Jonah JacobsTemporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
A small safety net could come in handy if you’re having trouble supporting yourself and your children. One form of financial assistance that fits that bill is TANF, which offers a bit of money along with work opportunities so you can dig yourself out of a hole.
TANF is split up into two types of grants. The first is the child-only grant, which considers just the child’s needs and could amount to around $8 in assistance per day. The second is the family grant, which goes beyond the child’s needs to help pay for shelter, clothing, food, etc.
What does it take to qualify for TANF as a single mom? That varies, but you could be eligible if you have kids under 19 and you are unemployed. Don’t look at TANF as a long-term deal, though, as it usually caps out at 60 months.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Chances are, nutrition is one of your top worries as a single mom, especially if you have very young children. With WIC, you can receive healthy food if you are pregnant or have kids under the age of five. By getting funds to buy baby food, infant formula, eggs, fruit, milk, etc., that’s one less thing you’ll have to worry about.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
While WIC caters more towards single moms who are pregnant or have very young children, SNAP (aka food stamps) can help put food on the table if you have older kids. If you qualify, you’ll receive an EBT card that you can use at grocery stores to buy nutritional necessities.
Early Head Start and Head Start
Do you have children younger than five years old? If so, the Early Head Start or Head Start programs could ensure that they’re ready for school by helping you with services such as:
- Parental involvement
- Nutrition
- Education
- Medical and dental care
These programs can keep your children from falling behind by preparing them for school, and you may qualify if one of the following applies to your situation:
- You have children in foster care.
- You are homeless.
- You currently receive public assistance.
- You are pregnant.
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
It can be impossible to fix your finances and find a job if you cannot afford to pay someone to take care of your children. With CCAP, however, you can get help paying for child care while you attend school or training, look for a job, or work.
To qualify for this extremely helpful program, you will need to meet specific income requirements. You can find out more about CCAP near you by searching for the program in your state online.
Medicaid
When you’re a single mother, you need to be healthy so you can be there for your kids. If a health issue arises and you cannot pay for medical care, achieving that goal can be impossible. That’s why qualifying for Medicaid is a must, as it can help you receive medical care, even if you are not employed.
