Benefits Programs in Montana: A Guide to 14 Programs and How to Apply

If you live in Montana and money, health care, or school support has gotten harder to manage, there are benefits programs built for this. Most state help, including Medicaid, SNAP, and cash assistance, starts at apply.mt.gov. Disability benefits go through Social Security. Veterans benefits go through the VA, and tax credits go through your tax return.

This guide covers 14 programs. Each section explains who runs the program in Montana and where to apply. It also links to the official pages for current rules.

Montana benefits programs at a glance

Disability and income

SSDI

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) pays monthly benefits to people who can't work because of a disability and who paid into Social Security at past jobs. In Montana, you apply with the Social Security Administration (SSA). A state agency, Montana Disability Determination Services, then reviews your medical records for SSA. You can apply online, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or at a local SSA office. For one-on-one help, Turnout can guide your SSDI application and gather your medical evidence.

Official resources: SSA's disability application page and the SSA 2026 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) fact sheet.

SSI

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a monthly payment for people with limited income and savings who have a disability, are blind, or are 65 or older. SSA runs SSI in Montana, the same as in every state. In Montana, SSI approval generally comes with Montana Medicaid coverage. The state's Senior and Long Term Care Division also offers services that help older adults and people with disabilities stay at home. Apply through SSA online, by phone, or in person. If you'd like support, Turnout helps with the SSI application step by step.

Official resources: SSA's Supplemental Security Income page and Montana DPHHS Senior and Long Term Care.

VA Disability

VA disability compensation is a tax-free monthly payment for veterans with an illness or injury connected to their military service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) runs it nationwide. In Montana, the Montana Veterans Affairs Division has Veteran Service Officers who help veterans with VA claims at no cost. The Montana Department of Revenue also runs the Montana Disabled Veteran (MDV) program, which lowers property taxes for qualifying disabled veterans and some surviving spouses. You apply for compensation directly with the VA at VA.gov. To see what else Turnout offers veterans and their families, visit our veterans benefits page.

Official resources: VA disability compensation rates and the Montana Disabled Veteran property tax program.

Health coverage

Medicaid

Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage for people with limited income. In Montana, the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) runs it under the name Montana Healthcare Programs. Montana expanded Medicaid, so many adults under 65 with low income can qualify. Healthy Montana Kids (HMK) covers children. Apply online at apply.mt.gov or call the Public Assistance Helpline at 1-888-706-1535. You can also visit your local Office of Public Assistance.

Official resources: Montana Healthcare Programs from DPHHS and Medicaid.gov.

ACA Subsidies

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace sells private health plans. Premium tax credits, often called subsidies, lower the monthly cost for people who qualify based on income. Montana uses the federal marketplace at HealthCare.gov rather than running its own. The Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (CSI) oversees insurance companies in the state and can help with questions or complaints about a plan. Enroll at HealthCare.gov during open enrollment each fall. You may also be able to enroll after a major life change, like losing job-based coverage.

Official resource: the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance.

Medicare / Healthcare Advocacy

Medicare is federal health insurance for people 65 and older and for some younger people with disabilities. You sign up through Social Security. In Montana, the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), run through DPHHS aging services, offers free counseling to help you compare plans. Once you're covered, problems like denied claims, stalled referrals, and confusing bills can still come up. A Turnout healthcare advocate works with you one-on-one on those. The service is covered by Medicare, so most members pay nothing out of pocket.

Official resources: Medicare.gov and Montana SHIP.

Food and nutrition

SNAP

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps households buy groceries each month. Benefits come on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card that works like a debit card. In Montana, the DPHHS Human and Community Services Division (HCSD) runs SNAP. Apply at apply.mt.gov, call the Public Assistance Helpline, or visit an Office of Public Assistance. DPHHS will tell you if you need an interview as part of the process. You can use one application for SNAP and Medicaid at the same time.

Official resources: Montana DPHHS SNAP and the USDA's SNAP program page.

WIC

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides healthy foods, nutrition advice, and breastfeeding support to pregnant and new mothers, infants, and young children. In Montana, the DPHHS Early Childhood and Family Support Division runs WIC through local clinics, including county health departments and tribal clinics. If you already get SNAP, Medicaid, or TANF, you may already meet WIC's income rules. To apply, find a Montana WIC clinic near you and call for an appointment.

