In the United States, single women 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 are a single mother in the United States, you can apply for a range of grants through anti-poverty initiatives. 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 and non-governmental 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.
WIC and TANF are two of the most well-known handouts. WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Grants assist single moms with food, health care, and education costs. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) grants assist low-income families. Make sure you are eligible before applying for grants.
Do not submit an application if you do not meet all of the eligibility requirements. Grantees seek to give money to specific people and rarely deviate from the regulations. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can proceed to fill out the application and send in all of the requested information. You’ll almost certainly need to create a grant application letter as well. All you have to do now is wait for the grant package to be reviewed before looking for other options.
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, 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 cash 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. This programme 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 poorest Americans. SNAP, the nation’s largest anti-hunger programme, assisted nearly 40 million low-income Americans to afford nutritious meals, 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 qualifying child under the age of 6 and $3,000 for children aged 6 to 17 in 2022, making it completely refundable, and eliminating 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.
College Grants for Single Mothers
Single mothers who desire to go to college have a new set of challenges in addition to child-rearing, domestic obligations, and paying for their families. This is an impossible task for most of us, but single mothers usually find a way to make it work. Fortunately, numerous organisations understand that single parents require financial assistance to pay for their education. As a result, many educational scholarships have been established exclusively for single mothers.
These scholarships assist single mothers in obtaining the education they require in order to build a stable financial future for themselves and their children. These college grants is for single moms who are going back to school have specific GPA criteria. Some organisations will only award scholarships to students who are enrolled in a specific course. To check if you qualify for one, read the qualifying conditions.
Student loans, either subsidised or unsubsidized, are frequently offered as part of a complete financial aid package for single mothers going back to school who want more assistance than the Pell grant. Federal student grants, although being the least preferred kind of financial help, allow you to borrow money for college at lower interest rates than most private loans. You may also be able to postpone interest payments until after graduation.
You must first complete and submit a FAFSA, as with most federal student aid. You must check yes in the part of your FAFSA that asks about your interest in student loans to be considered.
1. National Science Foundation Grant
Individuals interested in scientific and engineering research and education should browse the National Science Foundation’s grant database. This foundation gives out a lot of money to help progress the science and engineering fields. The foundation is responsible for 20% of all federal research funding. Depending on the grant opportunity, there are different eligibility conditions. It is critical to go over the eligibility conditions for the specific programme. The size of the grant varies substantially depending on the project. It also depends on your idea and the cash available.
2.AAUW Grants and Fellowships
Women can apply for American Fellowships, Career Development Grants, Community Action Grants, International Fellowships, International Project Grants, and Selected Professions Fellowships through the AAUW. The American Fellowships assist intellectual women in completing their dissertations by providing financial assistance to conduct the necessary research.
These grants also support research projects that are worthy of publication. Students on the tenure track who are part-time faculty or established researchers are eligible to apply; tenured professors are the only ones who are not eligible. Women who desire to develop their careers or re-enter the workforce can apply for Career Development Grants.
When pursuing higher education, the grants must be used to cover educational fees. The goal is to ensure that all women and girls understand that they are entitled to the same opportunities as everyone else. There are one-year and two-year grants available.
Community-based projects receive one-year grants. Two-year grants support community-based initiatives that provide activities for young women to help them grow confidence and knowledge in order to become leaders and advocates for others. In the United States, organisations must conduct a nonpartisan programme that has a major impact on women.
Women who have completed the AAUW International Fellowship are eligible for the International Project Grants. They help women with their education so that they can better society and empower women all around the country. The requirements for each grant vary, but they are all open to women who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
Other considerations include community involvement, academic success, and great project design. The amount of the grant is determined by the type of grant and the project’s financial requirements. Grants of up to $7,000 are available.
Financial Aid for Single Mothers
1. Federal Pell Grant
The Federal Pell Grant is backed by the US Government. The funds are distributed to students to help them pay for tuition and other college-related expenses. Once a student earns a Pell Grant, they will keep it for the rest of their academic career. All you have to do to apply for the Pell Grant is fill out the FAFSA. This is an application that the government uses to see if you qualify for financial aid to cover your tuition fees. Undergraduates students pursue ing a bachelor’s degree can also apply for federal Pell Grants.
If you are interested in pursuing a post-baccalaureate teacher certification programme, you may be eligible for this scholarship. All grantees must demonstrate that they are financially disadvantaged. The amount of your grant is determined by your EFC and college costs. Your academic year enrollment and student status can also influence the amount. Under this scheme, the average grant per student is over $5,000.
2.FAFSA Grants
Individuals can apply for FAFSA grants after completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Eligible applicants are typically awarded the Federal Pell Grant plus the FSEOG. Students can receive money through the Federal Pell Grant. The FSEOG is governed by the college or university where you are enrolled. When students are granted a particular amount, they have to use the money to credit their accounts.
