Being a single mother especially in today’s era can be extremely overwhelming. If you are one of those mothers who is doing it alone every day you know what I am talking about. It seems like the bills just continue to pile up and never end.

Researchers have said that just in 2015 year ending alone over 80 percent of the households in America that we’re single households we’re in fact ran by a FEMALE head of household which we’re mostly living very poor.

Many people may say well there is government assistance for them to get a grant but it’s hard to find and information regarding that said topic anywhere. So in hopes to help the single mothers out in the world this article will give you some insight on the different assistance topics we can cover including where and how to get a grant or scholarship. Also, you will read and see how simple it is to receive help with income expenses and medical insurance.

Are there really grants for a single mother?

Of course they do but these grants are not only for single mothers. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t help for a mother to receive one. I know its mind boggling that the government hasn’t had any means created for money for a single mother that is actually in the shape of a grant. One thing the government does for a single mother is they assist them through a group or have set sponsors through a company, and sometimes they are covered by the actual income assistance completely.

Below are a few websites that will redirect you to free items that you can get just for registering on the website.

Low Income Assistance for Single Mothers / Government Grants

As I said there is not an official grant for a single mother available that is FEDERAL. However a single mother can go through federal programs and register and sign up for them. Those kinds of programs are usually for households with low income. Which means you would also qualify for Welfare. No matter what the case these are programs to help those who make below the limit and live poorly.

Below are different types of assistance based in the United States.

TANF – TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES

TANF is a crucial for many low income families located within the US.

With TANF you receive a small amount of cash every month that you can use toward your food, rent, and other necessities. However you only receive TANF for up to 60 month limit.

If you are a single mother and you have children in your home who are less than 19 years old you are eligible for TANF.

SNAP – SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Food-stamps or SNAP as other people may refer to is financial help for meals. You can receive money every month to place food on the table if you are on low or no income.

For most of Americans living in poverty SNAP is potentially the only assistance they can get.

Research has shown that in 2015 SNAP benefits have helped at least 45 million Americans. Most of the ones who receive the stamps are under are up to the age of 18.

When you go to use your benefits for SNAP you have your own personal debit card to ring your groceries up with at the register. If you are interested in trying to get on with SNAP benefits all you have to do is fill and application out and send it in or take it into a local office that deals with SNAP benefits.

NSLP – NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM

This is a program that gives free (or discounted) food to students whose parent’s income is bellow a poverty level. The income needs to be at least between 130-185 percent bellow the poverty line.

Most the time if a person is a receiver of SNAP benefits their children will be accepted into this program for free lunches. But, that doesn’t mean if you don’t have or receive SNAP that your children are disqualified.

You need to contact your child’s school to apply.

TEFAP – THE EMERGENCY FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Food for the American families who are in the poverty range not matter what the age.

If you have received food stamps before or any other program assisting you and helping you such as the ones in this article you could also be approved for this program.

You will need to contact your State distribution agency to learn more about the Emergency food assistance program.

Local Food Banks

A food bank doesn’t exactly fit into the whole “Grant” program area as it is actually a location in your town where you can get food if you are in need.

Do not allow you or your family to go without food. If you ever reach that trouble you can call 211 and ask them where the nearest food bank is based on your location.

More then 200 food banks exist with the feeding america foundation and they supply enough food to feed over 40 million people.

WIC – WOMEN, INFANTS AND CHILDREN PROGRAM

This program includes a package deal where you as a mother are able to receive healthy foods, whether you are pregnant or a new mother, and also to children who are 5 or under.

WIC is a program that is temporary and only used for a short amount of time – usually between 6 to 12 months.

EARLY HEAD START / HEAD START

These programs are for children up to 5 years old.

You can receive free child’s medical and dental care along with their schooling, and dietary needs.

Find your closes headstart office on their website or call at 1-866-763-6481.

Insurance for unemployment

This is a special program which will pay you weekly if you are unemployed and it had nothing to do with you for you being fired or let go. You will only be able to receive this benefit for maximum 26 weeks. Different states have different benefit rules. But most states will average out at about 45% of whatever the average weekly income is.

Single mothers who are out of a job temporarily can find solace with these benefits and can help make the burden less for themselves because this pay will restore what you have lost from losing your work.

If you want to try and get this started and opened for you, you will have to find your local unemployment office or apply on the website for this specific program. Most states will allow you to also try to sign up for this over the phone.

Section 8 housing

Section 8 is basically a program that helps a family be able to pay for their housing. If approved you will receive a voucher of up to 70 percent of your bills (utilities and rent). You are expected to pay the other 30 percent.

If you want to apply and feel you qualify you can get in touch with your local office involved with public housing, the HUD office.

CCAP – CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

This is a benefit for families who can’t afford to place their children in daycare while working.

You still have to pay a certain percentage but it isn’t a big lump of money. The less you earn, the less you need to contribute.

EITC – Earned Income Tax Credit

It is a tax benefit for people with low income. You could potentially get as much as $6,000.

