Financial assistance for low-income, older, and disabled homeowners and renters
27 programs listed · 25 verified against the program's own website
If you own or rent a home in Montana and you are living on a low income, are an older adult, or have a disability, this page lists the help available to you. Verified July 25, 2026.
Two phone numbers will get you most of the way. The first is 800-551-3191, the statewide line that routes you to one of Montana’s 10 Area Agencies on Aging. It is the front door for Medicare counseling, options counseling, and referrals if you are 60 or older or have a disability, and staff there will also help you fill out an energy assistance application. The second is the Montana Department of Revenue at 406-444-6900, which handles every property tax program on this page. Montana has no single statewide number for energy and weatherization help; instead, 12 district offices, most of them Human Resource Development Councils or Community Action Agencies, cover all 56 counties, and you call the one for your district. Find yours at dphhs.mt.gov/hcsd/energyassistance.
If you are thinking about sharing your home: the property tax programs split cleanly in two. The homestead reduced rate and the statewide right to build an accessory dwelling unit have no income test at all, so another adult moving in changes nothing. The Montana Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit is the opposite: it is capped at a total household income under $45,000, so a second adult’s income is counted and can push you over the line. The Property Tax Assistance Program, the disabled veteran program, and the land value program key off your federal adjusted gross income and filing status, so the effect depends on your relationship to the person you share your home with and how each of you files. Energy assistance, weatherization, the utility discounts that flow from it, and the Housing Choice Voucher all verify the income of everyone living in the home, so those will be affected. Medicare counseling and the assistive technology lending library have no income test at all. Where a program does not spell out how it treats another adult, we say so below, and it is worth confirming with the program before anyone moves in.
Everything below, in one file you can print or take to an appointment.
Home modification and aging in place
Big Sky Waiver (Environmental Adaptations)
stateOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Senior and Long Term Care Division
What you get
Covered home and community based waiver services including Environmental Adaptations (accessibility changes to the home) for participants who would otherwise need nursing facility care; no fixed dollar cap published on the program page as of 2026
Who qualifies
no age minimum; serves older adults and adults with physical disabilities
Income limit
Must be financially eligible for Montana Medicaid under institutional (waiver) rules; no separate published dollar figure
How to apply
Call Mountain Pacific Quality Health at 1-800-219-7035 for a waiver referral and screening, and contact your county Office of Public Assistance to establish Medicaid eligibility. A waiting list currently applies
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
Community First Choice Services and Personal Care Services (CFCS/PCS)
stateOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Senior and Long Term Care Division
What you get
In-home personal assistance, personal emergency response systems, and yard hazard removal to provide safe access and entry to the home; agency-based or self-directed (2026)
Who qualifies
no age minimum; serves older adults and people with disabilities
Income limit
Must be eligible for Montana Medicaid; Community First Choice additionally requires nursing home level of care
How to apply
Ask for a screening through the Senior and Long Term Care Division; you must have a health condition that limits daily activities and be Medicaid eligible
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
MonTECH assistive technology loans, demonstrations, and reuse exchange
nonprofitOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
MonTECH, Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities, University of Montana
What you get
Free 30, 90, or 180 day loans of assistive and adaptive equipment with free shipping statewide, free device demonstrations, a free reuse and exchange listing service, and a funding guide plus a financing partnership for home and vehicle modifications (2026)
Who qualifies
any age
Income limit
None; no income test
How to apply
Call the Missoula office at 406-243-5511 extension 2, email montech@mso.umt.edu, or book an appointment online; the Billings office is 406-657-2089
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Montana Area Agencies on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Centers
stateOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Aging Services Bureau, through 10 Area Agencies on Aging
What you get
Free information, options counseling, and referral to home modification, waiver, and aging in place resources under the Older Americans Act (2026)
Who qualifies
60 or older, and adults with disabilities
Income limit
None for information and referral
How to apply
Call the statewide line at 800-551-3191 during business hours to be routed to your local agency, or search the resource directory at montana.my-adrc.org
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
USDA Section 504 Single Family Housing Repair Loans and Grants
federal-in-stateHomeownersNot confirmed
We could not open this program's own website to
check these details, so they may be out of date or incomplete. Please call
or visit the program before relying on anything here.
Type of help
loan and grant
Who runs it
USDA Rural Development, Montana state office
Who qualifies
62 or older required for the grant; the loan has no age minimum
Income limit
Very low income, set by county
How to apply
Contact the USDA Rural Development Montana state office; rural properties only. Federal program rules are described once in the national summary
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Community Development Block Grant Housing Stabilization Program (HSP)
stateHomeowners
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
Montana Department of Commerce, Community Development Block Grant program
What you get
Rehabilitation of owner-occupied homes with critical health and safety deficiencies; no maximum grant amount, allocated by level of need and project scope, capped by the area median home price or the post-repair appraised value (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Household income below 80% of area median income (2026)
How to apply
You do not apply to the state directly. Ask your city, town, or county government, which applies to the Department of Commerce on residents' behalf
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
The Montana Housing program list covers home loans, down payment assistance, the Homeowner Assistance Fund, reverse annuity mortgages, rental assistance, HOME, the Housing Trust Fund, and Community Development Block Grant housing. None of these is a direct to homeowner repair grant. The HOME program funds rental development and homebuyer assistance and is applied for by nonprofits and local governments, not by homeowners.