Tuition, books, and other college-related fees must be covered by the grant. Individuals must demonstrate that they are in financial distress to be eligible. They must also be full-time or part-time students in a university. The government also takes into account the expense of the school and whether the candidates are full or part-time students.
3.FSEOG Education Grants
Students can use the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant to assist pay for their higher education. The stipend will be credited to your account by the financial assistance office of a attending college or university. Because the FSEOG is only offered at a few colleges, students should check with their financial aid office to see if it is accessible.
Individuals must be enrolled in a program-participating college or university. In addition, they must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant must first use it before applying for the FSEOG. The amount of the grant varies based on financial need. The majority of people receive between $100 and $4,000. The amount of money the school receives also impacts how much money the recipients receive.
Housing Grants for Single Mothers
Federal that help low-income people afford an apartment or a house. This can be used to fund the purchase of a home, the purchase of rental property for housing income, the refurbishment of existing properties, or the receipt of aid if you are in danger of losing your home due to foreclosure. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development is one of the most well-known institutions in charge of awarding these grants. This is a federal agency in charge of ensuring that low-income individuals and families have access to affordable housing.
1. ADDI Grant for First-time Home Buyers
The two most difficult obstacles for consumers who wish to buy a home are down payments and closing costs. ADDI Provides assistance to first-time homeowners by covering the down payment and closing costs. The money must be used to buy a house, condo, a prefabricated home or a cooperative unit. Those eligible for the ADDI must earn less than 80% of the median income in their area. The amount is determined by the buyer’s income and the down payment and closing charges.
2. Housing Voucher Program
You can be eligible for HUD’s housing voucher programme if you come from a very low-income family. You have the freedom to choose from a variety of single mother housing grants to match your needs under this programme. Furthermore, your landlord must agree to lease the property to you through this scheme. A housing subsidy will be paid to the landlord directly. This service is available through public housing authorities. Based on your income and needs, the agency determines if you’re eligible.
3. Public Housing
Low-income families can live in public housing. This gives persons in grave financial need with affordable and safe housing. This programme covers over 1.2 million households, ranging from high-rise flats to single and multi-family homes. Public housing is available to U.S. residents and qualifying immigrants. Eligibility is also determined by your annual income and family status. The cost of renting a public home varies depending on a number of factors, including your income.
4. LIHEAP Energy Assistance
This programme assists families that are having trouble paying their utility bills, such as heating, cooling, and electricity. You can put the money towards the following: Home energy, Weatherization issues and repairing your home to save money on energy LIHEAP energy assistance recipients must have a low income of 150 percent of the poverty level.
The only time this does not apply is when the state’s median income is 60% higher. However, the poverty level must be at least 110 percent of the national average. The size of the grant is determined by the individual’s financial need for assistance as well as the bills or repairs. This programme is administered by local social assistance agencies, but you can learn more about it by visiting the Department of Health and Human Services website.
5. Vision House Transitional Housing for Single Moms
This is a non-profit organisation that helps single women and their homeless children find temporary shelter. Single men recuperating from drug and alcohol addiction are also housed separately. The Vision House needs residents to earn 30% less than the area’s median income. A person can stay in their transitional accommodation for a maximum of two years. People may even stay longer if they opt to complete a four-year degree.
Daycare Grants for Single Mothers
1. Dependent Care Assistance Programme
This programme enables you to set aside a portion of your income for the care of a child or an elderly relative. The DCAP’s funds are tax-free. Day care, preschool, babysitter fees, and other similar charges qualify as qualifying expenses. Every year, you must enrol in this programme. The DCAP allows for a maximum savings of $5,000.
This programme has some eligibility requirements as well. While this programme is beneficial, you must plan your savings for DCAP because you must spend all of your money on approved expenses by the end of the year. If you don’t spend your DCAP money by December 31, you’ll lose them.
2.TANF Grant of Responsibility and Service Plan:
The childcare aid programme helps low-income families find inexpensive child care. The family must be working and have a low income. Because certain families may be eligible for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, they must adhere to the Responsibility and Service Plan (RSP). Parents under the age of 18 are required to obtain a high school diploma.
Those who are not in high school or who do not receive TANF must pursue education in order to improve their job prospects. The amount of the grant is determined by the fees charged by the child care centres in this programme. The fees vary from one location to the next.
3. Child Care Development Fund
The Child Care Development Fund assists low-income families who require inexpensive child care. It also assists communities by providing financing for the establishment of child care centres and after-school activities. You must be able to demonstrate that you are in financial distress. Child care centres must submit a proposal outlining how they plan to use the grant money to improve their facilities. Individuals and child care centres receive different grant amounts. The award amount is also determined by the locality.
