There are government assistance programs available for single mothers. This resource guide will provide you with information on applying for government assistance programs designed to help you and your family.
Child Tax Credit:
The Child Tax Credit is a valuable tax benefit for single parents. For the tax year 2024, this credit is up to $3,000 per qualifying child between the ages of 6 and 17, and up to $3,600 for children under 6.
The $2,000 Supermom Scholarship is designed to help single mothers and those who have been directly impacted by one, on their path to obtaining a college degree. We realize that having a college degree can open many doors for mothers and their children and we want to do everything in our power to help.
Federal Pell Grants, a need-based grant provided by the federal government, is a type of aid that undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional financial need may be awarded, including single parents. The maximum award for the 2024-25 academic year (July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025) is $7,395.
Social Security for Stay-at-Home Moms (and Dads): How to Qualify for Benefits. Just because you don't bring home a paycheck doesn't mean you're not working. A stay-at-home parent can get a Social Security check just like any other worker.
-Fewer than 17% of all single moms receive government assistance even in the minor form of food stamps. (Economic Roundtable). -Although two-fifths of all single mothers are poor, only one tenth of all single mothers receive TANF.
Setting a budget that keeps expenses lower than your income—and sticking to it—is a key step to financial security. Dedicate a part of your budget to debt payment, and pay whatever you can afford each month to bring down your balances. Prioritize high-interest debt.
If you're doing your 2024 taxes, here's what you should know about the Additional Child Tax Credit. A single mom making less than $200,000, can claim a $2,000 child tax credit for each child when using the Single or Head of Household filing status. The credit amount comes off your tax bill.
While a single parent with one child can manage on just over $45,000 a year in Alabama, for example, it takes at least $62,000 a year to make ends meet in California. If the family has two children, those numbers rise to $56,000 and $74,922, respectively.
When the Affordable Care Act passed, some states expanded Medicaid coverage to bring insurance for single moms and dads whose household income is below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). For a one-person household, that is a qualifying income of $13,590. The number rises for each extra person in the home.
How to Apply. You should start by submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form. Schools use the information on the FAFSA® form to determine your eligibility for a Pell Grant, and if so, how much you're eligible to receive.
State social services funnel money from federal programs to help single parents care for their children. A good place to become familiar with available grants and other aid for single parents is at Benefits.gov, a comprehensive website that also has information on how to apply to specific programs.
Most U.S. families with children will get six monthly payments from the government in 2021, starting July 15. Parents and guardians may spend this money – $300 per child under 6 and $250 for every kid or teen who is 6 and up – on groceries, computers, child care, sneakers or however else they see fit.
Single mothers may qualify for other public assistance programs that provide support. Besides TANF, other types of government programs such as nutrition, shelter, and public health insurance can help low-income single mothers.
While there are no exclusive “home loans for single moms,” there are various mortgage programs that cater specifically to the needs of single moms and dads. These so called single mother home loans could help you get around the problem of lower income when buying a house as a single parent.
The credit amount was increased for 2021. The American Rescue Plan increased the amount of the Child Tax Credit from $2,000 to $3,600 for qualifying children under age 6, and $3,000 for other qualifying children under age 18.
In 2023, there were around 15.18 million families with a female householder and no spouse present in the United States, an increase from the previous year.
This paper found that single-parent families are net beneficiaries of government expenditures, that is, as a group they generate a more benefits and services than taxes paid. On average, single-parent families paid $12,497 in total taxes and received $32,522 in immediate government benefits and services.
The government does not offer "free money" for individuals. Federal grants are typically only for states and organizations. But you may be able to get a federal loan for education, a small business, and more. If you need help with food, health care, or utilities, visit USA.gov's benefits page.
For qualified families, the state of California has a program called In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), which pays an individual caregiver to stay home and care for a developmentally disabled child.
Making an extra $2000 a month is going to take work, that's just how it is. One option is starting a blog in your area of expertise and monetizing it through affiliate marketing or sponsored content. Another option is providing childcare services, working as a nanny, or starting a daycare center in your home.