Assistance Programs in Oklahoma

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, LIHEAP, helps low-income Oklahoma households with home energy costs in three seasonal parts: Winter Heating, the Energy Crisis Assistance Program for a heating or cooling emergency, and Summer Cooling. Apply online at OKDHSLive.org during each open enrollment window. For a life-threatening energy crisis, call 405-522-5050 year-round.

Free home energy-efficiency work for income-eligible Oklahoma households: air sealing, insulation, weather-stripping, and heating-system repairs that lower future bills. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce runs the program through local Community Action Agencies. Contact the Community Action Agency serving your county to apply, since Commerce does not take applications directly.

SNAP is Oklahoma's food assistance program: monthly food money on an EBT card you use like a debit card at most grocery stores. Apply online at OKDHSLive.org, the state benefits portal that also screens you for SoonerCare, TANF, and energy help, at your local Oklahoma Human Services office, or by phone at 405-522-5050. Most applications include a phone or in-person interview, and a case can take up to 30 days.

The Oklahoma Women, Infants and Children program, WIC, gives healthy food, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and health referrals to pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and children up to age 5. Apply through the online WIC enrollment tool or a local WIC clinic. For more information, call 1-888-655-2942 or 405-426-8500.

SoonerCare is Oklahoma's Medicaid program: free or low-cost health coverage for children, pregnant people, parents, older adults, people with disabilities, and low-income adults. Oklahoma expanded SoonerCare in 2021 to cover adults ages 19 to 64. Apply online at mysoonercare.org, or call the SoonerCare Helpline at 1-800-987-7767.

The Oklahoma Child Care Subsidy helps eligible families pay for child care while parents work, train, or go to school. Apply online at OKDHSLive.org, at your local Oklahoma Human Services office, or by phone at 405-522-5050. Families may owe a copay based on income, family size, and how many children need care.

Oklahoma has a state Earned Income Tax Credit worth 5 percent of your federal EITC. As of tax year 2022 the Oklahoma credit is refundable again, so it can pay out as cash even when it is larger than the state tax you owe. Claim it on your Oklahoma income tax return.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF, is Oklahoma's monthly cash assistance for low-income families with a minor child in the home. Adults sign a personalized TANF Work Plan aimed at getting or keeping a job, and the cash comes on a time-limited basis. Apply online at OKDHSLive.org, at your local Oklahoma Human Services office, or by phone at 405-522-5050.

Weekly unemployment payments if you lost work through no fault of your own, from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, OESC. File online through the OESC Claimant Portal at claimantportal.oesc.ok.gov, which is the fastest way, or reach the unemployment support line at 405-525-1500 for help.

Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma provides free civil legal help to low-income residents on housing, family, public benefits, consumer, and other noncriminal matters. Call the statewide line at 1-888-534-5243 to reach the office serving your area, or find free legal information and self-help tools at oklaw.org.

Dial 2-1-1 from any Oklahoma phone for free, confidential help finding local assistance with housing, utility bills, food, healthcare, and more. A resource specialist searches for programs, agencies, and charities near you while you are on the line. You can also find and search your local 2-1-1 online at 211.org.