Whether you need SNAP, cash help through POWER, LIEAP heating help, or child care, Wyoming has benefits programs that can help, and most start with the Department of Family Services (DFS). Apply for Medicaid through the Wyoming Eligibility System (WES). For SSDI, SSI, or VA disability benefits, start with Social Security or the VA.
Wyoming benefits programs at a glance
Program | What it helps with | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) | Monthly income when a health condition stops you from working | Social Security Administration (SSA), or with Turnout |
SSI (Supplemental Security Income) | Monthly income for people with disabilities or older adults with very limited income | SSA, or with Turnout |
VA Disability | Tax-free monthly payments for conditions connected to military service | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) |
Medicaid | Free or low-cost health coverage | Wyoming Eligibility System (WES) |
ACA Subsidies (Affordable Care Act) | Lower monthly costs for marketplace health plans | HealthCare.gov |
Medicare / Healthcare Advocacy | Health insurance for older adults and some people with disabilities, plus help using it | SSA to enroll, Turnout for advocacy |
SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) | Money for groceries | Department of Family Services (DFS) |
WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) | Healthy food and nutrition support for families with young children | A local WIC clinic |
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) | Help paying heating bills through LIEAP | DFS |
TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) | Cash help and job support through POWER | Your local DFS office |
EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) | A bigger tax refund for working people | Your federal tax return |
Child Tax Credit | Lower taxes for families with children | Your federal tax return |
Child Care Assistance (CCAP, Child Care Assistance Program) | Help paying for child care | DFS |
IEP (Individualized Education Program) / Education Advocacy | Special education support at school | Your child's school, or with Turnout |
Disability and income
SSDI
SSDI pays monthly benefits to people who worked and paid Social Security taxes but can't work now because of a serious medical condition. SSA runs SSDI the same way in every state, and Wyoming residents can apply online, by phone, or at a local Social Security office. Have your medical records, a list of your doctors, and your work history ready when you apply. If you'd like one-on-one help, you can apply for SSDI with Turnout.
Official resources: SSA's disability benefits overview and the Blue Book listing of impairments.
SSI
SSI is a monthly payment for people with very limited income and savings who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled. In Wyoming, the Department of Health offers state supplemental payments for some people on SSI. You apply for SSI through SSA online, by phone, or at a local office. Keep your medical records and a list of your doctors handy when you apply. For one-on-one help, you can apply for SSI with Turnout.
Official resources: SSA's Understanding SSI guide, what counts toward SSI limits, and Wyoming's state supplemental payments page.
VA Disability
VA disability compensation is a tax-free monthly payment for veterans with illnesses or injuries connected to their military service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) decides claims and assigns a disability rating. In Wyoming, the Department of Revenue offers a property tax exemption for some veterans. You can work with a VA-accredited representative when you file a claim. Turnout doesn't represent veterans in VA claims, but you can learn more on Turnout's veterans benefits page.
Official resources: VA's disability compensation overview, how VA disability ratings work, and Wyoming property tax relief programs from the Department of Revenue.
Health coverage
Medicaid
Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage for people with limited income. In Wyoming, the Department of Health runs Medicaid, and you apply online through the Wyoming Eligibility System (WES). You can apply at WES online. Medicaid covers groups like children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with disabilities who meet income rules. Medicaid pays for doctor visits, hospital care, and prescriptions. If you might not qualify for Medicaid, you can still look at marketplace plans at HealthCare.gov.
Official resources: the federal Medicaid program at Medicaid.gov and Wyoming Medicaid from the Department of Health.
ACA Subsidies
ACA subsidies are tax credits that lower what you pay each month for a health plan you buy on the marketplace. Wyoming uses the federal marketplace, so residents shop and enroll at HealthCare.gov. You can apply for coverage at HealthCare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596. Free local enrollment helpers can walk you through your options. Most people enroll during the yearly open enrollment period, but life changes like losing coverage can let you enroll at other times. If you might qualify for Medicaid, apply through WES too.
Official resources: HealthCare.gov's guide to lowering costs and free local enrollment help.
Medicare / Healthcare Advocacy
Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 and older and some younger people with disabilities, and you enroll through SSA. In Wyoming, the Wyoming State Health Insurance Information Program (WSHIIP) offers free Medicare counseling. WSHIIP counselors can help you compare plans and look into programs that lower costs, like Medicare Savings Programs. When coverage isn't working, like a denial or a confusing bill, you can get one-on-one help from Turnout's healthcare advocacy team.
Official resources: Medicare.gov, Medicare Savings Programs, and CMS's contact listing for WSHIIP.
