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Last updated: 26 September 2026
Older Montanans with disabilities may need several kinds of help at the same time: care at home, Medicaid, safe housing, transportation, assistive equipment, food, heating help, or legal support. Montana uses different state and local offices for these needs, so the best first call depends on the problem.
Bottom Line
For most non-emergency needs, start with a Montana Aging and Disability Resource Center or call the Aging Services Network at 1-800-551-3191. For Medicaid, SNAP, or heating help, use ApplyMT or call the Public Assistance Helpline at 1-888-706-1535. If the main issue is hands-on help at home, ask about Community First Choice Services, Personal Care Services, and the Big Sky Waiver.
Urgent Help
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. If an older or disabled adult may be experiencing abuse, neglect, or exploitation and the danger is not life-threatening, report it to Adult Protective Services at 1-844-277-9300. For a mental health or suicide crisis, call or text 988. For urgent food, shelter, heat, transportation, or local bill help, call 211 or use Montana 211.
Start Here
- Describe the main problem. Say whether you need hands-on care, food, housing, a ride, equipment, safety help, or help understanding a notice.
- Give your county and age. Montana is large and many services are regional. Tribal programs may also have separate routes.
- Ask for the next two steps. If one program has a waitlist or cannot help, ask which other office or service can help now.
For local aging services, meals, Medicare counseling, rides, and options counseling, see the GFS guide to Montana aging offices. For state application portals, see Montana benefits portals.
Quick Reference
| Need | Start here | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Help with bathing, dressing, meals, or daily care | ADRC, Medicaid, or home-care program | CFCS, PCS, Big Sky Waiver, and help while waiting |
| Food, Medicaid, or heating help | ApplyMT or Public Assistance | SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP, and related programs |
| Affordable or accessible housing | Montana Commerce and local housing providers | Voucher lists, accessible units, and reasonable accommodations |
| Equipment or home access | MonTECH or a Center for Independent Living | Loans, reuse, home modifications, and funding options |
| Rights, discrimination, or a difficult denial | Disability Rights Montana or legal aid | Appeal, accommodation, representation, or referral |
What Has Changed
- Medicaid Expansion rules changed in July 2026. Montana says some adults ages 19 through 64 who use Medicaid Expansion must meet a monthly community-engagement requirement unless an exclusion or exception applies. The state lists health-related limitations and Medicare eligibility among situations that may change how the rule applies. If you are 60 to 64, read every DPHHS notice and check the current Medicaid changes page.
- Montana has posted 2026–2027 LIHEAP rules. The general heating season runs October 1 through April 30. ApplyMT says households using propane, fuel oil, wood or pellets, or coal may apply starting September 1. Weatherization can be requested year-round.
- The Big Sky Waiver still has a waiting list. A referral can still be worthwhile, but ask what in-home help may be available while you wait.
Home Care and Medicaid
Montana has more than one Medicaid path for people who need help at home. The right route depends on Medicaid eligibility, the type of daily help needed, and whether the person meets a nursing-facility level of care.
Big Sky Waiver
What it helps with: The Big Sky Waiver can support people who would otherwise need institutional care so they can remain in a home or community setting. Services can include case management, homemaker help, personal assistance, respite, environmental adaptations, transportation, emergency-response systems, therapies, and specialized medical equipment.
Who may qualify: Montana says the person must be financially eligible for Medicaid, meet nursing-facility level-of-care rules, and have an unmet need that waiver services can address.
Where to start: Call Mountain Pacific at 1-800-219-7035 or 406-443-4020 for a referral. For Medicaid financial eligibility, contact a local Public Assistance office.
Reality check: Montana currently reports a waiting list. Ask when your referral was recorded, how updates are communicated, and which services can help while you wait.
CFCS and PCS
What they help with: Community First Choice Services (CFCS) and Personal Care Services (PCS) are Medicaid home-care programs. They can cover help with activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, eating, medication assistance, walking, and medical escort.
