Government Assistance for Single Mothers

Though Difficult at Times, With Help From the Government, Single Mothers Can Enjoy the Rewarding Part Of Motherhood

It’s extremely hard to be a single mother during these harsh economic times. Not only do they have to be a mother and father to their children, many single mothers are the sole bread winner in their household. That’s why the government offers many programs to assist individuals who find themselves in a financial crisis such as assistance for food, medical needs, financial support and housing arrangements. Here we’ll show you a step-by-step guide to take advantage of the government programs, designated to help single mothers.

Step 1-Every state in the U.S. allocates specific funding to help their residents. Regardless of where you live, each county has a department of Health and Human Services. If you don’t have access to a computer and are not able to visit their website, you can dial 211, the largest directory assistance. Once you contact them, you’ll have to visit their location, fill out an application and an assessment will be given to you. If you’re unable to reach the destination, talk to a representative and you can probably do an application and an assessment over the phone. If you qualify for financial assistance, you’ll be allotted a certain amount of cash each month based on a person’s income and family size. This cash is provided to you either on a debit card or direct deposited into your bank account.

Step 2- In 2009 the number of people without health insurance rose to an all time high of 46.3 uninsured Americans. The majority of low paying jobs don’t offer health insurance to their employees and if they do it’s too expensive to take advantage of. The Government recognizes the need for health insurance and offers programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. Under Medicaid, your children will more than likely qualify if you’re a single mother. In some states, adults can also qualify, but you must visit your local department of health and human services to understand the provisions of government regulated health insurance.

Step 3-Another Government regulated program for the struggling single mom is food stamps. This is also available from The Department of Human Services and is also based on family size and income. But unlike cash assistance, Food Stamps can only be used to purchase food. If you qualify, you’ll receive a card with a monthly allowance and will not be able to purchase items such as cleaning supplies, tobacco and alcoholic beverages. What’s convenient about the debit card style, is that after each purchase, your receipt will let you know your available balance. If you have children old enough to be in school, they’ll most likely also qualify for free or reduced lunch, just to help the struggling single mom even more.

Step 4-Another very important government program that single mothers often forget about is energy assistance. The application process is the same, but this emergency electrical funding is for those in danger of losing their service.

Step 5-Now, one of the most important, and expensive need for a single mother is housing expenses. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers programs such as Section 8 Housing, to help you afford a decent home in a safe neighborhood. Another housing option is through the non-profit organization known as Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity builds homes for struggling families who make below a certain threshold of income. According to Barbara Inman, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity in Pinellas County, the organization works with clients who most likely could not get approved for a home loan through a bank.

Through these government programs, single mothers can find solace despite how dismal their situation may be, knowing that there is help out there for you and especially for your children.