Food and nutrition
SNAP
SNAP gives households money each month to buy groceries. In Wyoming, the Department of Family Services (DFS) runs SNAP through local DFS offices. Benefits come on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that works like a debit card. To start, see how to apply for SNAP through DFS. You can call DFS toll-free at 800-457-3659 or contact your local office with questions. After you apply, DFS will contact you for an interview. Check DFS's SNAP income limits table to see if you may qualify.
Official resources: the federal SNAP program and DFS's SNAP income limits table.
WIC
WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support for pregnant women, new moms, infants, and children under five. In Wyoming, the Department of Health runs WIC through local clinics. WIC staff can also connect you with other health and community services. To start, find a WIC clinic and see how to apply, then set up an appointment. At your appointment, staff will check whether you qualify and explain how to use your benefits. You don't need to be on another program to apply.
Official resources: the federal WIC program from USDA and Wyoming WIC from the Department of Health.
Home and cash help
LIHEAP
LIHEAP helps households with limited income pay home heating bills. In Wyoming, it's called the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP), and DFS runs it. Eligibility depends on things like your household's income, size, and the type of fuel you use to heat your home. To start, apply for LIEAP through DFS. You can call DFS toll-free at 800-457-3659 with questions. Ask what to bring, like proof of income and a recent heating bill. Help depends on available funding.
Official resources: the federal LIHEAP program.
TANF
TANF gives temporary cash help and job support to families with children who have little or no income. In Wyoming, TANF is called POWER, short for Personal Opportunities with Employment Responsibilities, and DFS runs it. POWER has two parts: POWER Work, which helps parents find jobs and earn cash help, and POWER Caretaker Relative, which helps relatives like grandparents who are raising a child. To apply, download an application and contact your local DFS office for an appointment.
Official resources: the federal TANF program and DFS's POWER income limits table.
Tax credits
EITC
The EITC is a federal tax credit for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can lower what you owe or increase your refund. The IRS runs it the same way in Wyoming as in every other state, and you claim it on your federal tax return. You need to file a return to get it, even if you don't usually have to file. Learn how to claim the EITC from the IRS. If you'd like free help filing, VITA volunteers prepare returns for people who qualify.
Official resources: the IRS EITC page and free in-person tax prep through VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance).
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit lowers federal taxes for families raising qualifying children, and part of it can come back as a refund. The IRS runs it the same way in Wyoming as in every other state. You claim it on your federal tax return using Schedule 8812, the IRS form for the Child Tax Credit. Keep your children's Social Security numbers handy when you file. VITA volunteers can also help families file for free.
Official resources: the IRS Child Tax Credit page and free in-person tax prep through VITA.
Children and education
Child Care Assistance (CCAP)
Child Care Assistance helps families with limited income pay for child care. In Wyoming, DFS runs Child Care Assistance and pays child care providers directly for eligible families. It helps parents pay for care so they can work or go to school. To start, see how to apply for child care assistance through DFS. You can call DFS toll-free at 800-457-3659 or contact your local DFS office with questions. Your local office may ask for proof of income and your work or school schedule.
Official resources: the federal Office of Child Care.
IEP / Education Advocacy
An IEP is a written plan for a child with a disability that spells out the special education services the school will provide. The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) gives your child this right. In Wyoming, the Department of Education (WDE) oversees special education in public schools. Ask your child's school for an evaluation in writing. If you'd like someone in the meeting with you, Turnout's education advocacy team starts with a free case review.
Official resources: the federal IDEA website and the Wyoming Department of Education.
What this means for you
- Contact DFS for SNAP, POWER cash help, LIEAP heating help, or child care. You can call toll-free at 800-457-3659.
- Apply for Medicaid through WES, Wyoming's online eligibility system.
- Gather your papers before you apply: ID, proof of address, recent pay stubs, and any medical or school records.
- Apply for federal programs on their own. SSDI, SSI, VA disability, marketplace plans, and tax credits have their own applications.
FAQ
What is Wyoming's cash assistance program called?
In Wyoming, TANF is called POWER, and the Department of Family Services runs it. POWER Work helps parents find jobs, and POWER Caretaker Relative helps relatives, like grandparents, who are raising a child.
Can grandparents raising grandchildren get help in Wyoming?
Yes. The POWER Caretaker Relative program gives cash help to relatives who are the main caregivers for children whose parents don't live with them. Only the child's income and resources count toward eligibility.
Where do I apply for Medicaid versus other help in Wyoming?
Medicaid goes through the Wyoming Eligibility System (WES), and the Department of Health runs the program. SNAP, POWER, LIEAP, and child care help go through the Department of Family Services, which you can reach toll-free at 800-457-3659.
Turnout is not a law firm and does not provide legal or tax advice
It's your turn
You don't have to sort through all 14 programs on your own. Turnout's free Wyoming benefits scan asks a few plain-language questions about your household and income, then shows which programs you may qualify for. It takes about three minutes and gives you a clear place to start today.