4. Child Care Assistance Programme
CCAP is a state-administered programme that helps low-income families pay for child care while working, looking for work, or attending school or training. It is funded by the Child Care and Development Block Grant. Most states require families receiving child care assistance to contribute to their child care costs on a sliding fee system, with greater co-payments being charged to families with higher income. Eligibility requirements differ, but in most situations, your income must be below the state’s income limit.
5.Head Start Grant
Head Start collaborates with organisations across the county to provide the greatest possible start in life for children aged newborn to five. This programme is typically for low-income families. Children whose families are unable to enrol in preschool before the age of five may be eligible for Head Start.
6.Child Care Credit
When it comes time to file taxes, parents can get a tax deduction if they have to spend on child care. This initiative can help them pay less in taxes. The child must be younger than 13 years old. Physically or intellectually handicapped people can also get help. The expense is deductible from taxable income. This is a tax credit scheme, not a gift. To put it another way, it depends on how much you’ve spent on daycare and how much money you make.
Grants for Single Mom With a Disabled Child
The only source of federal income earmarked for disabled children is Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a sort of social security benefit. SSI can be a lifeline for a family with a special needs child, keeping them out of poverty. Because SSI is aimed at impoverished families, not every child qualifies, and because the child and the family he or she lives with are subject to income limits.
Children on Supplemental Security Income (SSI) received $791 per month. In most states, a kid who is eligible for SSI will also be eligible for Medicaid. To qualify for SSI, the child must have marked and severe functional limitations, as determined by medical evidence. Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, intellectual disability, and blindness are a few examples.
If there are no other children in the home, the maximum monthly amount of earned income a family can make to qualify for SSI is $3,301 for a one-parent family. If there are additional children, the amounts grow. The monthly limits are $1,628 and $2,025, respectively, if all income is unearned.
It may sound too good to be true, but there are grants available for disabled children for families. The eligibility criteria and income limitations vary widely, the funds are limited, and many people may be applying for the same awards at the same time as you.
1. SOS Program of Autism Cares Today
Assists people with autism who have an immediate need for treatment and whose safety is compromised. The Federation for Children with Special Needs is an organisation that provides support, resources, and assistance to children with special needs. The First Hand Foundation helps people with disabilities enhance their quality of life by supporting products that aren’t covered by insurance. Ben’s Fund – Offers grants of up to $1,000 to families in Washington that require financial support for their child’s autism spectrum disease therapy.
2. Challenged America
Challenged America provides financial assistance to children who are economically underprivileged, physically or developmentally challenged (or their parents). You can make requests for medical care, rehabilitative therapy, and/or assistance gadgets that they might not be able to get otherwise.
The advantages to the youngsters are substantially more than just physical. Challenged America can help people enhance their quality of life, build confidence and self-esteem, and facilitate their reintegration into society.
3. The Kiddie Pool
The Kiddie Pool is a web-based fundraiser. When your family joins the programme, a personalised webpage is built for your special needs child. A portrait of your child, his or her narrative and things desired by your child are all included on the web page. People can read about your child and learn about the things he or she requires.
They can then make a donation for your child, which will be saved in an Adaptivemall.com account. Each time someone donates to your child’s fund, you’ll get an email to let you know how close you are to reaching your goal. When your child has accumulated enough donations, you can exchange them for the items you want.
4. Giving Angels Foundation
The Giving Angel Foundation’s aim is to provide assistance to special needs children aged 21 and under who have a physical handicap or sickness. The Foundation gives out grants to low-income families in order to improve their children’s daily lives. Families who want help must fill out a form and show that they are in financial need. Each child is only eligible for one grant (families who have multiple children who qualify are eligible to be awarded once per child).
5. Wheel to Walk Foundation
Wheel to Walk is a non-profit organisation that assists children and young adults with impairments in obtaining medical equipment that their insurance companies do not cover. Therapy tricycles, adaptable strollers, shower chairs, pumper cars, zip zac chairs, selective communication devices, gait trainers, speech therapy, and wheelchairs are just a few of the equipment. This company is adamant that no kid or young adult with special needs should go without products that could help them live a better life. You can contact them if you live in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, or California and require equipment assistance for your special child.
Car Grants for Single Moms
1. Free Charity Cars
Free Charity Cars is a charitable organisation that distributes donated automobiles around the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. The following are some of the eligibility requirements:
- Domestic violence victims
- Those that require medical attention
- Natural disaster victims
- Single Parents in Financial Distress
- Families making the shift from state assistance to work Families in temporary living shelters
- Working-class people
- Families of Military Personnel
To apply for a car from Free Charity Cars, go to their website and complete an application. They will assess your application before releasing your story to the public. Visitors to the website (including your friends and family) can vote for you from there. When a car becomes available in your region, the staff will consider all of the candidates and make a decision based on votes, personal stories, and circumstances. The public’s car donations in your area will determine whether or not you qualify.
