12 Financial Assistance Programs for Single Mothers

Financial pressures are a significant challenge for single mothers. These moms often struggle to cover costs like childcare, housing, and healthcare alone. Financial assistance programs are crucial in this context. They provide needed support, helping single mothers manage their finances better.

These programs offer a range of benefits. They include healthcare access, housing subsidies, and help with education costs. This guide focuses on these assistance options that ease financial burdens for single mothers. By understanding these resources, single moms can find ways to improve their family’s stability and prospects.  Below, find a quick overview of programs that help single moms:

Financial Assistance Programs for Single Mothers

Let’s examine how single mothers can get help through government programs and local community resources. We want to show how financial assistance is vital in helping single moms care for their families and create better futures.

Housing & Mortgage Assistance

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity helps low-income single moms build a first-time home for their families.  A group of volunteers will work to build your new home, and as a requirement, you help by working to build your new dwelling and buying furniture from their Habitat stores. Visit their website, a Habitat office near you, or call  1-800-422-4828. (more)

The Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP)

This program helps single mothers receive the help needed to prevent foreclosure on their homes.   For information, call (888) 995-4673.

Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)

This program can help you have your mortgage reevaluated, lowering your interest rate payments or shortening the life of your loan.  Contact FannieMae or FreedieMac for more information.

Second Lien Modification Program (2MP)

If you have a second mortgage through HAMP, this program can help you get your principal reduced on the second mortgaged property.   For more information, call (888) 955-4673.  

Principal Reduction Alternative (PRA)

PRA, or principal reduction alternative, is A federal program that reduces the principal on your mortgage principal when your balance exceeds the home’s value.  To learn more, visit the IRS Website or call (888) 995-4673.

CoAbode

A unique non-profit that helps single mothers by facilitating shared housing arrangements. These arrangements reduce housing expenses by about 40% and offer the benefits of shared responsibilities and social interaction.

Housing Choice Voucher Pro

The U.S. government offers several rental assistance programs. One such program is the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), which provides vouchers to pay rent for private housing. Subsidized rental housing and public housing are other options, in which the government pays a portion of the rent.

Childhood Development

Early Head Start

This federally funded benefit program allows low-income parents to give their children better educational preparedness. It is open to infants, toddlers, or two-year-olds. This program prepares young minds to learn how to work and play with others and other essential skills.

Childcare Assistance

If you are a single mother, you must work to provide for your family or are in school to continue your education.  The most important thing is to find safe, affordable childcare for your children.

DSS funds the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), consisting of four childcare subsidy programs.  Contact the Division of Child Development in your state to get further information.  Your income cannot be above 75% of the state average income. You can earn up to $47,568 for a family of three.  (more)

Nutritional Programs

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for Single Moms

This food assistance program helps low-income families purchase and provide nutritious meals for their families. If your gross family income is at or below the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you may qualify for help.

If you qualify for emergency expedited food assistance, you could receive SNAP benefits within 7-10 days. Contact the Department of Social Services near you or go online to find out how to apply for Food Stamps (SNAP).

Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

WIC is a federal and state nutritional program for food.  This program helps low-income pregnant women, babies, and children under five years old. WIC can be used in local supermarkets and wherever they accept WIC.  (more)

Farmers Market Nutrition Program  (FMNP)

Congress authorized FMNP in 1992 to enable people eligible for WIC to receive monthly vouchers for purchasing fresh produce.  You can buy fresh produce directly from farmers, local farmer’s markets, and roadside produce stands in the area. (more)

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

This free lunch program helps low-income children by providing breakfast and lunch during the school year and the Summer months.  Your child can receive two complimentary meals daily or a discount voucher if you qualify financially. Find out if you are eligible for this meal assistance program.

TEFAP Grants (The Emergency Food Assistance Program)

This Federal assistance program offers free food assistance to low-income single moms, older adults, families, and individuals.  To find out contact information for your state, go here and locate your form, then press “contact info.”

Health Programs

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

CHIP allows disadvantaged women who do not qualify for Medicaid to purchase low-cost health care for their kids.   The health care programs are available in every state, DC, Indian, and US Territories.   You can apply online or by phone. 1-800-986-KIDS (5437)

Medicaid

Medicaid is a big help to single moms because it gives them and their kids the necessary health care. This includes things needed during pregnancy, like check-ups, help during childbirth, and care after the baby is born.

It also covers family planning and mental health services, such as checking for depression in new moms. For more detailed information, you can refer to the sources on the Medicaid website and KFF, which provide in-depth coverage of these benefits.

Home Heating and Weatherization

Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)

Many families need help paying high heating and cooling bills. Home heating grants are distributed yearly as a once-a-year subsidy from the Department of Health and Human Services.  The government allocates money to states, territories, and all tribal governments. If you qualify, you can receive a check for up to $350 to help disadvantaged single-family households.   (202) 401-9351.  (website)

Churches that Help Single Moms

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army provides safe shelters for single mothers and families.  These transitional living centers also offer moms life support services such as education, counseling, vocational education, food, and other support to help women become stable and maintain family stability. They also sponsor a yearly Christmas toy drive to give gifts to children and older adults.

Catholic Charities

This faith-based charity offers life-affirming, supportive services to residents struggling to care for themselves and their children.  These programs provide financial assistance with bills and social support for single mothers, families, and individuals.

St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church

The Christian organization helps single mothers, parents, older adults, and singles with many support services.  Struggling families can receive help with rent, utilities help with utilities, clothing, and household items from their thrift store, etc.

Charities that Help Single Moms

Many charities help single mothers and other families struggling to care for their families.   They can help you pay late rent and utilities, offer counsel, food assistance, job preparation, parenting classes, Christmas toys, and more.

If you face eviction or loss of lights, water, or gas, please contact the organization below to help.  Some of these agencies also have onsite food pantries.  Be prepared to show proof of income and identification for all children in the home.

Poverty among Single Mothers in the United States

In 2022, statistics on single motherhood in the United States revealed the following key points: There were approximately 10.9 million one-parent family groups with children under 18, and about 80% of these were maintained by mothers.  Among single mothers, 51% had never been married, and 29% were divorced.  A significant proportion of single mothers experienced financial difficulties:

• Approximately 31.3% of single-mother families lived in poverty.
• Nearly 45.4% received food stamps.
• 9.2% had no health insurance coverage.

In Conclusion

Financial assistance for single mothers is not just a matter of practical necessity; it is a crucial element of social support that empowers them to overcome their unique challenges. Single mothers juggle the responsibilities of providing for their families.  This includes nurturing their children and often pursuing their education or careers while navigating financial challenges.

The availability of financial help in the form of government programs, community resources, and support networks not only eases their immediate financial burdens but also provides a pathway to economic stability and independence.