Who may qualify: The state says a person must have a health condition that limits activities of daily living, complete screening, and be eligible for Medicaid. CFCS also requires nursing-home level of care.
Where to start: Review the state CFCS and PCS page, then ask how to begin screening in your area. Family caregivers should also review the GFS guide to Montana caregiver programs, because some care arrangements have separate rules.
Reality check: These programs do not pay for every household task. Montana specifically excludes general transportation, most home repairs, pet care, and major cleaning from ordinary CFCS/PCS coverage.
Medicaid medical transportation
Montana Medicaid travel assistance may help eligible members get to covered medical care. The state says the Transportation Center must approve the trip before travel. Depending on medical need, transportation can include a private vehicle, commercial transportation, or specialized non-emergency transportation.
Call 1-800-292-7114 or 406-443-6100 before the trip. Do not assume a ride will be reimbursed after the fact.
For adults ages 60 to 64
If you receive Medicaid Expansion, do not ignore new eligibility or redetermination notices. Montana began applying new federal Medicaid Expansion rules in July 2026. Some people must show qualifying activities, while exclusions or exceptions may apply for health conditions, Medicare eligibility, and other circumstances. Call 1-888-706-1535 if a notice is unclear.
Food, Heating, and Medicare Cost Help
SNAP food benefits
Montana’s SNAP program can help eligible households buy food. A rule that matters for older or disabled households is the medical-expense deduction. The state says non-reimbursed medical expenses over $35 per month per household may be deductible when the household includes an elderly or disabled member.
Keep pharmacy receipts, insurance premium records, dental bills, hearing or vision costs, and medical transportation costs. Do not decide that your income is too high before asking a worker to count allowable deductions.
LIHEAP and Weatherization
Montana’s LIHEAP program helps eligible renters and homeowners with part of winter energy costs and may help with some furnace emergencies. For the 2026–2027 program year, Montana has posted updated income and resource limits. The general heating season is October 1 through April 30. ApplyMT says households using propane, fuel oil, wood or pellets, or coal may apply starting September 1. Weatherization can be requested during the year.
If you need broader crisis help for heat, food, rent, or shelter, use the GFS guide to Montana emergency help.
Medicare counseling
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free Medicare counseling through Montana’s aging network. Call 1-800-551-3191 and ask for SHIP. A counselor can help you review Medicare coverage, drug plans, Extra Help, and Medicare Savings Programs. If care costs are pushing you toward assisted living, the GFS guide to affording assisted living explains additional payment routes.
Housing, Home Access, and Property Tax Help
Housing Choice Vouchers
The Montana Department of Commerce Housing Choice Voucher program helps eligible households rent in the private market. The state says participating families generally pay about 30% of adjusted gross monthly income for rent and utilities, subject to program rules and payment standards.
If a disability affects forms, communication, bedroom needs, parking, accessibility, or the time needed to search for housing, ask about a reasonable accommodation. Waiting times can be long, and lists may vary by region. The GFS guide to Montana housing help covers more rental and subsidized-housing options.
Section 811 disability housing
Montana’s Section 811 program provides project-based rental assistance in participating properties for certain very low-income adults with disabilities who can receive community-based supports. At admission, this program is aimed at nonelderly disabled adults, generally ages 18 through 61. For someone already 62 or older, ask about Housing Choice Vouchers, project-based Section 8, and accessible senior housing instead.
Home modifications and equipment
The Big Sky Waiver may cover environmental adaptations for some eligible members, but many people need another route. Ask a Center for Independent Living about accessibility planning and local resources. For repair-specific options, your local aging office can also help identify county programs, weatherization, or housing partners.
Property tax help
The Montana Department of Revenue’s PTAP program can reduce the property tax rate on the first portion of a qualifying primary residence’s market value for eligible lower-income homeowners. The rules depend on income, ownership, and occupancy.
Montana also has a disabled first responder property-tax program that became effective in 2026 for qualifying first responders injured in the line of duty and certain surviving spouses. Disabled veterans have a separate state program. Compare the routes in the GFS guide to Montana property tax help.
