Wyoming Kinship Caregiver Benefits Checklist

The Five Programs Every Wyoming Kinship Caregiver Should Check

When a grandchild or relative's child arrives in your home, benefits are scattered across multiple Wyoming agencies. Missing even one program can mean leaving real money on the table each month. Here is the complete list of programs to evaluate:

1. POWER Caretaker Relative Cash Grant (DFS) A monthly cash payment for the child — your income does not count. Apply through your county DFS office or email [email protected]. The child must have limited income and resources of their own.

2. SNAP Food Assistance (DFS) Monthly EBT funds for groceries. This one does count your household income, but deductions for shelter costs, medical expenses (if you are 60 or older), and dependent care can bring the net number down significantly. Apply at the same time as POWER.

3. Kid Care CHIP or Medicaid (Department of Health) Health coverage for the child. Income limits go up to 200% of the federal poverty level for Kid Care CHIP. Apply through the Wyoming Eligibility System at www.wesystem.wyo.gov or call 1-855-294-2127. Your income may be excluded entirely if you do not claim the child as a tax dependent.

4. ECARES Childcare Subsidy (DFS) Help paying for licensed childcare while you work, job-search, or attend school. Apply through the ECARES portal at childcare.dfs.wyo.gov. The initial income ceiling is 175% of the federal poverty level.

5. LIEAP Heating Assistance (DFS) Seasonal help with heating bills, usually open October through April. Apply through your county DFS office.

Documents to Gather Before You Apply

Having everything ready before your first DFS appointment or phone interview avoids delays. Collect these for every application:

• Child's birth certificate (or hospital birth record)
• Child's Social Security card (or SSA printout)
• Your photo ID and Social Security card
• Proof of Wyoming residency — lease, utility bill, or mortgage statement
• Proof of kinship — birth certificates showing the family connection from child to parent to you
• Proof the child lives with you — school enrollment records, medical appointment records, or a landlord statement
• Income documentation — your last 30 days of pay stubs, Social Security award letter, or pension statement
• Any income the child receives — child support, Social Security survivor benefits, SSI
• Housing costs — rent receipt or mortgage statement, plus recent utility bills

For Medicaid and Kid Care CHIP specifically, you may also need the child's immigration or citizenship documentation.

Application Tracking Checklist

Once you start filing, use this as a quick reference to make sure nothing slips:

• [ ] POWER application submitted — date: ___
• [ ] DFS phone interview completed (1-307-777-8550) — date: ___
• [ ] SNAP application submitted (same form as POWER) — date: ___
• [ ] Medicaid/CHIP application submitted at www.wesystem.wyo.gov — date: ___
• [ ] ECARES childcare application submitted — date: ___
• [ ] LIEAP application submitted (if October–April) — date: ___
• [ ] WIC appointment scheduled (if child is under 5) — date: ___

SNAP applications are generally processed within 30 days, Medicaid and Kid Care CHIP applications can take up to 45 days, and POWER follows a Pay-After-Performance schedule. Expedited SNAP benefits must be available within 7 days for households that meet DFS's expedited-service criteria.

When to Follow Up

If you have not received a decision within the processing window, call your county DFS office to ask for a status update. The statewide interview line is reserved for completing interviews, not case status questions. You are entitled to know where your case stands.

If a benefit is denied, you have the right to appeal through a formal Fair Hearing — 30 days for POWER, 90 days for SNAP. Keep every denial notice.

The Wyoming Financial Help for Kinship Caregivers guide includes printable tracking worksheets, a complete document preparation checklist, and step-by-step instructions for each program's application — including what to say during the DFS intake interview.

See more Wyoming guides →