What To Do When You Urgently Need Funding
Despite the evening news reports, not every woman with children decides to become a single mother by choice. Many times, single motherhood is forced on a family by the other parent being separated by divorce, abandonment, death, disability or imprisonment.
Many women start off walking down the aisle hand-in-hand, dreaming of “forever afters”, only to end up alone with children. Raising a family single-handedly can be financially overwhelming, especially if the single mom is locked into a low-wage, dead-end job or career.
If you are a single parent and have ever wanted to know how to obtain money for single moms then you should read this article to learn more about some of the many sources of federal and state aid.
Is Funding available for Single Moms?
Yes, it’s true. The US government spends many billions of dollars each year funding programs that provide grants or money for single moms that never has to be paid back. The problem is that these funds are often distributed on a first-come, first serve basis, and you must be diligent and apply early.
So the first thing you must do is decide on what kind of financial help you and your family need. Do you need help with child care so that you can continue to work? Are you worried about providing enough food for your kids? Or do you need assistance with medical or dental care? There are hundreds of grants, scholarships, and vouchers available that provides money for single moms for many different situations.
Programs
Pell Grants
This is one of the older programs that gives money to single moms for furthering their education. Started in 1962 this needs-based grant had provided millions of students with free money to attend colleges, technical schools or universities.
Other educational grants
There are other “needs-based” grants such as the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). While not designed especially to give money only to single moms, the FSEOG is designed to help college students who need additional financial help.
Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)
These programs are administrated by each state but are funded through the US Department of Health and Human Services. The CCDF provides money for single moms to get safe and secure child care so they can work or attend school or college.
TANF
Another program that gives money to single mothers is the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program or the TANF Bureau. The TANF Bureau provides money for single moms through its many state funding programs. The TANF Bureau sponsors job training, plus counseling sessions for job preparation, marriage and childrearing. Each state has its own eligibility guidelines.
And there is the Section 8 Voucher program, which provides money for single moms to help with their rental payments. While his money for single mothers is funded by HUD (US Housing and Urban Development), it is overseen by local state or county agencies.
This is not a complete list of federal programs that give money to single moms, by any means. But now that you have a better understanding of what programs may be available, you can begin to explore your options.