2. Government Car Grants
If you receive any form of government assistance (food stamps, section 8 housing, TANF, etc. ), discuss your need for a car with your caseworker. Caseworkers recognise that one of the most significant barriers to employment is a lack of transportation. There are numerous public and private grants available to assist low-income families in purchasing automobiles.
3. CarsforMoms.Org
CarsForMoms is a non-profit organisation that gives free cars to single-parent families to assist them become more self-sufficient. The charity accepts donations and uses them to provide free vehicles, travel, public transportation, and even auto repair to single mothers.
CarsForMoms thinks that giving away free automobiles is not a giveaway, but rather a necessary instrument for families to improve their condition in the future. They also help moms for jobs, school, health care, emergencies, and more by providing free transportation.
4. 1-800-Charity Cars
1-800-Charity Cars is a non-profit that distributes free cars to single mothers and other low-income individuals. This charity’s main goal is to provide low-income families with free vehicles in order to help them become self-sufficient. This organisation, which prides itself on being the largest car donation programme in the country, assists poor families all throughout the country. 84 per cent of donations go to programme funding, according to the organisation’s website.
Single mothers and single-parent households are not the only ones who can benefit from 1-800-Charity Cars. Families in transitional shelters, families transferring from public assistance to employment, veterans, victims of domestic violence, and others can also apply for a free vehicle.
Personal Grants for Single Mothers
1. Children’s Health Insurance Program
CHIP provides health insurance to uninsured children (up to the age of 19) whose families’ incomes are too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low to afford private coverage. According to the most recent data, nearly 37.5 million children were enrolled in Medicaid, which is the largest source of care for low-income children, and another 9.6 million in CHIP. It covers everything a child needs, including doctor visits, vaccinations, dental, and vision care.
It is free for the majority of households. Others will be willing to pay low monthly premiums, enrollment fees, and co-pays for select services. CHIP, like Medicaid, is run by each state separately, with its own set of rules, and can be used as a Medicaid expansion or a different programme.
2. Walmart Awards Grants
Walmart gives grants to nonprofits all throughout the world. Many of these groups focus on feeding the hungry, empowering women in business, and promoting sustainability. Walmart offers awards through four different initiatives. The National Giving Program assists charity organisations in expanding their local chapters. Typically, the grants are worth $250,000 or more.
Nonprofits can apply for funding to start regional or state-level chapters through the State Giving Program. The grants range in value from $25,000 to $250,000. Northwest Arkansas Giving Program: Only groups based in Northwest Arkansas are eligible for this programme. The grant is worth $10,000.
3. National School Lunch Program
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides free or subsidised lunches to qualified kids whose family income falls below specific poverty thresholds, allowing schools to serve nutritious, low-cost lunches to students every day. Free meals are available to children from families with earnings of less than 130 percent of the poverty threshold. Reduced-price lunches are available to those with incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent of the poverty threshold. Pandemic EBT i also available to children who get free or reduced-price school meals under the National School Lunch Program.
P-EBT is a temporary food assistance programme for children who have lost access to free or reduced-cost school meals as a result of school closures caused by the pandemic. Your child is immediately eligible for the free lunch programme if you already get food stamps. The simplest way to apply is to contact the school and fill out an application form. Proof of Income might be required!
4. Sunshine Lady Foundation and Women’s Independence Scholarship
The Sunshine Lady Foundation offers the Women Independence Scholarship.. This initiative provides financial assistance to women who have been the victims of domestic violence in order to further their education. The foundation can assist them in finding better employment, allowing them to avoid relying on someone who takes advantage of them for financial assistance.
All applicants must be female and have experienced domestic violence. They must also have been separated from their partner for at least a year, be a U.S. citizen, demonstrate financial need, be enrolled in college or university, or have a strong desire to begin. The size of the grant is determined by each woman’s financial position and the cost of obtaining the degree she desires.
Conclusion
It’s difficult being a single mother, but you’re not alone. When it comes to money, you have all the assistance you require, but you must complete your research. You can apply for financial aid through government grants and non-profit organisations. In the United States, parents are almost always under financial stress so grants for single moms is the best solution for single mothers.
As a result, raising a child (children) can become a financial strain for a single parent without resources and support from the government or their employers, such as paid maternity leave, universal health care, and preschool. There are 30+ grants listed for single mothers above to assist them with rent, utilities, child care, education, medication, housing, medical costs, automobile and mortgage payments, etc.