Assistance For Low Income Single Moms
September 4, 2009 by Amelia
Filed under Help For Single Moms, Money & Career, cathymeyer
So, what do you do if you lose your job or your ex loses his job and receives a downward modification in child support? Single moms have many 
challenges. In todays economic climate it isn’t unusual for a single mom to be faced with financial difficulties. There are services set up for just such situations. Although it is the last thing most of us want to do, sometimes reaching out to state agencies is an only option.
Many single moms don’t realize the abundance of services available to them. Below is a list of resources you may find handy if you are experiencing economic difficulties.
1. WIC (Women Infant Children): WIC provides food and nutritional education for the expectant mother and then her child up to age five. This is an income based program yet the standard of income level is relatively high so a great number of people qualify. As any parent knows the price of formula that their infant needs can be staggering; WIC provides the parent with the means to support and nourish a growing child.
2. EBT (Food Stamps): The days of handing over a vast array of “coupons” or food stamps is over. There is now an EBT card which is much like a credit card. Depending on the amount that you qualify for money is appropriated to your account monthly. When you go to the grocery store to purchase food you swipe your EBT card, put in your PIN number and voila you’re finished!
3. AFDC (Aid To Family’s With Dependent Children): This federally funded program finically assists parents who have children under the age of 18 living in the home and be income requirements. The amount awarded monthly is based on the amount of income coming into the household. There is now, with current regulations a five year lifetime assistance policy. In other words if you receive aid from the program after the fifth year services will be shut off completely.
4. The Health Department: This service provides free of cost services for your child such as immunizations, medication for head lice, and much more. For the mother, Planned Parenthood provides regular pap smears and birth control. There are many more services that the Heath Department provides but is contingent upon your local office. Call your local office to see what other services are provided for you and your child.
5. Medicaid: Is a federally funded type of insurance for the low income family. With Medicaid you can go to the doctor if you’re sick or if your child is sick. Thankfully, this service also gives the benefit of visiting your local dentist and providing regular cleanings for your child.
With this wonderful service single moms with children with disabilities are often able to take care of their child.
6. Low Income Housing: Hud housing does not just assist first time low income home buyers. They also assist helping individuals find low income renting solutions in your local community. Visit Hud.com for more information as how you may qualify.
7. Head Start: Head start was created with the thought of giving an academic head start to the child of a low income family. Here your child will begin at the age of three learning the basics of reading, writing and math. When beginning kindergarten with two years of head start behind them the five year old fairs much better than those who had no “formal” preschool according to many statistics. Call your local chapter of head start and get your child on the path to a brighter future.
Make sure that when you call your local aid services you ask about college tuition, day care assistance, and help with electricity bills.
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Surviving Low Income Hell as a Single Mom
What am I Going to do For Work?
Is It Wrong to Slam Deadbeat Dads on TV?
When my payments dried up I asked questions. I was okay with the reality that I could not do it all on my own, I was working full-time but the ex decided that his children were not on his priority list. Schools have emergency funds for things like excursions and extra-curricular activities. I used them. I had not done anything wrong and my kids deserved to attend everything just as they always had.
I look at it this way. I have always been there to assist whenever my hands were needed. I volunteer in soup kitchens and disaster relief and bring the kids to assist on holidays and days when they need a reality check. It’s heartwarming and humbling and it also makes it easier when we find ourselves on the receiving end. I felt that in my contributions, I had earned the right to ask for help. I continue to do my part in assisting other women who are now wearing my old shoes and I have a much clearer picture of their despair. I’m okay with it.
Just hold your head up. I felt that if this was the only way to provide for my kids, so be it. Nothing could stop the love in the home and if the food was canned vegies that I would normally never touch ~ we were learning yet another lesson. Ask and ye shall receive. No shame. Walk with pride.