Official resource: the USDA's WIC program page.

Home and cash help

LIHEAP

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps households pay heating bills. Montana calls its version LIEAP, the Low Income Energy Assistance Program. DPHHS runs it, and local Human Resource Development Councils (HRDCs) process applications. Montana also offers weatherization help, which makes eligible homes cheaper to heat. Apply at apply.mt.gov or through your local HRDC. Applying early in the heating season gives you the most time.

Official resources: Montana DPHHS Energy Assistance and the federal LIHEAP program page.

TANF

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides monthly cash help to families with children who have very little income. In Montana, the DPHHS Human and Community Services Division runs TANF. Adults in the program may be asked to take part in work, job search, or training activities, so check the DPHHS TANF page for the current rules. Apply at apply.mt.gov or at your local Office of Public Assistance. Your caseworker will explain which activities apply to your family.

Official resource: Montana DPHHS TANF.

Tax credits

EITC

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax break for people who work and earn low to moderate income. It can raise your refund even if you owe no tax. Montana adds its own state EITC, based on your federal credit, which you claim on your Montana income tax return. The Montana Department of Revenue runs the state credit. Start by checking your EITC eligibility on IRS.gov. Free help filing is available through the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Official resource: the Montana Earned Income Tax Credit.

Child Tax Credit

The Child Tax Credit (CTC) lowers the federal income tax you owe for each qualifying child. Part of it can come back to you as a refund. Montana also offers a state child tax credit for families with young children, claimed on your Montana return. Rules for both credits can change from year to year. Learn more about the federal credit on IRS.gov, and see Turnout's Child Tax Credit guides for plain-language answers.

Official resource: the Montana Department of Revenue.

Children and education

Child Care Assistance (CCAP)

Child Care Assistance helps working families, and parents in school or training, pay for child care. In Montana, it's called the Best Beginnings Child Care Scholarship. The DPHHS Early Childhood and Family Support Division runs it. Families usually pay a copayment based on income, and you choose a licensed or registered provider. To apply, go to the Best Beginnings scholarship page to find your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency. For more, read Turnout's Child Care Assistance guides.

Official resource: the federal Office of Child Care.

IEP / Education Advocacy

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written plan for the special education services a child with a disability gets at school. The federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) sets the rules for IEPs. In Montana, the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) oversees special education statewide. Your local school district handles evaluations and writes the IEP. Start by asking the school, in writing, to evaluate your child. A Turnout education advocate can review records and join your meetings, starting with a free case review. See also our education advocacy guides.

Official resources: Montana OPI Special Education and the U.S. Department of Education's IDEA site.

What this means for you

1. Start with your biggest need. If it's food, health care, or heat, one application at apply.mt.gov covers several programs.
2. Gather your papers first. Have ID, recent pay stubs or income letters, and household details ready.
3. Check the official links before ruling yourself out. Income limits change, and many people qualify for more than they expect.
4. Call when you get stuck. The Public Assistance Helpline can help with state programs. You can also reach the Turnout team with any question.

For example, a Billings parent whose work hours were cut might apply for SNAP and Medicaid in one sitting. Then they'd call a local WIC clinic the same week.

FAQ

Can I apply for more than one program at the same time?

Yes. One application at apply.mt.gov can cover Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and energy assistance. Pick every program you want help with when you fill it out.

What if I don't have internet or a computer?

You can apply by phone through the Public Assistance Helpline at 1-888-706-1535. You can also visit your local Office of Public Assistance and apply in person. For SSDI or SSI, call SSA at 1-800-772-1213 to start a claim or set up an appointment.

What happens if my application is denied?

You'll get a written notice that explains the reason and how to appeal. For state programs, that notice tells you how to ask for a fair hearing, which is a review by someone outside the original decision. Read the notice when it arrives so you know the appeal deadline.

Does Montana's EITC happen automatically?

No. You claim it on your Montana income tax return, and it's based on the federal EITC you claim with the IRS. If you qualified for the federal credit, check whether you also claimed the state one.

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 benefits scan takes a few minutes, asks plain questions in plain language, and shows which programs you may qualify for. Run your free Montana benefits scan to see where to start today.

It's your turn. Get started.