Weatherization and energy efficiency
Montana Weatherization Assistance Program
stateOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Human and Community Services Division, delivered by 12 district eligibility offices
What you get
No cost work to make the home more heat efficient and reduce energy use; applications accepted year round (2025-2026 program year)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
2025-2026 upper limit for a household of four is $64,300; limits scale with household size. Non-business resource limit for a household of four is $24,896
How to apply
Use the combined LIEAP and Weatherization application, print it, and deliver or mail it to your local eligibility office. Weatherization is open all year, unlike heating assistance
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
District eligibility offices: Human Resource Development Councils and Community Action Agencies
nonprofitOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
12 district offices under contract to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
What you get
Intake, eligibility screening, and delivery of weatherization work and energy assistance across all 56 Montana counties (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Same limits as the state weatherization and heating assistance programs
How to apply
Find your district office and call its own toll free line. There is no single statewide intake number; districts 4, 6, 7, and 9 are Human Resource Development Councils, districts 1, 5, 8, 10, and 12 are Community Action Agencies, and district 11 is a Human Resources Council
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Tribal energy assistance and weatherization offices
nonprofitOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Seven Montana Tribal LIHEAP offices
What you get
Tribally run heating assistance and weatherization for enrolled members and direct descendants living on reservation (2025-2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Set by each Tribal program
How to apply
If you are Native American and live on a reservation other than the Crow Reservation, contact your Tribal energy assistance office rather than the state district office. Native American household members living on the Crow Reservation apply through District VII Human Resource Development Council in Billings
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
Montana Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
federal-in-stateOwners or renters
Type of help
grant
Who runs it
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Human and Community Services Division, delivered by 12 district eligibility offices
What you get
Pays part of winter energy bills. Single family home benefits ran roughly $462 to $3,362 for the 2025-2026 season depending on heating fuel and number of bedrooms; amounts also vary by dwelling type
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
2025-2026 upper limit for a household of four is $64,846; limits scale with household size. Non-business resource limit for a household of four is $24,896
How to apply
Complete the combined LIEAP and Weatherization application and return it to your district eligibility office. The heating season runs October 1 through April 30, and applications were not accepted after April 30, 2026
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Energy Share of Montana (statewide independent nonprofit)
What you get
One time emergency help with a home energy emergency, most often a heating bill and occasionally heating equipment repair or another special energy need; serves roughly 2,500 to 3,000 Montana families a year
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Not published on the organization's site; eligibility is screened by the local Human Resource Development Council
How to apply
Get and submit the application through your local Human Resource Development Council. Do not mail or fax it to the Helena office
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
Montana-Dakota Utilities low income discount (Universal System Benefits)
utilityOwners or renters
Type of help
discount
Who runs it
Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.
What you get
Up to 30 percent off the utility bill for customers who qualify for LIEAP, funded through the Universal System Benefits program (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Whatever qualifies you for LIEAP that program year
How to apply
Qualify for LIEAP through your local eligibility office or Tribal LIEAP office; the discount follows from that. Call Montana-Dakota at 800-638-3278 for a referral
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
NorthWestern Energy bill assistance and income qualified discount
utilityOwners or renters
Type of help
discount
Who runs it
NorthWestern Energy
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
Tied to LIEAP eligibility
How to apply
Apply for LIEAP through your district eligibility office. Call NorthWestern Energy at 888-467-2669 to ask about payment arrangements, due date extensions, and the current discount
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Tiered 2026 rates on a principal residence: 0.76% on the first $378,000 of value, 0.90% from $378,001 to $756,000, 1.10% from $756,001 to $1,511,999, and 1.90% above $1,512,000
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
None; not income tested
How to apply
Enroll through the Department of Revenue online portal. The 2027 tax year enrollment window opened May 4, 2026 and closes March 1, 2027. You can check whether your property is already enrolled at svc.mt.gov/dor/OrionDataPortal/HomesteadExemption.aspx
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Reduces the tax rate on your primary residence by 80%, 50%, or 30% depending on income and filing status (tax year 2026)
Who qualifies
no age minimum
Income limit
Tax year 2026, based on 2024 federal adjusted gross income. Single: $0 to $14,286 for the 80% reduction, $14,287 to $19,532 for 50%, $19,533 to $29,037 for 30%. Married or head of household: $0 to $19,249 for 80%, $19,250 to $29,085 for 50%, $29,086 to $38,917 for 30%
How to apply
File Form PTAP with the Department of Revenue, online or on paper, by April 15
