(FinancialHealth)- If you’re a single mother, you may be missing out on some great government benefits that you didn’t know about before. There are many different assistance programs out there! All of them seek to assist single mothers. The aid can provide support for rent, utility bills, basic living expenses, and child care. Though the assistance is valuable, benefits are only for those who are eligible.
Overview
There is no limit to how many programs there are! It’s all part of an effort to help struggling single mothers keep afloat. Grants funded by federal and state governments may be given to single mothers provided they fit the eligibility criteria. They are also supported by non-profit organizations. Though these grants are helpful, they are not always able to cover educational expenses. For housing costs, there are no government housing grants that exclusively target single mothers. Rather, the federal government awards housing grants to organizations that assist those struggling with housing expenses.
The most popular government options for single mothers include:
- Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program from Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Additionally, single mothers will also be able to look into other programs in their specific area. These programs can help with all types of expenses involved in their daily lives.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
What single mothers will love about SNAP is that it serves low-income communities across America. It provides them with the assistance they need to buy food for their families. This is ideal for single mothers since providing food for their children proves to be a huge financial burden for them.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program from Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Additionally, WIC has also proven to be a very effective program for single mothers, infants, and children. The program provides support for nutrition, educational expenses, and medical referrals. Offering assistance to children up to 5 years old, it’s important for mothers who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Interested in seeing if you qualify? No problem! All it takes is one simple call on 1-800-522-5006. Additionally, you will find that the federal government’s website is also very helpful. There you can learn more about all the benefits that you can get as a single mother. Check and see if you qualify here.
Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Finally, if there’s anything that single mothers are always concerned about, it’s energy costs. When the electric bill goes up, then it could prove costly to take care of children. Heating or cool systems are essential for keeping kids healthy. If the energy costs are too high, then mothers will face a true challenge. Single mothers will find that the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is very helpful in that regard. The good news is that beneficiaries in the SNAP, TANF, SSI programs will automatically qualify for the LIHEAP program as well.
Other Programs
The most important thing you need to do as a single mother is research. Learn about all the benefits that you can get. There are other useful programs that you can look into. This includes the National School Lunch Program and The Emergency Food Assistance Program. Single mothers are also eligible for Medicaid. However, if your income level is too high for Medicaid, you can get your children into the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). You may qualify for this insurance program if you are currently pregnant. On the educational front, you may want to look into the Head Start program, which offers free childcare for kids up to five years old.
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