Family Finance

Financial Help for Single Moms: Grants, Free Stuff and More

Financial Help for Single Moms: Grants, Free Stuff and More

Being a mom is a big responsibility, and raising kids is expensive! When you have to shoulder the entire burden alone, you may find that there are times when making ends meet looks like an impossible task.  Luckily, there are ways for single moms to save and places where you can find help. Read on to find out about single moms grants and private aid programs. You might be surprised at just how much there is out there for you.

Healthcare Help

Financial Help for Single Moms: Grants, Free Stuff and More

Presumably, you’ve already looked into CHIP and Medicaid, but even with these programs, covering healthcare bills can be tough.  Here’s here you can get more help – even if you have insurance.

  • The Health Well Foundation is an organization that helps people who are struggling with their medical bills. It has pulled many people through tough times, and it may just help you.
  • Mission of Mercy operates 17 free clinics around the US. The wonderful people involved here will help you – no questions asked.
  • Partnership for Prescription Assistance will try to find programs that can help you get meds, and it can point you towards free and low-cost clinics in your neighborhood.

Housing Help

Financial Help for Single Moms: Grants, Free Stuff and More

A roof over your head is one of the basics you need to survive. When you struggle to afford housing, things get really scary. But don’t worry! You needn’t end up out on the street!

Your first step is to investigate federal, state, and local government single mom grants and assistance options. These include:

  • The Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP)
  • Principal Reduction Alternative (PRA)
  • Second Lien Modification Program (2MP)
  • Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP)
  • Treasury/ FHA Second Lien Program
  • Home Affordable for Unemployment Program (UP)
  • Emergency Homeowners’ Loan Program (EHLP)
  • Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives (HAFA)

The above programs could help you with your mortgage, but what if you rent? Check with Social Services to find out what free and low-cost housing options are open to you. You can also explore the following non-government options.

Getting Transport Sorted

Financial Help for Single Moms: Grants, Free Stuff and More

Without a car, you really struggle. The good news is that there are various single mom grants towards buying cars out there, and even charity organizations that help low-income families get cars for free. As always, Social Services is a good place to start asking for advice, but you can also check out the options below:

If you can afford a loan with low interest and easy payment terms, you could get help from organizations like:

Help with Day-Care Costs

Financial Help for Single Moms: Grants, Free Stuff and More

Single moms have to work to make ends meet – but they also need to make sure that their kids will be safe while they are at work. Day-care costs are so high that many moms find alternative options:

  • Federal and State Programs: Federal and State Programs can help you to with grants for daycare or with free day-care. Social Services counselors will be able to point you in the right direction or refer you to private programs that work for you. Public Assistance Programs sponsor qualifying children’s day-care, and head start programs are great too if you can qualify. If you’ve already qualified for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), you’re pretty sure to qualify for state or federal child-care help programs.
  • Your Employer: You can also talk to the HR department at your work and find out whether they have made any arrangements for discounted day care or other means of assistance.
  • Church and Regular Day-Care Centers: Churches often offer day-care facilities, and they may let your child attend for little or no cost, and even private day-care businesses are sometimes willing to take kids in at a lower cost or for free. Some even work their fees on a sliding scale based on your income. You’re especially likely to get informal help of this type if your child has been in the day-care center for a couple of years already. As always, asking can’t hurt and could well help.
  • Join an Online Community: If you sign up at Care.com, you will find a community of people who will give you advice, and the site will try to match you with daycare options for which you qualify in your area. Just getting help with this one expense will make a big difference to your household income.

Cash and Food

Financial Help for Single Moms: Grants, Free Stuff and More

Not being able to put food on the table is every mother’s worst nightmare. Luckily, there are several ways you can get food or financial assistance to lessen your burden while you get your financial life on track.

  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Apply at your local Department of Job and family services for a range of assistance options. To qualify, your household will need to prove that your income is low enough for you to need this aid.
  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): Some people still refer to “food stamps,” but nowadays SNAP benefits are loaded onto something that looks just like a credit card. Find out more about how SNAP works in your state through the FDA website. Once again, you will have to be below a certain financial threshold in terms of earnings in order to qualify.
  • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children (WIC): Moms with babies and toddlers under five can get extra help through WIC. The program covers the provision of nutritious foods for low-income families from pregnancy onward. You’ll find more details on the FDA website.

Single Mom Grants: Student Loan Help, Scholarships, and Study Grants

Financial Help for Single Moms: Grants, Free Stuff and More

If you’re able to study and gain skills, your earning capacity will increase, but the cost of education is sky-high. Single moms can explore a variety of options for scholarships and study grants. On the other hand, you may have completed your education and are now faced with hefty student loan repayments. Once again, help is available.

  • Talk to Your HR Department: Many private companies will help employees with their studies. In some cases, you won’t even have to repay tuition provided you continue to work for the company for a specified time. Find out what your employer can offer you.
  • FAFSA: If your income is low, you could qualify for a FASA grant. Fill out your form to stand a chance of having most of your education costs covered.
  • Soroptimist: This international organization focuses on helping women and girls get the qualifications of their dreams. Are you eligible? Check it out and submit your application.
  • Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund: Single moms having a tough time financially could qualify for this national scholarship program. Once again, you need to fill in an application and hope for the best!
  • Emerge Scholarships: A scholarship that’s specifically for women who need financial help to complete their studies, the Emerge program is only available in Georgia. To find out what’s available in your area, why not visit a college or skills training counselor? They will know which programs they would usually recommend to someone in your circumstances.
  • More Scholarships and Grants: Visit FastWeb to get the latest news on all the scholarships for college students and grants you might qualify for.
  • Student Loan Forgiveness Programs: If you already have a student loan you’re repaying and are struggling, find out whether you qualify for a forgiveness program. Failing that, you can discuss your situation with your creditors. They may be willing to restructure your debt to give you time to get on your feet financially.

Use the Hep You Can Get

Financial Help for Single Moms: Grants, Free Stuff and More

Some single moms are lucky enough to have a strong family support system – but for others, being a single mom may feel like a lonely struggle. However, there are many good people and organizations that will understand your predicament. But they can only help you if you reach out first.

Don’t wait until you’re absolutely desperate. These things take time to organize. And don’t feel like you’re swallowing your pride or humbling yourself when you do so. Single parents have a tough job on their hands, and any reasonable person will only respect your efforts to make a better life for your kids.

Like this post? Pin it!

Financial Help for Single Moms: Grants, Free Stuff and More