The state of Kansas and local governments are committed to helping Kansans who are struggling amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Below you can find information on the variety of public and non-profit resources that are available to help individuals and families respond to challenges with housing, healthcare, food, finances or other issues.
Please reach out to me if you have further questions and I will do my best to assist.
COVID-19 Information
Johnson County COVID-19 information site: https://www.jocogov.org/coronavirus-covid-19-update
Kansas Department of Health and Environment COVID-19 information site: https://www.coronavirus.kdheks.gov/
Centers for Disease Control federal COVID-19 information site: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
Johnson County COVID-19 Map and Data including information on cases by ZIP code, hospital usage, testing, etc.
Unemployment Assistance
To apply for unemployment benefits please visit www.GetKansasBenefits.org
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance provides $600 in weekly benefits to gig workers and other individuals not normally eligible for unemployment insurance: https://www.pua.getkansasbenefits.gov/
Contact Center Numbers
Kansas City: (913) 596-3500
Topeka: (785)575-1460
Wichita: (316) 383-9947
Toll-Free: (800) 292-6333
If you have an account but are having trouble logging in, please fill out the form here: https://www.getkansasbenefits.gov/ContactFormClaimant.aspx
Food Assistance
WIC is a nutrition program that provides nutrition and health education, healthy food and other services to qualifying women that are either pregnant or have a child between the ages of 0 and 5. Apply through your county’s health department. Your local department can be found here: http://www.kansaswic.org/families/WIC_county_map.html
School Lunches: Free meals for children ages 1-18 are being served at numerous school locations throughout Kansas. Check with your local school district for meal distribution sites in your area. No application is necessary, and anyone can pick up meals for their children. Simply arrive at the meal distribution site and pick up your meals.
SNAP food assistance (formerly known as food stamps) provides qualifying low-income households with benefits to buy food. Paper applications are also available outside each DCF service center across the state. Completed applications can be left in drop boxes outside each service center. Apply online at
http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/pages/food/foodassistance.aspx
Harvester's SNAP outreach program helps people apply by phone. Call: (877) 653-9522 or visit http://www.harvesters.org/Get-Help/Snap
TEFAP (The Emergency Food Assistance Program) provides free foods to low-income households throughout Kansas. TEFAP food is shipped throughout the year to participating organizations for distribution. To find your county's distributing organization and food distribution site please visit:
http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Documents/Food_Distribution_Programs/TEFAP%
20Distribution%20Sites%20by%20County.pdf
CSFP (Commodity Supplemental Food Program) distributes monthly food packages to persons 60 years or older with income less than 130% of the Federal Poverty Level. To apply to receive a food package through one of the regional administering organizations please visit
http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/USDA-Commodity-Programs/CSFP/CSFP-FAQs.aspx
Nutrition Services for Older Adults: Free meals for seniors are available for persons 60 years or older through the Older Americans Act. For information on how to access these meals in your area please call the Aging and Disability Resource Center at: (855) 200-2372. You can also visit the ElderCare Locator online at: https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx
Meals on Wheels provides meal delivery for seniors, apply at www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org
Harvesters Community Food Network
Counties: SN, JO, DG, WY, FR, MI, JF, JA, PT, RL, CY, WS, MS, NM, OS, WB
Email customercare@harvesters.org or call (877) 353-6639
Second Harvest Community Food Bank
Counties: LV, AT, BR, DP
Visit www.shcfb.org or call (816) 364-3663
The Kansas Food Bank
All other counties
Email info@kansasfoodbank.org or call (316) 265-3663
Medical Care
KanCare provides health coverage for qualifying families and children, pregnant women, as well as elderly and persons with disabilities. For more information visit www.kancare.ks.gov
Find additional information here:
https://www.kdheks.gov/hcf/Medicaid/eligibility_guidelines.html
Cash Assistance
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Cash Assistance: The amount of cash benefit provided depends upon the family’s income and the county where the family lives. For more information please visit:
http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/Pages/Cash/TANF.aspx
Housing Assistance
Kansas Housing Corporation helps Kansans access safe, affordable housing. Find information on emergency housing and tenant based rental assistance at www.kshousingcorp.org
Section 8 Voucher Assistance Programs assist very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing apply at www.hud.gov
Kansas LIEAP helps eligible households pay a portion of their home energy costs by providing a one-time per year benefit:
http://www.dcf.ks.gov/services/ees/pages/energy/energyassistance.aspx
Kansas Citizens' Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB) can help with utilities/shutoffs: www.curb.kansas.gov
Other Support
Kansas Appleseed Rights and Resources Webinars: www.kansasappleseed.org
Kansas Legal Services provides direct legal assistance for things like evictions , wage issues,
etc. For more information visit www.kansaslegalservices.org
Hero Relief Program provides child care subsidies to eligible health care workers, first
responders and other essential workers. For more information visit http://www.dcf.ks.gov/Newsroom/Pages/HeroReliefProgram.aspx