Financial & Housing Support
Parenting brings big changes—and sometimes, big expenses. Utah offers a range of programs to help with rent, bills, and basic needs, so you can focus on your baby without extra stress. These resources are here because your family’s well-being matters to our whole community.
Asking for help is a sign of strength. By using these programs, you’re making sure your family has what it needs to be safe, healthy, and cared for. Every parent deserves support, and these services exist to give you a real boost when you need it most. Take what you need—your community is here to help you and your child thrive.
Quick Links
SNAP (Food Stamps)
SNAP helps low-income families and individuals buy groceries by providing monthly benefits on a special EBT debit card (the Horizon Card). This support is for anyone who needs help making sure there’s enough food at home, whether you’re pregnant, caring for a newborn, or raising older kids.
What They Offer
- Monthly food budget help – Funds are loaded onto your Horizon Card every month to buy groceries like fruits, vegetables, milk, meat, cereal, baby formula, and more.
- Emergency SNAP – For urgent situations, you may qualify for expedited approval and get food benefits within 7 days.
How to Get Help
Apply online: jobs.utah.gov/mycase
In person: Any Department of Workforce Services (DWS) Employment Center.
Call: 1-866-435-7414 for help or questions.
Community organizations like Utahns Against Hunger can also guide you through the process if you need extra support.
Why It Matters
SNAP can take a huge burden off your shoulders by helping you keep healthy food on the table—even when money is tight. With this program, you can worry less about groceries and more about bonding with your baby and taking care of yourself.
TANF – Family Employment Program (Cash Assistance)
The Family Employment Program (FEP), Utah’s version of TANF, provides short-term cash assistance to low-income parents and pregnant women. It’s designed to help you cover basic needs and find financial stability while you work toward long-term self-sufficiency.
What They Offer
- Monthly cash payments – Flexible funds added to your Horizon EBT card, which you can use for rent, bills, diapers, or other essentials.
- Employment and training support – Get help with job searches, resumes, training, or returning to school.
- Coverage for pregnant mothers – Pregnant women in their third trimester may qualify. You may get coverage even before your baby is born.
- Time-limited support – Up to 36 months of assistance over your lifetime, to help you stabilize and plan for your family's future.
How to Get Help
Apply online: jobs.utah.gov
In person: Visit your local DWS office.
Call: 1-866-435-7414 to apply or ask questions.
If you already have a SNAP or Medicaid caseworker, ask about adding FEP/cash assistance to your case. Once approved, you'll be paired with an employment counselor who can help create your plan.
Why It Matters
This program provides flexible cash when you need it most—helping with everything from rent to baby supplies. It also connects you with someone who understands your situation and wants to help you build a stronger future. TANF/FEP is more than a check; it’s a supportive partner as you navigate the challenges of new parenthood and work toward stability for your family.
Utah Housing Coalition
Utah Housing Coalition (UHC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping Utahns find and keep safe, affordable housing. While UHC doesn’t provide money directly, it connects you with helpful resources, tools, and programs for renters across the state.
What They Offer
- Renter resources – Tenant guides in English and Spanish about leases, rights, and finding apartments.
- Referrals to rent assistance programs – Information about who to contact for emergency rent, deposits, or housing in your county.
- Affordable housing listings – Links to low-income options, waitlists, and programs like Section 8.
- Advocacy and support – Help with housing questions, information about tenant rights, and connections to legal resources.
How to Get Help
Call: (801) 364-0077 during business hours.
Website: utahhousing.org for renter guides, contact info, and housing listings.
In person: 230 South 500 West #216, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 (M–F, 9am–5pm).
You can also fill out the online contact form on their website, or ask your local Housing Authority for a referral.
Why It Matters
Housing challenges can be overwhelming, but UHC gives you tools and people to walk with you through the process. With support, knowledge, and guidance, you don’t have to face housing issues alone.
Utah Community Action – Rent & Deposit Assistance
Utah Community Action (UCA) offers emergency rent and deposit help for families in Salt Lake County and parts of Tooele County facing a short-term financial crisis. If you’re at risk of eviction or struggling to cover a deposit for a new place, UCA can help keep your family housed.
What They Offer
- Emergency rent payment – One-time or short-term rent help paid directly to your landlord to prevent eviction or help you move into a new home.
- Security deposit assistance – Help with the upfront deposit costs for affordable housing if you qualify.
- Landlord-tenant mediation – Support resolving conflicts with your landlord, including arranging payment plans or stopping an eviction.
- Holistic case management – A case manager connects you with other resources, such as utility help, childcare, or job support, so your overall situation improves.
