Government Assistance Programs for Single Mothers

Programs that Help Ensure Healthy ChildrenThe federal and each state government dedicate government aid for single mothers. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is responsible for allocating the government assistance for single mothers programs. DHHS has a federal office, each state has a state Department of Health and Human Services and every county has a local DHHS office. County offices are sometimes referred to as the Department of Social Services.Government entities (like DHHS) recognize the additional and unique challenges a single mother faces when meeting the needs of children and offer government aid to single mothers in the form of programs that meet basic needs such as food, shelter, medical care. When a child’s basic needs are met they do better in school, have higher self-esteem and a better chance of becoming a productive citizen.The goal of this assistance for single mothers is not just to meet the basic needs of a single mother household, but also to hopefully keep a cycle of poverty from forming. The goal is that government aid for single mothers to help children grow, learn and not become a poverty statistic when reaching adulthood.Medical Care Government Assistance For Single MothersMany single mothers either do not have employer sponsored health insurance for their children (due to none offered) or they cannot afford the health insurance premium along with the other expenses of supporting a household with children.Medical Assistance is available through your local Department of Health and Human Services or Department of Social Services. Some programs offer medical assistance government aid for single mothers and their children (not just the children).The medical government assistance for single mothers and their children covers routine doctor visits, immunization and health programs, emergency and catastrophic care. Some states require a minimal co pay for prescriptions and doctor visits. Food Government Assistance For Single MothersThe food assistance program includes reduced or free school lunches for children, food stamps and the Women's, Infants and Children program (WIC). Government aid for single mothers in the WIC program provides nutritional foods (such as cheese, juice, milk and infant formula). A woman receives food vouchers to purchase the foods at the grocery store.Energy Assistance for Heating Government Aid for Single MothersThis program offers heating assistance in the cold months to single mothers.Housing Assistance (HUD) Government Aid for Single MothersHUD administers two government assistance programs for single mothers to help low income households with renting adequate housing and shelter for children. There are government apartment buildings to help meet the demand for affordable housing; however both of these programs tend to have a long waiting list. Non-profit organizations (such as churches and homeless shelters) try to fill in the void until units are available.The Food, Medical, and Heating government assistance programs are accessible through your local DHHS and one application is all that is needed to apply for these programs.  Contact the office in your county for further information and referral to the HUD program.