Government assistance for single mothers
A large number of households are headed by single mothers, and debt is the number one concern in every one of those households. Daycare costs often make the option to work irrelevant as many women cannot earn enough to cover the cost of daycare and pay their bills. Add to that the stress of being the sole support, the stay-at-home mom, the only parent in the home, and taking care of all the chores and errands, and the job becomes exasperating and exhausting.
Help is available if you know where to look for it. Start with the agencies in your community that offer government assistance. Housing assistance, employment assistance, and tuition assistance can help take some of the pressure off. Start with your neighborhood phone book, a good resource for agencies serving your community. You can also increase this by browsing the Internet.
Help is also available from higher level government organizations. For example, every state has a branch of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF. Through this organization you may be eligible for food stamps, job training, and placement assistance. Your local utility company may offer special programs to help you pay all or part of your heating bills. The Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program or LIHEAP is another option for assistance with your heating bill.
You can also search for government grants that may help your situation. Each grant will have a different stated purpose and set of guidelines for applying and qualifying. Some can be used to pay for education, while others can help start a small business or be used for a variety of purposes. Find the type of grant that fits your needs and read the application process carefully before applying. Be sure to submit all required documentation and meet the application deadlines.
Taking care of your family on a single income or on public assistance is a demanding, full-time job. Don’t let pride stop you from asking for help. We live in a world that is increasingly stressed by financial problems and everyone is struggling. There are programs to help you get through the tough times. Take advantage of them so you can find time to enjoy your family and make sure their needs are met. Even a small amount of single mom grants used the right way can make a big difference.