Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in North Dakota. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.
Start here (works anywhere in North Dakota)
- 211 (dial 2-1-1), Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, BenefitsCheckUp.org, Medicare 1-800-633-4227, Social Security 1-800-772-1213, VA 1-800-827-1000, Alzheimer's 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900, National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311, Crisis Lifeline 988
Free Medicare counseling (North Dakota SHIP)
North Dakota's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is the State Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) program, run by the North Dakota Insurance Department. SHIC counselors provide free, unbiased help with Medicare: enrollment and eligibility, Part D drug-plan comparisons, Medigap (supplemental) insurance, Medicare Advantage, and applying for programs that lower Medicare costs.
SHIC statewide: 1-888-575-6611 (local 701-328-2440) TTY (Relay ND): 1-800-366-6888 Email: ndshic@nd.gov SHIC: insurance.nd.gov/shic-medicare
Medicaid in North Dakota
North Dakota Medicaid is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). For seniors it covers long-term nursing-facility care and home and community-based care through the Aged and Disabled (HCBS) Waiver, which helps residents who are 65 and older or disabled get care at home instead of a facility. Because the waiver is not an unlimited entitlement, a waitlist can form, so apply early.
How to apply: if you are aged, blind, or disabled and only want Medicaid, the Medicare Savings Programs, or basic-care-facility coverage, you can use the Health Care Application for the Elderly and Disabled (form SFN 958), apply online at hhs.nd.gov, or apply through your local human service zone office. For help, call the HHS Customer Support Center at 1-866-614-6005 (or 701-328-1000), 711 TTY. For Aged and Disabled Waiver questions, call the Aging and Disability Resource LINK at 1-855-462-5465. Be ready with Social Security and Medicare cards, income and bank records (long-term-care reviews can look back several years), property deeds, and insurance policies.
ND HHS, Apply for Medicaid: hhs.nd.gov/medicaid-medicaid-expansion-and-childrens-health-insurance-program-chip/apply-medicaid
Prescription help
North Dakota does not operate a broad State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP) for all seniors separate from Medicaid. Options available:
Medicare Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy): a federal program that substantially lowers Part D prescription drug costs for qualifying low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Apply through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov. BenefitsCheckUp.org: screens for pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs and other savings. SHIC counselors (1-888-575-6611) can help you check Extra Help and Medicare Savings Program eligibility at no charge.
Energy and utility help
North Dakota's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. It helps pay home heating costs and also covers weatherization (insulation, weather stripping, furnace cleaning, repair, or replacement, chimney inspection) and emergency help to prevent shutoffs and disconnects. The benefit does not have to be repaid. Both homeowners and renters can apply, but households in subsidized housing whose heat is already included in their rent are generally not eligible.
Application window: HHS accepts heating-season applications from October 1 through May 1. How to apply: online at hhs.nd.gov/applyforhelp, at your local human service zone office, or by mail. For help completing the application, call the partner agency Community Options toll-free at 1-800-823-2417, 711 TTY.
ND HHS, LIHEAP: hhs.nd.gov/applyforhelp/liheap
Property tax relief (North Dakota)
North Dakota offers senior property tax help through the Office of State Tax Commissioner and your local assessor or county director of tax equalization:
North Dakota Homestead Property Tax Credit: reduces property taxes for homeowners who are 65 or older (or permanently and totally disabled at any age). To qualify, your income, including your spouse's and any dependents' income, must not exceed $70,000 for the calendar year before the assessment date. There is no asset limit for homeowners. The size of the credit is based on your income. Apply with your local assessor or county director of tax equalization, due before March 31 of the assessment year. Renters who meet the age and income rules may instead qualify for the related Renter's Refund.
North Dakota Primary Residence Credit (separate program, not senior-specific): a statewide credit available to any North Dakota homeowner on their primary residence, with a new application period opening January 1, 2026. This is a distinct program from the senior Homestead Property Tax Credit, and a homeowner may look into both. Details and application are at the Tax Commissioner's site.
