In the United States, single mothers account for 80% of single parent homes. The majority of these households are continuously battling financial difficulties. While loans may be an option for some people, interest rates and payback might make things more difficult in the long run. If you’re a single parent, you know how difficult it is to make ends meet while caring for children.
If you’re fortunate enough to live in the United States, there are a range of Government Grants for Single Mothers. The term grant refers to the different ways in which the US government redistributes resources to qualifying beneficiaries. This article suggests different sorts of grants available to single mothers in the United States.
Through government subsidies, many single mothers care for their children by providing them with a safe place to live, adequate food, and appropriate health care. Grants for single moms are generously distributed by the federal government.
Government Grants for Single Mothers
1.Department of Housing and Urban Development
In 1974, the Department of Housing and Urban Development established the (CDBG) programme to assist populations with developmental needs. All applicants must have a low to moderate income based on their location. After discussing with the community, HUD sets the amount of each grant. The requirements are determined by the poverty level, population, overcrowded housing grants, housing age and population growth. This programme is available to single moms in urban counties and large cities.
2.Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
The most difficult aspect of being a single mother is caring for her children. This grant assists families in becoming self-sufficient. TANF is an important component of the safety net for low-income families. Its main goal is to assist these families in becoming self-sufficient by providing a combination of short-term money aid and job possibilities. Child-only and family are the two types of TANF grants.
Child-only grants, which are designed to meet the needs of only the child, are usually smaller than family grants, averaging around $8 per day for one child. The second form of TANF grant you can be qualified for is a family grant, which is widely regarded as the easiest to get. It gives a monthly cash payment for food, shelter, and other necessities for up to 60 months, however, several states have shorter time limitations.
3.National Institutes of Health Grant
When you have children, pursuing a scientific profession can be too expensive. Instead of giving up on your research, look over the details of the grant from the National Institutes of Health. This scholarship is available to single mothers who require financial assistance to pursue a research career. The goal of this NIH award is to help new and early-stage researchers. You have a better chance of getting a grant if your study is related to health.
4.Adult and Dislocated Worker Program
This grant, which was enacted as part of the Workforce Investment Act, intends to assist people in achieving their financial goals. The adult and Dislocated Worker Program is for workers aged 18 and over who have been laid off.
People from low-income families are given first priority. Those who have been laid off or terminated are considered dislocated workers. This also includes those who have lost their jobs as a result of the current pandemic situation. This stipend also applies to displaced housewives.
5.Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program
The goal of SNAP, originally known as the Food Stamp programme, is to assist low- and no-income families with affordable and nutritious meals. It is a critical component of the United States’ safety net. SNAP has become the only source of food support for many of the poor Americans. SNAP, the nation’s largest anti-hunger programme, assists nearly 40 million low-income Americans afford a nutritious meal, with children under the age of 18 accounting for the majority of recipients.
The aid is in the form of an electronic benefits transfer card, which the beneficiary can use to buy groceries at any participating store in their area. You must fill out an application form and deliver it to your nearest local SNAP office, either in person, by mail, or by fax, to apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
6.Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a federal tax credit that is intended to assist low- to moderate-income working parents whose earned income falls below a set threshold, particularly those who owe little or no income tax. The EITC is refundable, meaning that taking it reduces the total amount of taxes payable and may result in a refund if the credit amount exceeds the tax burden — up to $6,728 for a household of three or more children.
The Kid Tax Credit, on the other hand, reduces tax liability for families with children by up to $2,000 per qualified child, of which $1,400 is refundable, depending on your income. The American Rescue Plan temporarily raises the CTC to $3,600 for children under the age of 6 and $3,000 for children aged 6 to 17 in 2022, makes it completely refundable, and eliminates the $2,500 earnings ceiling. Many states provide their own Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs) to supplement the federal EITC; however, the levels vary widely from state to state.
7.Women, Infants and Children Program
WIC is a federally supported nutrition programme that delivers free nutritious foods to pregnant women, new mothers, and children under the age of five who are considered nutritionally vulnerable. It is intended to be a short-term programme, with eligible applicants receiving payments for six (6) months to a year.
Women in the programme receive $11 per month for fresh fruits and vegetables, while children in the programme receive $9 per month. Nutritional risk and incomes below 185 percent of the poverty level determine eligibility, but TANF recipients will be given priority in most states. The USDA website can tell you if you’re eligible.
8.Medicaid Health Insurance
Medicaid provides medical benefits to qualified families with no medical insurance and whose financial status is classified as low or very low income. Medicare and Medicaid are not the same thing. Medicare covers medical treatments for persons 65 and older, as well as the disabled. Medicaid is for the poor. If you’re a single mother who meets certain income requirements, Medicaid may be the best option for you. Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program both use federal poverty levels to assess eligibility.
Conclusion
It is difficult being a single mother, so Government Grants for Single Mothers are helpful to live happy life. When it comes to financial aid, the government agency offers many assistance programmes, but you must do in-depth research. You can also apply for financial aid through many other government grants and non-profit organisations for single mothers, read our blog to know more