Idaho Community Action Agencies — What They Do and How to Find Yours
If you're looking for emergency help with heating bills, early childhood education, food assistance, or other basic needs, a community action agency may be your first call. Idaho has several of them — one for each region of the state — and between them they cover all 44 counties. Each is independently run, locally governed, and funded through a mix of federal and state dollars. What that means is that the programs available to you depend on which agency serves your county and what that agency has chosen to prioritize.
The community agencies and their service areas are listed further down this page, cross-referenced against each agency's current website. The goal of the organizations it to help stabilize the client’s current situation while helping them achieve long-term financial stability.
What Idaho community action agencies generally do
The programs below are common across much of Idaho's CAA network, but not every agency runs every one of them. When you call, ask specifically what your local agency offers directly and what they can refer you to elsewhere.
LIHEAP — home heating and energy assistance
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps qualifying low-income households pay heating costs, with payments going directly to your energy provider rather than to you. Most Idaho agencies run two tracks: regular annual assistance based on household size and income, and crisis assistance for households already facing disconnection or shutoff. LIHEAP in Idaho typically runs from November 1 through March 31 — and closes when funds run out, sometimes before the season ends. Call your local agency to ask whether the program is currently accepting applications and what documents you'll need to bring. Also see the NHPB guide to Idaho LIHEAP.
Weatherization
The Weatherization Assistance Program helps income-eligible households reduce heating and cooling costs through energy efficiency improvements at no cost to the homeowner or renter. A certified energy auditor assesses the home first, then a crew can install insulation, weatherstripping, storm windows, and furnace improvements based on what the audit identifies. Priority typically goes to elderly residents, households with someone disabled, and families with young children. Some Idaho agencies run weatherization directly; others handle LIHEAP intake and refer weatherization to a neighboring agency.
Head Start and Migrant & Seasonal Head Start
Several Idaho agencies administer Head Start programs serving children from birth through age five. Early Head Start covers infants; Head Start covers ages three to five. Both are federally funded, free to qualifying families, and include early education, health screenings, meals, and parent support. Separately, the Community Council of Idaho runs Migrant and Seasonal Head Start specifically for farmworker families — a federally distinct program with its own eligibility criteria tied to agricultural employment.
Food assistance
Most agencies operate food pantries or distribute USDA commodity food boxes to qualifying households. Some coordinate summer food programs for children during school breaks. Distribution locations, hours, and available items vary — call ahead to ask what's available and whether an appointment is required.
Case management and referrals
Every Idaho CAA offers some form of case management — meeting with a family to assess their situation, connect them to programs they may qualify for (including federal benefits like SNAP and Medicaid), and provide referrals to community resources beyond what the agency can offer directly. For many people, this is the most practically useful thing a local CAA does.
Senior services
Several Idaho agencies provide services for residents over 60, including Meals on Wheels, congregate meals, transportation assistance, and caregiver support. EICAP in eastern Idaho has one of the more extensive senior housing portfolios in the state. Ask your local agency what senior programs they run versus which they coordinate through Area Agency on Aging partnerships - our see our page about senior assistance programs in Idaho for additional resources.
Homeless and housing assistance
Most agencies can provide some form of emergency housing assistance — assessment, shelter referrals, help with documentation needed to secure employment or housing, and in some cases limited financial assistance for deposits or first month's rent. SCCAP in the Magic Valley serves as the Region 4 Access Point for coordinated homeless intake. SEICAA in Pocatello operates Freedom LZ, an emergency housing facility specifically for veterans at risk of homelessness.
Employment and workforce programs
Employment counseling, GED preparation, and job training referrals are available through most agencies. The Community Council of Idaho focuses specifically on agricultural employment and workforce development for farmworkers, including the National Farmworker Jobs Program (NFJP).
A note on the Community Council of Idaho
CCI is one of Idaho's seven CSBG-funded agencies, but it operates differently from the others. Rather than serving a geographic region, it serves a specific population — migrant and seasonal agricultural workers and their families — statewide. It is the largest nonprofit serving Latinos in Idaho, with 11 Migrant and Seasonal Head Start centers concentrated in southern Idaho's farming communities.
In addition they have community health clinics, immigration legal services through its Familias Unidas program, agricultural employment programs, LIHEAP, affordable housing, and a food bank. If your household's primary income comes from farm work, CCI is a critical resource regardless of which county you live in.
What to expect when you call
Intake processes differ by agency and by program. For most programs you'll need proof of identity, proof of Idaho residency, and documentation of household income for everyone in the household. For LIHEAP specifically, bring your most recent heating bill (name, account number, and address). Some programs require scheduled appointments; others take walk-ins for certain services. CAP in northern Idaho notes that its offices are open Monday through Thursday, with Fridays by appointment only. SCCAP and WICAP offices are closed Fridays. Call ahead before making a trip.
Locations of Idaho community action agencies
Apply at or contact the agency that covers your county - listed below. In addition to the list below, another way to find your local agency is to call 211. Tthe Idaho Department of Health and Welfare lists agencies and their county coverage at https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/ — search "Community Services Block Grant" to find the agency directory.