ND Office of State Tax Commissioner, Homestead Property Tax Credit and Renter's Refund: tax.nd.gov/homestead-property-tax-credit-and-renters-refund ND Primary Residence Credit: tax.nd.gov/prc
Food, in-home help, caregiver, transportation, and legal help
North Dakota's aging services are coordinated by the Department of Health and Human Services, Adults and Aging Services Division, and reached through the Aging and Disability Resource LINK.
Aging and Disability Resource LINK (ADRL): 1-855-462-5465 (Relay ND TTY 1-800-366-6888 or 711) Find services through the Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116
Services available through the network:
- Congregate meals at senior centers and home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels)
- In-home care, personal care, and homemaker services
- Family caregiver support
- Transportation assistance
- Long-term care ombudsman services for residents of care facilities
Legal aid: free civil legal help for older North Dakotans is available through Legal Services of North Dakota, including help for residents 60 and older. Reach legal help through the Aging and Disability Resource LINK at 1-855-462-5465 or the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
Frequently asked questions
What is North Dakota's SHIP program? North Dakota's SHIP is the State Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) program, run by the North Dakota Insurance Department. Trained counselors give free, unbiased Medicare help statewide, covering enrollment, drug-plan comparisons, Medigap, and cost-savings programs. Reach it at 1-888-575-6611 or at insurance.nd.gov/shic-medicare.
Does North Dakota offer property tax relief for seniors? Yes. The Homestead Property Tax Credit reduces property taxes for homeowners 65 and older (or permanently and totally disabled) whose income, including a spouse's and dependents', does not exceed $70,000 for the prior calendar year, with no asset limit for homeowners. Apply with your local assessor or county director of tax equalization before March 31. Renters who qualify may use the Renter's Refund instead. A separate statewide Primary Residence Credit (not senior-specific) opens a new application period January 1, 2026.
How do North Dakota seniors get help with heating bills? Through LIHEAP, run by Health and Human Services. It helps pay heating costs and covers weatherization and emergency shutoff help, and the benefit does not have to be repaid. Apply between October 1 and May 1 online at hhs.nd.gov/applyforhelp, at a human service zone office, or by mail, and call Community Options at 1-800-823-2417 for help.
How does a North Dakota senior apply for Medicaid? If you are aged, blind, or disabled and only want Medicaid, the Medicare Savings Programs, or basic-care-facility coverage, use the Health Care Application for the Elderly and Disabled (SFN 958), apply online at hhs.nd.gov, or go through your local human service zone office. Call the HHS Customer Support Center at 1-866-614-6005 for help, and call the Aging and Disability Resource LINK at 1-855-462-5465 about the Aged and Disabled Waiver, which can fund in-home care (a waitlist may apply).
Sources
- ND Insurance Department, Medicare / SHIC: https://www.insurance.nd.gov/shic-medicare (Verified June 14, 2026)
- SHIP National directory, North Dakota: https://www.shiphelp.org/ships/north-dakota/ (Verified June 14, 2026)
- ND HHS, Ways to Apply for Medicaid: https://hhs.nd.gov/medicaid-medicaid-expansion-and-childrens-health-insurance-program-chip/apply-medicaid (Verified June 14, 2026)
- ND HHS, LIHEAP: https://www.hhs.nd.gov/applyforhelp/liheap (Verified June 14, 2026)
- ND Office of State Tax Commissioner, Homestead Property Tax Credit and Renter's Refund: https://www.tax.nd.gov/homestead-property-tax-credit-and-renters-refund (Verified June 14, 2026)
- ND Office of State Tax Commissioner, Primary Residence Credit: https://www.tax.nd.gov/prc (Verified June 14, 2026)
Ryan Riggins, NC Real Estate License #361546, eXp Realty. Riggins Strategic Solutions is an education and media company, not a real estate sales business. This is not financial, tax, medical, or legal advice. Income limits, rates, and deadlines change annually, confirm with the program or a licensed professional before acting.