The AABD Program provides cash assistance for individuals who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled. Eligible individuals receive a certain amount of cash each month to help pay for everyday living expenses. The amount an individual receives is based their unique circumstances such as, living arrangements, income, and resources.

To get started applying for cash assistance, see our Apply for Assistance page. Submit completed applications to your local Health and Welfare office. You may use the office-finder to assist you in finding your local office. You may also go directly to your local office and apply there. At the office you'll have an opportunity to talk with someone about your household situation and your needs so that you can make an informed choice about any services you want to receive. If you choose to go to your local office, be sure to go prepared with documentation that we use to verify your income, expenses, resources, etc. Taking these documents with you will speed up the time it takes us to process your application for assistance.

In order to receive cash assistance, certain eligibility requirements must be met in areas such as income, resources, child support cooperation, and work preparation requirements. You may use the following eligibility guidelines to get an idea if you might be eligibile. A quick conversation with our staff will help you find out for certain whether you may be eligible to receive cash assistance.

AABD cash benefits are provided by the state of Idaho. The payment amount for a person living independently in the community is capped at $53.00 per month. The payment for a person living in a group or residential care facility is based on the living arrangement type and the cost.   

If you receive Medicare benefits, you may be eligible for help to pay your Medicare premiums, co-payments, and deductibles.

If anyone in your home is over 65, or blind, or disabled (including a child), they may qualify for health coverage benefits under Medicaid. Check out our Medicaid page for more information.

If you cannot find the information you're looking for, or you need information or forms in a different format than provided on our website, plese don't hesitate to contact your local Health and Welfare office.

Other federal cash assistance programs are also available for those who are aged, blind, and disabled. Two such programs are the Supplemental Security Income program and the Social Security Disability Insurance program managed by the Social Security Administration. Check out Social Security Online for more information about these programs. You may also contact your local Social Security office for more information.