Financial Support for Single Moms

Did you know single mothers still make up 80% of single parent homes in the US? Unfortunately the majority of these women also live in or at the poverty level. If you are a single mother in need of financial assistance, this article is for you. There is no need to struggle without help when there are many programs for almost any situation to ensure you and your children do not go without basic necessities.

Below are assistance programs for immediate needs followed by additional important assistance programs.

Housing
The first and most important issue for single mothers in financial aid is securing appropriate housing. Shelter is the most basic and needed item for a family. Secure your family through the following programs in your area. First there is the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) a federal agency that provides rental assistance programs for any single mother that has an income below a certain poverty line. This federal program also helps in paying utility bills and other housing costs including damage deposits. Also, every State has a program for low-income families for subsidized apartments known as Rental Assistance programs. If you do not qualify for HUD or State subsidy housing programs you could search Social Serve online housing database of affordable housing.

If you own your home and are having difficulties making payments there is a HUD program that also reduces your mortgage payments during times of unemployment or under the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) if you are underemployed or still having payment difficulties. Visit the HUD website to find these programs.

 
Food
The second major necessity of course is providing nutrition for your children on severely reduced budgets. Single mothers that need financial aid for nutrition have a number of options from the Federal, State and local governments in addition to charitable organizations.

First and foremost there is the Food Stamps program, now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This program has certain eligibility requirements, but once met you will be given a debit card that will be loaded weekly with food stamp buying benefits at your local grocery store. Certain items cannot be purchased with the card. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is another program that provides food for needy families, directly to school aged children in schools, either free or at a maximum of 40 cents per meal.

Nonprofits such as Angel Food Ministries also offer low cost grocery options to families. They provide food in over 40 states with local distribution centers. Their food boxes provide groceries at a large discount; there is no application or limit on the number of boxes you can purchase.

Other Needs
There are also a number of programs by charities in your area, the Federal, State and local governments that all aid in other ways. There are many education grant programs including the Federal Pell Grant and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. There are also programs to help pay for high energy bills during the winter or summer months and for daycare programs while you are at work.

Below is a list of additional resource:

Child Support Programs:

Child & Dependent Care Credit Program – This allows single mothers the ability to reduce their taxable income by submitting the care costs of the child or dependent to the federal tax office. To learn more about this program visit here.

Office of Child Care – This is a government department that provides low income families access to high quality afterschool programs. It’s to help fund and find child care programs around irregular schedules. Learn more here.

Child Care Aware – Is another resource to help single mothers with finding affordable, quality child care within their location. There network of agencies stretches across the country with over 600 partners. Go to http://childcareaware.org/ for more info.

Transportation Programs:

Single Mom Transportation Grants – Different states have grants which can help single mothers either receive free vehicles or heavily discounted vehicles. The type of assistance received depends on the grant and state.

Freecharitycars.org - This is a charity which also assists single parents with acquiring a vehicle when they can’t afford one - It a great program which helps numerous needy families throughout the country.

Community Action Agencies – Check with your local CAA as they may be able to assist with applying for grants and also assist with discounted or free bus tickets.

Education Programs:

Pell Grant – This is one of Americas most popular educational assistance programs. This is a Federal program which helps thousands of Americans get into school without taking on a loan and assisting those who otherwise could not afford to go to university. The amount you can receive depends on your financial situation, your study status. Learn more here.

Federal Work-Study Programs – This is a program that provides part-time jobs for students while they study. The program spends over $150 billion each year and assists over 13 million students - For more information visit https://studentaid.ed.gov/about.

For additional state specific assistance will bills and other financial commitments, please visit our homepage and click your state within our interactive map.

Low Income Financial Help receives a large number of questions in regards to single parent loans or single mother loans. While we haven’t found any one lender that specializes in single parent or single mother loans, we have found potential low income loans that are great alternatives to high interest pay day type of loans.