If you normally have a tax rate of $1050 but you are allowed $5550 then you get refund of $4500.

There is a Children’s Tax Credit too for as much as $1,000 for EACH child.

LIHEAP – LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

LIHEAP is a program that is a one time help to help pay for heating / cooling expenses.

Most of the time this is for the disabled or families with children or disabled person in the home.

If you need any extra information regarding this topic you can get in touch through the number 1-866-674-6327 or a local number for your local LIHEAP office.

WAP – WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Weatherization assistance program lowers energy bills for families in need. Usually the elderly and families involving children are accepted and put to the top of the list before all.

Your monthly income need to be below 200 percent poverty level.

To apply, find a local WAP center.

Medicaid

Medicaid is help with medical expenses. If you do not have health insurance this gives you certain benefits as long as your income restriction meets the level it should.

A lot of single mothers may meet the standards to be recipients of Medicaid even if you are unemployed.

Every state has different rules about Medicaid plans. You can find out exact requirements on this website.

Together with ObamaCare it ensures that even single mothers who didn’t receive any health benefits will now be able to have coverage.

CHIP – CHILDREN HEALTH INSURANCE

CHIP gives children without health insurance a chance to have health benefits all the way up until they are nineteen. It is for families whose income is too high to receive Medicaid benefits.

It provides every type of benefit you can think of — dental, eye exams, and even annual doctor’s exams.

Every state has its own rules. If you would like to learn a little more about this specific benefit you can call 1-877 Kids now (1-877-543-7669)

Federal Pell Grants

Aid program for students of up to $5,815 for those in need to be able to set foot into college.

This is the best opportunity for a mother who is single to finally be able to finish her schooling and finally continue in the workforce. The money is completely free of charge with no interest rates or paybacks ever.

You need to fill out an application and submit it for a pell grant and have it turned in on or before June 30th of every year.

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant

Similar to the Pell Grant. If you already have had pell grants and you are at the top of the charts in need you will be first on the list to receive this. Depending on a persons needs that are wrapped in with their financial struggle will ultimately decide who will receive anywhere between $100 too $4,000 annually.

Charities

Charities can be a way to seek help for you and your children whether you are in need of food or clothing or even housing. A lot of charities around the world actually have their own food banks that they run and they will give you bags of free food.

If you go to salvation army a lot of the times they will let you sleep there if you have no where else to go especially if it is a result of violence.

Churches

Most churches will offer you food and clothes or maybe even a place to stay if you have been recently kicked out by the one you are living with.

To find information on this you should look through your phone books local listing or yellow page. You can also research online and see what churches are available to your area and call them and ask what services they do offer.

Loans

Single moms can receive loans usually relatively quickly but I would not recommended that at all. You could potentially go into debt and not be able to rise back from that.

Sometimes you have no choice because you have to fix your broken car or maybe pay for utilities and food and need the help right then. But you have to be able to pay that loan realistically quick.

Pay attention to your credit because if you try to get a loan through a bank or anyone they will check your credit score and see if it is even available to be able to place a loan out to you. If it is a loan that is for payday loans or credit card advances they will not run a check but you will end up paying more after fees and costs.

Line of Credit

If your credit is decent some people ask a bank for a loan personally. Most of the time this is a better idea then asking for a payday loan because if you need quick money with lower rates of interest this is it.

Personal Loans

On a personal loan interest is lower dramatically but you have to pay in instalments. It doesn’t really fit criteria for an emergency. Normally if you just tell them you do not have any more funds and that is why you need this they will turn you away. If your credit is poor you will not be able to even touch this offer.

Short term (payday) loans

This is a very popular type of loan. You may know it by the term “Cash advance.” The interest runs really high on these and it is a loan that is only for a small time frame.

This is a loan that would more then likely be considered if a problem arises and you needed to repair your car or had a disastrous dental emergency. You have to know for sure you will be able to give every penny back.

If you do not pay this type of loan back you could be in loads of trouble financially.

Credit card cash advance

Do you own a credit card? If so you will be able to get money from a bank as easy as 1, 2, 3. This is not a method that is highly praised though because as soon as you start taking money out of the bank the interest keeps rising and you also are charged for using and pulling out of the bank a fee. This is potentially the easier options if you do need cash asap but you have to pay it back and make sure you absolutely can.

When it is all said and done grants will not solve your money issues within your home if that is what you expect. To get a grant is definitely not easy it isn’t a walk in the park by any means.

If you are looking to get a more stable source of financially being stable you should probably look in areas around you or find a women shelter until you can get back up on your feet.

If you think you have all the time in the world you can apply for other areas of assistance such as Food stamps, HUD, and etc. They do take a lot of time and effort for someone to get back with you and let you know if you have been accepted and enrolled. Try finding a part time working job as a way to financially start becoming stable again.

The moral of this is you can not expect a grant to fall into your hands without effort and take all your worries away. They are only here too do one thing and that doesn’t usually fix anything with your financial setting.

This is all on you and what you decide, no one else can decide for you.