Government Financial Help For Single Moms

One of the hardest things about being a single mom is finding enough money to pay the bills. Debt is a reality for many Americans, but for single moms financial problems can be even worse. Having enough money to pay rent or mortgage, buy groceries, and take care of the kids is a lot for one person to handle. Thankfully, there's help available. You just need to know where to look.

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A good place to start would be talking to non-profits in your area that offer Government financial help for single moms. These wonderful organizations offer housing assistance, employment assistance, and even tuition assistance. Check the phonebook, local non-profit listings, and the internet for opportunities in your community.

Federal and state governments also offer programs to help singlemothers in need. Look up the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF program in your state and contact them for help with food stamps, job training and placement assistance, and financial aid. For help paying your energy bill, contact your utility company first to see if they can offer any assistance. You can also contact the Low Income Housing Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, to request assistance with your heating bill.

Another option is to apply for grants set aside for single moms. To find available grant money, simply search the internet for "grants for single mothers" and a long list will appear. You have to apply and be accepted for grants and different programs will have different expectations. Apply for the ones best suited to your particularsituation.

There are also many ways you can earn extra money without "sacrificing time with your children. You could watch other children during the day or in the evenings while you take care of your kids. You could watch other people's pets while they are away, clean a house or two a week, or look for freelancing jobs you can do from home. If you have a special talent or hobby, consider turning it into a business. There are many things you can make, bake, write, craft, or create that you could also sell.

Paying the bills as a single mom can be tough, but you don't have to go it alone. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. There are programs out there that have been specifically designed to help single moms who are having trouble making ends meet.

Government Financial Help For Single Moms

How to Find Government Grants For Single Fathers

It can be overwhelming having to take care of a child on your own; fortunately the government realizes this and has created some federally funded programs that provide grants for single fathers. This article will help you to determine whether or not you are eligible for any of these programs and will cover the steps you need to take in order to apply.

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As you already probably know, the Internet will be your most powerful resource when you are in search of grants for single dads. When searching, keep in mind what specific type of aid you are looking for. Do you need money for food, education, heating, or other bills? By keeping your searches specific you will be saving yourself hours. Also keep in mind that unlike loans which must be paid back eventually, single father grants are given to you outright with no strings attached.

One of the most widely participated in grants for single fathers is financial aid to return to school. If you are raising a child alone, it can be difficult to find the time and money to go to college, but doing so is perhaps the best thing you can do in order to improve your life. Applying for financial aid will lower your tuition costs significantly, sometimes paying for it all outright depending on how much your college charges. In order to apply, all you have to do is call up your school's Financial Aid office and they will be happy to help you out. In order to determine your eligibility, you will have to fill out a FAFSA form.

When on your search for single father grants, you may notice that a lot of programs are specifically for single mothers. This can be discouraging since it may feel like you are being discriminated against. You may want to just go ahead and apply for these programs anyway, since your gender is not really a factor. Those in charge of these programs probably do not have a problem with giving funds to needy fathers, and probably just label them for moms as most single parents are female. You don't have anything to lose by applying so go for it.

If you are looking for grants for single fathers so you can pay your household bills and properly take care of your children, then the first place to turn to is the Department of Health and Human Services office that is closest to you. They will be able to see if you qualify for programs such as food stamps, welfare,medical coverage, and more. They usually determine your eligibility based on how much you make and your financial obligations. You never know what grants for single dads you may receive so don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

How to Find Government Grants For Single Fathers

Financial Help For Single Mothers

Financial aid for single mothers is available either through federal welfare services or through private organizations.

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Who is qualified?

Not all single mothers can take advantage of special financial help packages. Only those whose earnings fall below a certain level are considered low-income individuals and qualify for welfare benefits. To find out if you qualify for and may avail yourself of federal welfare services, you must complete the application form available at your local welfare office.

Each program has its own income limits. Whether or not your income falls within the limit depends on the type of income you have, your family's expenses, and any other special circumstances your family may have. Each program also has resource limits. Things that can be converted to cash (bank accounts, stocks, and other properties) are considered to be resources. Only certain non-U.S. citizens may receive welfare benefits. Check with your local office for details.

What happens if you are not qualified?

If you do not qualify for welfare benefits, or if your needs are not covered by any specific welfare program, you may take advantage of grants offered by the U.S. government to single mothers. In exchange for the grant, you must perform some service or task required by the grant terms. There are 900 grant programs offered by 26 federal grant-making agencies. Some grant categories are agriculture, art, and education. You may visit http://www.grants.gov and http://www.neh.gov for details on grant application.

Other sources

Many schools offer scholarships specifically to single mothers. In order to find out about these, you may visit the financial aid office of the school you are currently attending or wish to attend.

There are also some private organizations that give grants and financial assistance to single mothers. Singlemom.com has a "financial gifting program." It awards cash grants to deserving single mothers every month. Many other similar organizations have grant and financial aid information on the Internet.

Financial Help For Single Mothers