How to Get Help
Call: Housing Intake Line at (801) 359-2444
Apply online: utahca.org (look for Case Management & Housing.)
Email: housingintake@utahca.org for questions of applicaiton help.
Visit: 1307 South 900 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84104 (M–F, 9 am–5 pm)
Why It Matters
A one-time financial crisis shouldn’t cost you your home. UCA’s rent and deposit help can make the difference between stability and homelessness, giving you time to recover and move forward. With caring staff and connections to other supports, this program lifts a major weight and helps you focus on what matters most—your child’s safety and well-being.
Emergency Rent & Utility Help
These programs offer urgent, one-time help for rent, mortgage, or utility bills when a sudden crisis puts your home or services at risk. Whether you’ve received a disconnect or eviction notice, or just need a short-term boost to keep the lights on, these programs step in to bridge the gap and prevent homelessness or shut-offs.
What They Offer
- HEAT (Home Energy Assistance Target program) – One-time payments or emergency intervention to help cover heating and electricity bills, especially in winter.
- Emergency rental assistance – Short-term help with overdue rent, upcoming rent, or even court fees to stop eviction.
- Mortgage and utility help – Payment plans or charity support for overdue bills, including hardship programs from utility companies and some help for homeowners.
- Rapid rehousing and shelter diversion – Short-term help to get families into safe housing quickly or avoid shelter, sometimes including motel stays or mediation with landlords.
How to Get Help
Call: 2-1-1 to be directed to local programs for rent or utility emergencies.
Apply online: jobs.utah.gov for HEAT utility help.
For rent help: In Salt Lake County, call Utah Community Action (801-359-2444) or Housing Authority of Salt Lake City (801-487-2161). In other counties, 2-1-1 will refer you to local agencies.
For utility shut-offs: Call your power/gas company directly, then 2-1-1. Often a shut-off can be paused while you wait for assistance.
Be ready with proof of the crisis, like a disconnect or eviction notice. Contact assistance programs as soon as you know you need help! Funds are first-come, first-served.
Why It Matters
A sudden crisis—like a lost paycheck, illness, or high utility bill—shouldn’t put your family on the street or in the dark. Emergency assistance programs are there to buy you time and security, giving you space to recover and plan for the future. Accepting this help is a smart, protective step for your family—your child deserves warmth, safety, and stability.
Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers are a long-term rent assistance program for low-income families. With a voucher, you pay an affordable portion of your income for rent, and the program pays the rest directly to your landlord—helping you secure stable, safe housing that fits your family’s needs.
What They Offer
- Significant rent reduction – Pay about 30% of your income for rent, and the voucher covers the rest.
- Choice of housing – Use your voucher with any landlord who accepts it, in houses, condos, or apartments that fit your family’s needs.
- Stability and security – Keep your voucher as long as you’re eligible, with flexible support so you don't lose your home as your income changes.
- Potential for growth – Some programs offer extra support to help you save money or even work toward homeownership.
How to Get Help
Apply through your local Housing Authority: Call 2-1-1 or visit utahhousing.org to find your local office.
Watch for open waitlists: Demand is high, so get on the list as soon as it's open.Apply onlinupdate your contact info if you move.
Special circumstances: If you’re fleeing domestic violence or homeless, ask about priority placement.
Why It Matters
A Section 8 voucher can be life-changing. It makes rent affordable and gives your family long-term housing stability. Even though there may be a wait, applying now sets your family up for security, freedom, and a better future.
2-1-1 Utah (Information & Referral Service)
2-1-1 is Utah’s free helpline and online database that connects you to every kind of community assistance—financial, housing, food, childcare, counseling, and more. It’s your first step when you’re not sure where to start or need a quick answer about what’s available in your area.
What They Offer
- Live helpline with caring specialists – Talk to someone who will listen and guide you to the right resources.
- Comprehensive resource database – Access thousands of programs statewide, from large government aid programs to small nonprofits.
- Multiple contact methods – Call, text, chat online, or visit the website—help is available in many languages.
- Follow-up and special initiatives – Outreach programs like toy drives or emergency help during holidays or disasters.
How to Get Help
Call: 2-1-1 from any phone in Utah
Text: Your zip code to 898-211 (M–F, 8 am–5 pm)
Alternate line: Call 1-888-826-9790 if 2-1-1 doesn't work on your phone.
Website: 211utah.org to search for services, chat with a specialist, or download county resource guides.
Why It Matters
Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to turn. 2-1-1 takes away the guesswork by quickly and kindly connecting you to all the help available in your area—so you never have to figure it out alone.