Assistance Programs in North Dakota

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP, helps income-eligible North Dakota households with home heating and energy costs, and it can also help in a heating emergency. Apply online through the Self Service Portal at applyforhelp.nd.gov, or by phone through the HHS Customer Support Center at 1-866-614-6005. Ask about the current application dates when you call, since the heating-season window matters.

Free home energy-efficiency work for income-eligible North Dakota households: insulation, air sealing, and heating-system improvements that lower future bills and make the home safer. North Dakota's Community Action Agencies have weatherized homes since 1976, and both homeowners and renters can qualify. There is no fee for applicants. Call 1-800-726-7960 or contact the Community Action Agency serving your area to apply.

SNAP is North Dakota's food assistance program: monthly food money on an EBT card you use like a debit card at most grocery stores. Apply online through the state Self Service Portal at applyforhelp.nd.gov, which handles SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, TANF, and child care on one application, or by phone through the HHS Customer Support Center at 1-866-614-6005.

WIC gives healthy food, breastfeeding support, nutrition guidance, and health referrals to pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and children up to age 5. To start, call the statewide toll-free line at 1-800-472-2286, schedule online at signupwic.com, or call your local WIC clinic. The first appointment is in person and takes about 30 to 45 minutes.

North Dakota Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage for children, pregnant people, parents, older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income adults. The state expanded Medicaid, so low-income adults ages 19 to 64 can qualify. Apply online through the Self Service Portal at applyforhelp.nd.gov, or by phone through the HHS Customer Support Center at 1-866-614-6005.

The Child Care Assistance Program, CCAP, helps eligible low-income North Dakota families pay for child care while parents work, look for work, or attend school or training. Apply online through the Self Service Portal at applyforhelp.nd.gov, which also covers SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, and TANF, or by phone through the HHS Customer Support Center at 1-866-614-6005.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF, is North Dakota's monthly cash assistance for low-income families with children. Most adults take part in the JOBS program, Job Opportunities and Basic Skills, which helps you move toward work. Apply online through the Self Service Portal at applyforhelp.nd.gov or by phone through the HHS Customer Support Center at 1-866-614-6005.

Temporary weekly payments if you lost work through no fault of your own, from Job Service North Dakota. File online through the UI ICE claims system at apps.nd.gov, which is the fastest way, or get help from the Unemployment Insurance Customer Service line at 701-328-1680.

Legal Services of North Dakota provides free civil legal help to low-income and older North Dakotans on housing, family, public benefits, consumer, and veteran matters. Call the statewide intake line at 1-800-634-5263, or if you are age 60 or older call the senior line at 1-866-621-9886. Intake runs Monday through Thursday, 9am to 3pm Central.

Dial 2-1-1 from any North Dakota phone, or text your ZIP code to 898211, for free, confidential help finding local assistance with housing, utilities, food, and more. FirstLink runs 211 statewide and answers around the clock, every day. FirstLink's office line is 701-293-6462, and it also answers the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline locally.