65 programs that pay part of what families spend on child care, health care, food, housing, and more. Each program decides who qualifies and how much it pays.
Facts come from each program’s own pages, checked Sep 27 to Oct 3.
Best Beginnings is Montana’s child care scholarship. It pays part of licensed care, and families pay a monthly co-pay based on income. Child Care Resources runs it for the Missoula area.
by Montana DPHHS
Part of the cost of licensed child care. Families pay a monthly co-pay based on income.
The local office for Montana’s Best Beginnings scholarship, which pays part of child care for families with low income.
Child care scholarships at Origins: families pay their co-pay plus a reduced daily or hourly rate.
by Raise Montana
Best Beginnings scholarships through your regional child care referral office, with an income-based co-pay.
Healthy Montana Kids insures children up to age 19, and Montana Medicaid covers doctor, dental, vision, and maternity care. Apply for both at apply.mt.gov. Partnership Health Center discounts care by household income.
by Montana DPHHS
Free or low-cost health insurance for children, including medical, dental, and eyeglasses.
by Montana DPHHS
Doctor and hospital care, dental, vision, prescriptions, maternity care, and rides to appointments.
by Montana DPHHS
Checkups, screenings, and treatment for children on Medicaid.
by Partnership Health Center
Discounts on medical, dental, behavioral health, pharmacy, and lab care.
by Partnership Health Center
Free help with Medicaid renewals, new applications, and insurance questions.
by Missoula Lions Club
Eye exams and eyeglasses.
by Providence
Lodging near Missoula hospitals; the Welcome Home Fund covers guests who cannot pay the nightly fee.
Pasteurized donor milk for babies when a parent’s milk is not available, at $5 an ounce.
by Mother’s Milk Bank of Montana
Pasteurized donor milk for babies with medical needs, at $5 an ounce.
Children’s Special Health Services pays up to $2,000 a year for children with special health care needs, and Montana Assistive Technology Loans lends for equipment at low or no interest.
by Montana DPHHS
Up to $2,000 a year for treatment, services, or items for children with special health care needs.
by Rural Dynamics
Loans to buy assistive technology: 0% interest up to $1,500 and 3.5% above that.
by Moving Mountains Foundation
Grants for a family’s immediate needs, based on need and available funds.
by Montana DPHHS
Vouchers that pay for respite care for family caregivers.
SNAP puts grocery money on a Montana Access Card. Schools in Missoula County Public Schools and Hellgate serve free or reduced-price meals to students who qualify.
by Montana DPHHS
Groceries, paid with a Montana Access debit card.
by Missoula Food Bank & Community Center
Free groceries twice a month, and staff who help you apply for SNAP and school meals.
by Missoula County Public Schools
School lunch for students who qualify; breakfast is free.
by Hellgate Elementary School District
School breakfast and lunch for students who qualify.
With a Housing Choice Voucher or Missoula Housing Authority housing, families pay about 30% of income toward rent. The Emergency Solutions Grant pays first month’s rent and deposits to move into a home.
by Montana Department of Commerce
Rent: families pay about 30% of income, and the voucher pays the rest to the landlord.
by Missoula Housing Authority
Rental homes where participants pay 30% of their income toward rent.
by Human Resource Council
First month’s rent, security deposit, and utility deposit to move into permanent housing.
by United Way of Missoula County
Flexible money to keep housing you might lose, or to move into a safe home.
by Human Resource Council
Housing and utility help for young adults, with a housing advocate.
by Habitat for Humanity of Missoula
Homes sold at cost with no interest or profit, and repairs for veteran families.
by Homeword
Free housing and money counseling, child care during classes, and a savings match up to $500.
LIHEAP pays part of winter heating bills for homeowners and renters. Energy Share helps in an energy emergency when other help is used up.
by Montana DPHHS
Part of winter heating bills, some furnace emergencies, and work to cut a home’s energy use.
by Human Resource Council
Heating emergencies for LIHEAP homeowners, and Energy Share help when other aid is used up.
by Energy Share of Montana
Home energy emergencies, energy safety, and efficiency needs.
by Missoula Electric Cooperative
A discount on electric bills for members who heat with electricity.
Free Cycles gives a free bike to kids 10 and under, and River of Life runs a free clothing closet.
by The Bridge — Hope in the Roots
Winter coats by request, and vouchers to shop at The Bridge for free.
by River of Life
Furniture through River of Life’s outreach ministry.
by Free Cycles
A free bicycle for kids 10 and under; older kids earn one.
Share the Fun pays toward most Missoula Parks and Recreation programs, and the YMCA offers sliding-scale help with membership, camp, and sports. Many leagues and clubs run their own scholarships.
by Missoula Parks and Recreation
Part of the cost of camps, swim passes, swim lessons, and most other Parks and Recreation programs.
YMCA membership and programs, including summer camp, child care, and youth sports, on a sliding scale.
by Missoula Area Youth Hockey Association
Up to two-thirds of registration fees and equipment rental, but not USA Hockey fees or travel.
Help for Missoula-area youth ages 8 to 18 to play hockey.
Football fees for families who need help; funds are limited each season.
by Mount Sentinel Little League
All or part of registration fees, plus required uniforms and equipment.
by Montana Fencing Foundation
Help for Montana youth to try fencing and to travel for training and tournaments.
by Missoula Music Teachers Association
Part of the cost of a University of Montana summer music camp.
Missoula International School and Missoula Christian Montessori School both help with tuition, and United Way gives school supplies to the students who need them most.
by Missoula International School
Need-based help with tuition; one in three students receive it.
by Missoula Christian Montessori School
20 to 50% of K-12 tuition at a private school you choose, plus short-term help for current families.
by United Way of Missoula County
A backpack filled with school supplies.
Reach Higher Montana gives young people from foster care up to $5,000 a year for school, and the Missoula Community Foundation awards scholarships to local graduating seniors.
by Reach Higher Montana
Up to $5,000 a year for school costs after high school.
by Hopa Mountain
Application and testing fees, scholarship help, coaching, and mentors for college or trade school.
by Kids’ Chance of Montana
Tuition, fees, room and board, books, and supplies after high school, paid to the school.
by Missoula College
Awards of about $500 toward Missoula College.
by Missoula Community Foundation
College, university, or trade school costs for local graduates.
by Elks National Foundation
$1,000 to $7,500 a year toward a four-year degree.
Four companies file federal returns free through IRS Free File, each with its own income limit. AARP Tax-Aide and RDI Tax Help volunteers prepare returns at no cost.
by 1040.com
A free federal tax return, and a free state return if you qualify.
by OLT.com
Free federal and state tax returns.
by TaxAct
A free federal return and a free Montana return.
by TaxSlayer
Free federal filing with phone and email support.
by AARP Foundation and University of Montana
Free tax preparation by certified volunteers.
by Rural Dynamics
Free tax preparation by IRS-certified volunteers, in person or online.
Crime Victim Compensation pays up to $25,000 in crime-related costs, and Child Support Services collects support and pays it out to families.
by Montana Department of Justice
Up to $25,000 in crime-related costs, paid to providers or back to the victim.
by Montana Department of Justice
Crime-related costs, and short-term emergency lodging for victims of domestic violence or trafficking.
by Montana DPHHS
Collects child support and pays it by direct deposit or card; $25 to enroll, free with public assistance.
by Montana DPHHS
Payments for families who adopt children with special needs from foster care.
by VFW Ole Beck Post 209
Emergency help for veterans, such as hotel stays and gas, and larger requests from the community.
Parenting class fees, and one donation a month toward a safe, comfortable home.