Are you a single mother struggling with financial difficulties? If so, you are not alone. There are many single mothers out there who are struggling to provide for themselves and their children on a low income. In fact, many of them also have no income. However, you should not worry. Fortunately, there are various government help for single mothers with low or no income that can help you pay for things like childcare, food, and housing needs. So, what are these government helps? Let us explore the information on this page.
Cash Assistance for Single Mothers
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Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
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The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offers single mothers with low income the temporary cash. This assistance helps single mothers meet their basic needs such as food, utilities, and shelter.
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Guaranteed Income (Or Universal Basic Income)
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Universal Basic Income (UBI) is an effective assistance to reduce poverty and improve the overall quality of society. Through this assistance, single mothers or eligible low-income individuals will be given a certain amount of cash every month to fulfill their daily needs.
If you want to get these assistance, make sure you qualify. There are several criteria to be able to get this assistance, based on the program and the state where you live. To apply, you only need to provide your ID, your income information, proof of your current residence, and information about your child (including your child’s birth certificate). In addition, you may also be asked for proof of overdue bills.
Food Assistance for Single Mothers
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Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
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SNAP is formerly known as food stamps. This assistance is offered by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for single mothers earning up to 130% of the poverty level. With this assistance, you will be able to receive a monthly benefit on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to buy groceries for you and your children.
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The Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers a WIC program for single mothers with low income. This is a program that provides healthcare referrals, supplemental food, and nutrition education for postpartum mothers, children up to age five, and pregnant women.
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The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)
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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchases food and ships it to the states. Then, the states distribute the food to public food pantries and to single mothers with low-income who qualify.
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National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
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Through this National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers free lunch (sometimes with breakfast too) for school-age children who qualify.
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Summer Food Service Program
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The program ensures that children of low-income parents continue to eat nutritious food. During the summer, at approved SFSP sites, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides a lot of meals to children 18 years old and younger.
Housing Assistance for Single Mothers
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Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
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This assistance is offered by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help single mothers with low income discover affordable rental housing, including apartments and single-family homes. In order to qualify, your household income must be 50% or less of the median income where you live.
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Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
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Through this government program, single mothers with low income will be able to get assistance for paying utility bills. Aside from that, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) program also offers home weatherization services. With that, it can increase energy efficiency and reduce the costs of energy.
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Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
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Similar to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), this program also offers assistance for single mothers who qualify to pay utility bills. Besides that, this Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) offers you home weatherization service. That way, your home will stay warm in the winter. And, in the summer your home will be cooler. Of course, it will be able to reduce energy costs.
Healthcare Assistance for Single Mothers
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Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
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This government helps single mothers who qualify for low-cost health insurance. If you have a sick child who needs health care, you can take advantage of this Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
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Medicaid
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Besides the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), there is also a Medicaid program offered by the Government for single mothers with low income. This program also provides low-cost or free health insurance coverage. Each state has its own criteria.
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Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplaces
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Government offers Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces that allow single mothers or families to enroll in private health insurance plans. To assist lower monthly premiums based on income, subsidies will be available on this program.
Child Care Assistance for Single Mothers
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Child Care Assistance Programs (CCAP)
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The Department of Education offers Child Care Assistance Programs (CCAP), an affordable childcare service, for single mothers or families with low income while they are working, looking for work, attending school, or training. If you want to take advantage of this program, you will only be required to pay a certain percentage of the total childcare cost. It depends on your income and number of family members.
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Head Start
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Your state offers the Head Start program to eligible people for preparing children from birth to age 5 for school. If you are eligible, you can take advantage of this program. Also, this free childcare program offers resources to support children’s education and health as well improve relationships of family and well-being.
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Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS)
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This program is for single mothers/fathers who want to pursue post-high school education. Also, the program provides on-campus childcare. Single Mothers who qualify for PELL grants can avail of this service. The program is funded by federal grants and is awarded directly to colleges and universities.
Tax Benefits for Single Mothers
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Dependent Exemption
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When a divorce occurs, you may have equal custody rights with your ex-husband as the father of your child. However, only one of you can claim custody of the child. Decide quickly who will get custody to avoid IRS problems.
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Earned Income Tax Credit
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If you are a single mother who works with low income, you are eligible to receive this benefit.
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Additional Child Tax Credit
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This will give you a payment for each child you have, even when you do not owe any tax.
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Adoption Credit
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This tax benefit is intended to offset the expenses cost of adopting a child.
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Child and Dependent Care Credit
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You may be eligible for this benefit If you have been paying for your child care so that you can work or look for work.
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Child Tax Credit
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This tax credit will be worth as much as $1,000 per qualifying child. It depends on your income.
Scholarships for Single Mothers
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Society of Women Engineers
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If you are a single mother studying Engineering, you may receive this scholarship. For your information, the awards range from $1,000 to $20,000 per scholarship.
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Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation
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This program offers education scholarships up to $5,000 for a single mother earning less than $20,000 per year (as a family of two), less than $25,000 per year (as a family of three), or less than $30,000 per year (as a family of four). To qualify for this scholarship, make sure you are at least 17 years old and enrolled in an accredited non-profit school.
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The Adult Students in Scholastic Transition (ASIST)
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If you are a single mother who is facing hardships due to economic, social, or physical challenges, you are most likely eligible for this scholarship. Offered through Executive Women International (EWI), the program provides educational scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. To try your luck, you can apply through your local Executive Women International (EWI) chapter.
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P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE)
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This program provides educational scholarships up to $3,000 (a one-time grant) for Single mothers with low income. To qualify, make sure you are enrolled in a certification or degree program and are within 18 months of completing the degree. Also, after completing your degree, you can take a two-year leave of absence due to having children or other educational interruptions. With this scholarship, you can cover basic needs such as tuition fees, exam fees, book or equipment payments, and transportation. In addition, you can also use the scholarship for childcare expenses while you are studying or in class.
Apart from the scholarships we mentioned above, there are also several other grants that can help you finance your education. However, these grants may not be aimed directly at Single mothers.
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Pell Grants
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The Federal Government provided up to $7,395 for the 2023-2024 school year. Usually, this grant program is only for undergraduate degrees. The amount you are awarded will depend on your financial need and whether you are a part-time or full student. Aside from that, the amount you are awarded will also depend on The Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Please fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form if you want to apply.
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Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
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This Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) offers educational scholarships between $100 and $4,000 per year, no matter what you plan to study. The amount you are awarded depends on your financial need. But you need to ensure that your school participates in the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program. Also, you need to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify.
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Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH)
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The Federal Government offers this grant program up to $4,000 per year if you are studying to become a teacher at elementary or secondary schools or low-income school districts. To be able to receive this grant, you must agree to that requirement. Aside from that, you also need to complete at least four years of service within eight years of receiving the grant.
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American Association of University Women (AAUW) Career Development Grant
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With this federal grant, you can get an education scholarship of between $2,000 and $20,000. Make sure you already have a bachelor’s degree and want to pursue your first master’s degree, certification program, or specialized training. If you are a woman of color or are pursuing a career in a nontraditional field such as engineering, architecture, or statistics, special consideration may be given.
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Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG)
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This is a merit-based federal grant program that is available for first and second-year undergraduate students. The amounts of award range from $750 (for freshmen) to $1,300 (for sophomores). To qualify, you must file a form of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).