Equipment and Communication Help
Try equipment before buying
MonTECH equipment loans let Montanans borrow assistive technology and adaptive equipment, often for 30, 90, or 180 days. Many items can be shipped in Montana, although large or costly items may need pickup. This can help you test a device before spending money.
For local reuse programs and loan closets, see Montana medical equipment.
Assistive-technology loans
The MATL loan program finances certain assistive technology, home modifications, vehicle modifications, hearing aids, durable medical equipment, and related needs. It is a loan, not a grant. Eligibility does not guarantee approval, so compare repayment terms before borrowing.
Phone and relay access
If hearing, speech, vision, mobility, or another disability makes a standard telephone hard to use, contact Montana Accessible Communications at 1-800-833-8503. Montana Relay can also be reached by dialing 711 for standard relay service.
Rights, Safety, and Legal Help
Independent Living Centers
Montana has four Centers for Independent Living serving all counties. The state says these nonprofit centers serve people of every age and disability and can provide information and referral, independent-living skills, peer mentoring, advocacy, and transition help. Use the state Independent Living Centers page to find the right service area.
Disability rights
Disability Rights Montana is the state’s protection and advocacy organization for people with disabilities. It handles disability-related rights issues and referrals. Call 1-800-245-4743 or 406-449-2344.
Civil legal help
Montana Legal Services helps eligible people with civil legal problems. The current helpline is 1-800-666-6899. Apply early if a hearing, eviction, benefits deadline, or loss of services is involved.
Long-term care complaints
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman helps residents of nursing homes and assisted living settings with rights, complaints, discharge issues, and quality-of-care concerns. Call 1-800-332-2272 during normal business hours. If danger is immediate, call 911.
Older veterans with disabilities may also have separate VA and state routes. See Montana veteran benefits for those paths.
Documents and Information to Gather
You do not need every paper before making the first call. Start the process, then ask what is missing. These items commonly help.
| Document or detail | Why it helps | Practical tip |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID and Social Security number | Many programs verify identity. | Ask what alternatives are accepted if an ID is expired. |
| Income and bank records | Medicaid, SNAP, housing, energy, and tax programs may review finances. | Use the newest statements available. |
| Medical notes and care needs | Home-care screening focuses on daily activities and safety. | Write down what help is needed with bathing, dressing, meals, mobility, memory, and medicines. |
| Rent, utility, tax, or repair papers | They show housing costs, deadlines, and the problem to be solved. | Keep notices with dates and account numbers visible. |
| Medical expense receipts | SNAP and some other programs may count certain expenses. | Keep pharmacy, premium, dental, vision, hearing, and medical travel records. |
| Helper authorization | A caregiver may need permission to speak for the applicant. | Ask the agency whether it needs a release form, representative form, or legal document. |
How to Start Without Wasting Time
- Call the office tied to the most urgent problem first.
- Give your county, age, disability-related need, and any deadline.
- Ask whether the program is open, whether there is a waitlist, and whether another program can help sooner.
- Write down the worker’s name, date, and what to send next.
- Keep copies or photos of forms and proof you submitted.
Reality Checks
- Waitlists are real. The Big Sky Waiver currently has one, and housing lists can also be slow.
- County and Tribal routes can differ. Ask which office serves your exact address.
- Medicaid programs use different rules. Eligibility for one service does not automatically mean eligibility for another.
- Equipment help may be a loan. MonTECH lending is different from the MATL financing program.
- Housing help is rarely immediate. If you need shelter or rent help now, use 211 and emergency resources while applying for longer-term housing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Calling only one office and stopping after the first “no.”
- Leaving out details about bathing, dressing, walking, memory, meals, or medication help during a care screening.
- Ignoring mail from DPHHS, housing programs, or a waiver program.
- Assuming medical expenses do not matter for SNAP.
- Paying for a secret “grant list” or giving bank login information to someone who promises guaranteed aid.
