah?

HEAT provides year-round heating and cooling assistance. To apply for HEAT Assistance, call (866) 205-4357 or apply online through myCase portal .

If you are in danger of shut-off, you may contact your local HEAT office  for crisis assistance.

Utah Department of Workforce Services
Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT)
(866) 674-6326

Utah Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

NOTICE: Funding is no longer available for LIHWAP. Households may not receive LIHWAP benefits at this time.

Utah LIHWAP, closely models LIHEAP, provides one-time payments to help qualified households pay their residential water and wastewater past due utility bills.

LIHWAP provides relief assistance to three priority groups:

1. Households that have been shut off due to arrearages/fees
2. Households that have been issued a shut off notice (or property lien for unpaid water bill) and are in danger of losing their water
3. Households that need assistance paying their current water bill

Households that qualify for LIHWAP could reduce their water or wastewater charges, or both if their bills include both services, by up to $2,000.

How do I get help paying my water bill in Utah?

If you are in danger of falling behind on your water bills and need help, you may apply online through myCase portal  or by phone at (866) 205-4357.

Utah Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

Utah Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps low-income individuals and families manage high energy costs by making their homes more efficient and comfortable.

The goal is to save energy, reduce bills, and create a healthier, safer home environment, by addressing issues like poor insulation, leaky ducts, and inefficient appliances.

Eligibility is set at 200% of the federal poverty level, with priority given to elderly or disabled households, families with preschool-age children, high energy burden households, and emergency cases.

How do I apply for WAP in Utah?

To apply for the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) in Utah, you must submit your application to the local agency  that serves your county. Applications are prioritized, and eligible households are placed on a waiting list due to limited funding.

Utah Department of Workforce Services
Weatherization Assistance Program
(866) 435-7414

Utah Unemployment Insurance

Utah Unemployment Insurance provides jobless compensation to eligible unemployed workers through no fault of their own that meet Utah’s eligibility requirements.

It is intended to pay temporary benefits to eligible claimants during times of unemployment when suitable work is not available.

In order to be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must have earned a minimum amount of wages in a recent ‘base period ’ and must have:

1. worked in at least two calendar quarters of the base period, AND
2. earned at least $5,300 in the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters, AND
3. total base period earnings of not less than 1.5 times the earnings in the highest quarter

For example, if your highest-paid quarter was $4,000, your total wages must be at least $6,000 ($4,000 × 1.5) during the base period.

What is the maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Utah?

Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $777 per week for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.

How do I file for unemployment in Utah?

Claims for UI benefits will be expedited if you file online  or if you decide to file by phone, you can call the numbers listed below.

Utah Promise Grant

Utah Promise Grant is a statewide need-based program that provides financial assistance to students who demonstrate financial need in Utah.

It is a “last dollar scholarship ” available to recent high school graduates and adult learners at Utah’s public colleges and universities, as well as Utah’s public technical colleges.

To be eligible, students must:

1. Be a Utah resident
2. Be a first-time, first-year college student
3. Have an unweighted high school GPA of 3.5 or higher
4. Have an annual household income and assets each less than $100,000, as determined by the FAFSA
5. Submit their university admissions application by December 1 (priority deadline)
6. Submit the FAFSA by February 1

Awards will be offered to students as funding allows, with consideration being given to those identified with the highest financial need.

To be considered for Promise Grant, you must complete the FAFSA and submit the specific Utah Promise Program Grant application.

Utah Earned Income Tax Credit

EITC is a tax benefit for working people who earn lower or moderate incomes. Utah offers a non-refundable state earned income tax credit (EITC) equal to 20% of the federal EITC.

If a family qualifies for a $2,000 federal EITC, they can claim an additional $400 on their state income tax bill. Self-employed workers, gig workers, and contract workers are excluded from the state credit.

Because the credit is non-refundable, households with little or no state income tax liability may not fully benefit from the credit.