Community Action Partnership (CAP)
Central office: 124 New 6th Street, Lewiston, ID 83501. Phone: (208) 746-3351 | Toll-free: (800) 326-4843 | Web: https://www.cap4action.org/
Counties: Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lewis, Nez Perce, Shoshone (plus Asotin County, Washington)
CAP serves Idaho's ten northernmost counties and uniquely extends its service area across the state line into Asotin County, WA — the only community action agency in the country with official dual-state coverage. Branch offices operate in Coeur d'Alene, St. Maries, Bonners Ferry, Grangeville, and Kellogg; the central office and Area Agency on Aging for Area II are both in Lewiston.
- Programs include LIHEAP, weatherization, food assistance, senior services, and homeless support. Call ahead — offices are generally open Monday through Thursday, with Fridays by appointment. See the Community Action Agency in Lewiston page.
Community Council of Idaho (CCI)
317 Happy Day Blvd., Ste. 250, Caldwell, ID 83607. Phone: (208) 454-1652 | Web: https://communitycouncilofidaho.org/.
Service area: Statewide, with primary concentration in southern Idaho agricultural communities
CCI is Idaho's largest nonprofit serving Latinos, founded in 1971 and now operating across multiple southern Idaho counties.
- Its programs are designed around the realities of agricultural work: Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (11 centers in farming communities including Caldwell, Burley, Mountain Home, and Weiser), agricultural workforce training, the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) for farmworkers, community health clinics operating on a sliding fee scale, immigration legal services (Familias Unidas), LIHEAP, food bank access, and affordable housing. If your household earns income through farm, dairy, or agricultural processing work, contact CCI directly — their programs run parallel to, not in place of, your regional CAA.
Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership (EICAP)
935 E Lincoln Rd, Idaho Falls, ID 83401. Phone: (208) 522-5391 | Toll-free: (800) 632-4813 | Web: eicap.org
Counties: Bonneville, Bingham, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison (and possibly Butte, Clark, Teton — verify directly)
- EICAP is among the more comprehensive agencies in the state, running Head Start schools at multiple sites across its service area, weatherization, LIHEAP, senior services (including caregiver support and in-home services). It has one of Idaho's larger nonprofit senior and family housing portfolios — more than 300 units across eight properties. Satellite offices and outreach locations operate in Rexburg, Blackfoot, St. Anthony, Roberts, and Salmon.
El-Ada Community Action Partnership
Administrative office: 701 E 44th St, Suite 1, Garden City, ID 83714. Phone: (208) 377-0700 | Web: https://www.eladacap.org/. Energy assistance line: (208) 322-1242
Counties: Ada, Elmore, Owyhee
El-Ada serves southwest Idaho from its Garden City administrative office, with satellite locations in Mountain Home (Elmore County) and Homedale (Owyhee County). Programs include LIHEAP, crisis energy assistance, weatherization, a food pantry distributing food boxes and USDA commodities.
- There are also veteran services through SSVF and VAGPD (housing stability support for veteran families), community health support including HIV/HCV testing and smoking cessation, and general community services with referrals. Office hours for most locations run Monday through Thursday. See the NHPB guide to EL-ADA Community Action Partnership.
South Central Community Action Partnership (SCCAP)
There are two offices. They include the following. The website is https://www.sccap-id.org/. Counties: Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Twin Falls
- Twin Falls: 550 Washington Street South, Twin Falls, ID 83303. Phone: (208) 733-9351 | Toll-free: (800) 627-1733
- Burley: 314 East 5th Street, Burley, ID 83318 | Phone: (208) 678-3514.
SCCAP covers the Magic Valley region from two offices and serves as the Region 4 Access Point for coordinated homeless assistance intake across all eight counties. Programs include LIHEAP, weatherization, food assistance, homeless support, family development services, and a self-help housing program that has helped more than 100 families build their own homes through a group construction model. Note: SCCAP offices are generally closed Fridays — call Monday through Thursday.
Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency (SEICAA)
Bannock County (main): 825 E. Bridger, Pocatello, ID 83201. Phone: (208) 232-1114 | Web: https://seicaa.org/
Additional offices: Montpelier (Bear Lake), Blackfoot (Bingham), Soda Springs (Caribou), American Falls (Power), Pocatello (housing programs)
Counties: Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, Power
SEICAA covers seven counties across southeast Idaho, with local offices in each to minimize travel for rural residents. In addition to LIHEAP and weatherization, SEICAA administers a Working Closet with clothing for job-seekers, food assistance, case management, and Freedom LZ, an emergency housing facility for veterans at or near homelessness. Franklin and Oneida county residents can be assisted remotely by the Bannock County office — call (208) 232-1114. See the NHPB community action program Southeastern Idaho page.
Western Idaho Community Action Partnership (WICAP)
Main office: 315 S Main St, Payette, ID 83661. Phone: (208) 642-9086 | Web: https://www.wicap.org/
Community Action Centers: Adams County (Council), Canyon County (Caldwell), Gem County (Emmett), Washington County (Weiser), plus the main Payette office
Counties: Adams, Boise, Canyon, Gem, Payette, Valley, Washington
WICAP serves western Idaho from Payette with a network of community action centers reaching into the canyon and valley communities to the north and east. Programs include Head Start, LIHEAP, TEFAP food distribution, senior services, and CSBG case management. WICAP is notably active in Payette County health and housing initiatives. Call the main office or your nearest community action center; staff can direct you to the right intake point for the program you need.
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