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
Reduces the property tax rate on the primary residence by 50% to 100% depending on income and marital status (tax year 2026)
Who qualifies
no age minimum
Income limit
Tax year 2026. Single: $0 to $48,152 for 100%, $48,153 to $52,968 for 80%, $52,969 to $57,781 for 70%, $57,782 to $62,598 for 50%. Married or head of household: $0 to $57,781 for 100%, $57,782 to $72,229 for 50% to 80%. Unmarried surviving spouse: $0 to $40,127 for 100%, $40,128 to $54,573 for 50% to 80%
How to apply
File the MDV application with the Department of Revenue, online or on paper, by April 15. Include a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs showing a current 100% service connected disability rating
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
Up to $1,150 a year, paid as a refund even if you owe no Montana income tax
Who qualifies
62 or older as of December 31
Income limit
Total household income less than $45,000
How to apply
File the Montana Individual Income Tax Return (Form 2) with Schedule 2EC through the TransAction Portal at no cost, even if you are not otherwise required to file
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
Land Value Property Tax Assistance Program (LVPTAP)
stateHomeowners
Type of help
reduction
Who runs it
Montana Department of Revenue
What you get
Reduces the taxable value of land whose value has far outgrown the home standing on it; valuation adjustment applies to the land portion (2026)
Who qualifies
no age minimum
Income limit
No income limit stated on the program page
How to apply
File the Land Value Property Tax Assistance for Residential Property Application with the Department of Revenue within 30 days of your property classification notice. The extended deadline for the 2025 tax year was March 1, 2026, with the adjustment then applying to 2026 only
If you share your home:
this program does not clearly say how it treats another adult in the home. Confirm with the program before anyone moves in.
Montana State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
stateOwners or renters
Type of help
service
Who runs it
Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, Senior and Long Term Care Division, delivered through Area Agencies on Aging
What you get
Free, independent, confidential Medicare counseling: eligibility and enrollment, Part D prescription drug plans, Medigap supplemental policies, Medicare Advantage comparisons, fraud prevention, and long term care options (2026)
Who qualifies
Medicare beneficiaries, typically 65 or older, and younger people with disabilities on Medicare
Income limit
None
How to apply
Call 1-800-551-3191. Counselors can meet you at home if transportation or mobility is a problem
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
The Commissioner of Securities and Insurance consumer insurance pages describe complaints, fraud reporting, insurance basics, a life insurance policy locator, and coverage education, but name no FAIR plan or residual market. The office does urge homeowners to review flood and wildfire coverage. No consumer help phone number was displayed on the pages read, so the phone field was left empty rather than guessed.
The state insurance office pages describe consumer advocacy and complaint handling, not premium subsidy.
HomeShare-relevant extras
Statewide right to build an accessory dwelling unit (MCA 76-2-345)
stateHomeowners
Type of help
by-right zoning permission
Who runs it
Montana municipalities under state law; enforced through local zoning
What you get
Every Montana municipality with zoning must allow at least one accessory dwelling unit by right on a lot containing a single family home. A detached or attached unit may not exceed 75% of the gross floor area of the main home or 1,000 square feet, whichever is less. Application fee capped at $250
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
None
How to apply
Apply for a permit through your city or town planning office. The unit may be attached, detached, or built inside the existing house
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
The same tiered reduced rates that apply to a homestead, extended to residential property rented long term (2026 and after)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
None; not income tested
How to apply
Enroll through the Department of Revenue online portal alongside the homestead enrollment; the 2027 tax year window opened May 4, 2026 and closes March 1, 2027
If you share your home:
this program does not count a home seeker's income, so sharing your home does not affect it.
Montana Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
stateRenters
Type of help
voucher
Who runs it
Montana Department of Commerce, Housing Division, with nonprofit field agencies
What you get
Rental subsidy; the household pays roughly 30% of adjusted gross monthly income toward rent and utilities, subject to payment standards (2026)
Who qualifies
no age limit
Income limit
HUD income limits, which vary by county and are updated annually
How to apply
Find your region on the state's interactive map, then apply online through the waitlistcheck.com link for that region. Montana is divided into 10 voucher regions plus 3 moderate rehabilitation areas
If you share your home:
a home seeker's income counts toward this program's income test, so it can change what you qualify for.
We did not identify a program in this category. That does not always mean none exists, so it is worth asking your city or county.
Programs that work the same in every state
Some of the biggest sources of help are federal and work much the same everywhere, including USDA Section 504 home repair, LIHEAP energy assistance, the Weatherization Assistance Program, and VA housing grants. They are described once, in detail, on our federal programs page, and the entries above give you the Montana contacts.
One more option
Sharing your home is not on this list, but it belongs beside it.
Every program here helps you afford the home you have. Home sharing does something different: it turns a spare room into steady income and company. It is worth considering before you sell, before you move, and before things get harder to manage alone.