For low- to moderate-income residents of Kansas, assistance may be available to help purchase food, medical services and other necessities. In most cases, recipients of any of the welfare programs in Kansas must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens, and also be residents of Kansas. Applying for any of the available assistance programs can be done online or in person.
Cash Assistance
Cash assistance, also known as Temporary Assistance for Families, or TAF, is available for low-income families in Kansas through the Successful Families Program. Along with providing a monthly cash benefit, which can be used to help pay utility bills or for purchasing necessities, the program also provides help finding a job and support services such as child care. Applicant's must have at least one child under the age of 18 living in the home. The family must be considered to have low income and less than $2,000 in assets. The amount of the assistance will depend on the household size and income. As of 2011, a family of four can receive up to $497 in TAF per month. Adult recipients must cooperate with child-support enforcement efforts and be employed or be involved in a work activity, unless caring for a child under six months of age or someone who is disabled.
Food Assistance
Assistance in purchasing food may be available to Kansas residents who are considered low income. The Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP, provides a Vision card to recipient which operates in the same way as a debit card. Benefits are transferred to the card each month for recipients to use at grocery stores or farmer markets. Income and recourse limits apply. As of 2011, a family of four would qualify for benefits if its income is less than $1,838 per month.
Medical Assistance
Kansas offers a number of medical assistance programs for low-to moderate-income individuals and families. The Medicaid program in Kansas covers low-income children and families. For those who do not qualify for Medicaid, Kansas offers the Healthwave program, which has higher income limits. Children, pregnant women, adult caregivers of children, and elderly or disabled individuals may qualify. The income limits range from 100 percent to 241 percent of the federal poverty level, depending on the medical-assistance category into which an applicant falls. Small monthly premiums ranging from $20 to $75 per family may apply to Healthwave coverage.
Apply
You may apply for food and cash assistance online through the Social and Rehabilitative Services, or SRS, online website (see resources). You may also complete a self-assessment prior to applying to see if you may qualify. You cannot apply for medical assistance online. To apply for either Medicaid or Healthwave, you can request an application over the telephone (see resources). If you need help, or prefer to apply in person, you may apply at one of the many SRS office locations (see resources).
Tags: 2011 family, 2011 family four, assistance online, assistance programs, child under, family four, income less