Denied, Delayed, or Overwhelmed
Keep the written notice and envelope. Find the appeal or response deadline before doing anything else. Ask the office to explain the reason in plain language and identify missing proof.
If the problem involves disability discrimination, loss of services, housing rights, or an inaccessible process, contact Disability Rights Montana or legal aid. If a waiver or housing list is delayed, ask your ADRC or Center for Independent Living what support can help while you wait.
Backup Options
When one program cannot help, combine smaller routes. A person waiting for waiver services may still be able to use CFCS/PCS, local meals, caregiver support, equipment loans, Medicaid transportation, or a Center for Independent Living. A renter waiting for a voucher may still need 211, legal aid, local subsidized housing, or an accessibility accommodation.
The goal is not to find one perfect program. It is to build a safe set of supports that covers the most urgent needs first.
Phone Scripts
Home care
“I am an older Montanan with a disability. I need help with daily activities at home. Can you screen me for CFCS or PCS and tell me how to request a Big Sky Waiver referral?”
Housing
“I need an affordable, accessible place to live. Is the waiting list open, and how do I request a reasonable accommodation because of my disability?”
Equipment
“I need equipment to stay safe and independent. Is there a loan, reuse, demonstration, or home-modification program that serves my county?”
Denial or notice
“I received a notice dated _____. What is my deadline to respond or appeal? What proof is missing, and how can I submit it and get confirmation?”
Resumen en Español
Las personas mayores con discapacidades en Montana pueden pedir ayuda para cuidado en casa, Medicaid, comida, calefacción, vivienda accesible, transporte médico, equipo y ayuda legal. Para servicios locales, llame a la red de envejecimiento al 1-800-551-3191. Para Medicaid, SNAP o LIHEAP, use ApplyMT o llame al 1-888-706-1535.
Si necesita ayuda en casa, pregunte por CFCS, PCS y Big Sky Waiver. Big Sky Waiver tiene lista de espera, así que pregunte qué otros servicios puede usar mientras espera. Si hay peligro inmediato, llame al 911. Para abuso, negligencia o explotación que no sea una emergencia, llame a Adult Protective Services al 1-844-277-9300.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should a disabled Montana senior start?
For most non-emergency needs, start with the Aging Services Network at 1-800-551-3191 or a local Aging and Disability Resource Center. For Medicaid, SNAP, or LIHEAP, use ApplyMT or call 1-888-706-1535.
Can Montana Medicaid help with care at home?
Yes, for people who meet the program rules. Ask about Community First Choice Services, Personal Care Services, and the Big Sky Waiver. The Big Sky Waiver currently has a waiting list.
Do the new Medicaid rules affect every senior?
No. Montana’s July 2026 changes mainly affect adults in Medicaid Expansion. Some people ages 19 through 64 must meet community-engagement rules unless an exclusion or exception applies. Read your DPHHS notice and call 1-888-706-1535 if you are unsure.
Where can I borrow medical equipment?
MonTECH offers assistive-technology and adaptive-equipment loans. You can also ask your Area Agency on Aging or Center for Independent Living about local reuse programs and loan closets.
Who handles disability rights problems?
Disability Rights Montana handles disability-related rights issues and referrals. Its toll-free number is 1-800-245-4743. Montana Legal Services may also help eligible people with civil legal problems.
Who handles abuse or neglect reports?
Call 911 if danger is immediate. If the concern is not life-threatening, contact Montana Adult Protective Services at 1-844-277-9300 or use the state’s online reporting route.
About This Guide
Sources: This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources linked in the article.
Editorial note
This guide is produced under the GFS Editorial Standards using official and other high-trust sources. GFS is not affiliated with a government agency and is not a substitute for official agency guidance. Individual eligibility outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Corrections
Despite careful verification, errors may occur. Readers may email info@grantsforseniors.org with corrections.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, medical, tax, disability-rights, immigration, or government-agency advice. Program rules, policies, funding, and availability can change. Readers should confirm current details directly with the responsible official program before acting.
Last updated: 26 September 2026 · Next review: 26 January 2027
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