– Grants for Single Mothers –
Single mothers have it harder when trying to balance a full academic course load. They are also responsible for feeding, clothing, and also financially supporting their children.
Grants For Single Mothers in America
This can make life so difficult for them. Please read to the end because this article has a lot and more information on how to help single mothers grow.
A grant is a way the government funds your ideas and projects to provide public services and stimulate the economy. Grants support critical recovery initiatives, innovative research, and many other programs.
Grant is a broad term that refers to the various ways the U.S. government redistributes resources to eligible recipients. This article delves into various types of grants for single moms in the United States.
Grants such as the Pell Grant is a unique need-based grant that help the neediest students pay for college. In particular, low-income students and students of colour groups disproportionately include single parents.
More Information on Grants for Single Mothers
The federal government is the largest source of aid, primarily the Pell Grant. State governments often fund grants and scholarships for residents attending college in their state.
In addition, there are granted tax credits for low-income families and Medicaid, which subsidize health insurance. For many single mothers with no income, this may be the only option for coverage.
Whether you’re a single mother “going back to school” or need help to pay for bills, listed below are some, if not all, “grants for single moms” — most of which are administered at the state level.
Grants for Single Mothers Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for this grant is based on one’s established financial need and the applicant is expected to complete a FAFSA form each year to qualify and it’s FREE.
Free Grants for Single Mothers
Single are most times open to financial hardship because of low-income results from salary or business. This makes it so hard for them to take care of their children and themselves.
We have a list of Grants for single mothers below if you are eligible that can help a single mother cater for herself and her children.
1. Federal Work-Study Grants for Single Mothers
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally subsidized financial aid program that gives single-parent students a way to earn money by doing part-time work on or off-campus, often in their chosen field of study.
Students may work up to twenty (20) hours a week and receive a monthly paycheck based on an hourly wage, which they can use for educational expenses.
However, this “earn-while-you-study” option will work only if you have minimal living expenses and have family support to meet your child care needs.
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Some FAQs About Federal Work-Study Grant
What kinds of jobs will you do there?
The Federal Work-Study Program lays emphasis on employment in civic education and works related to your course of study.
Are jobs on-campus or off-campus?
You do both jobs. If you work on campus, you’ll usually work for your school. If you work off-campus, your employer will usually be a private nonprofit organization or a public agency, and the work performed must be in the public interest.
Some schools might have agreements with private for-profit employers for work-study jobs. These jobs must apply to your course of study (to the maximum extent possible).
If you attend a proprietary school (i.e., a for-profit institution), there may be further restrictions on the jobs you can be assigned.
If you’re interested in getting a Federal Work-Study job while you’re enrolled in college or career school, make sure you apply for aid early. Funds are limited.
How much can I earn?
You’ll earn at least the current federal government minimum wage. However, you may earn more depending on the type of work you do and the skills required for the position.
Your total work-study award depends on;
• When you apply,
• Your level of financial need, and
• Your school’s funding level.
How will I be paid for the Job?
Your pay depends partly on whether you’re an undergraduate or graduate student; if you are an undergraduate student, you’re paid by the hour, but if you are a graduate or professional student, you’re paid by the hour or by salary, depending on the work you do.
Your school must pay you at least once a month and must pay you directly unless you request that the school send your payments directly to your bank account or use the money to pay for your education-related institutional charges such as tuition, fees, and room and board.
Can I work as many hours as I want?
The amount you earn can’t exceed your total Federal Work-Study award. When assigning work hours, your employer or your school’s financial aid office will consider your class schedule and your academic progress.
2. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is an essential part of the safety need for very low-income families and single mothers. Its primary aim is to help these families achieve self-sufficiency through a combination of short-term financial assistance and work opportunities.
TANF program also provide grant funds to states and territories to provide families with financial help and related support services. State-administered programs may include childcare help, job preparation, and work help.
Types of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
We have only two types of TANF grants, namely below;
The Child-only grants: This grant considers only the needs of the child, which are usually smaller than family grants, about $8 per day for one child.
The family grant: This is the second type of TANF grant which you may be eligible for, as what many consider being the easiest grant to get.
This grant provides a small cash amount on a monthly basis for food, clothing, shelter and other essentials for up to 60 months, although many states adopt shorter time limits.
Grant Eligibilities for TANF
1. To be eligible for this benefit program, applicants must be a resident of the state in which they apply, and a U.S. citizen, legal alien or qualified alien.
2. You must be unemployed and have low or very low income. You must also be:
i. Have a child 18 years of age or younger or Be pregnant
ii. Be 18 years of age or younger and the head of your household.
3. An unemployed single mom, with children under the age of 19, is eligible for assistance under TANF.
How do I apply for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families?
• Find application information from your state.
• TANF cash benefits vary from state to state.
For a family of three, the maximum TANF benefit paid in 2020 varied from $170 per month in Mississippi to $1,086 per month in New Hampshire, the most generous of any state.
These cash grants are often referred to as “welfare” and the conditions under which you can receive it largely depend on where you live.
States with larger African American populations, all else equal, have less generous and more restrictive TANF policies. However, the recipient is required to take part in work activities for at least 20 hours per week.
3. Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA)
Diversion Cash Assistance (DCA), often known as Emergency Cash Assistance, provides alternative help for single mothers in times of emergency. It is offered as a one-time payment instead of extended cash benefits.
Families who qualify may receive a one-time grant of up to $1,000 to deal with an emergency or minor crisis but may vary depending on the severity of the financial crisis.
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Eligibilities Guidelines for DCA Grants
• Families meeting the income and resource requirements AND can be shown that they expect to have income and resources to meet their long-term needs are eligible to apply.
• Families who receive this assistance are expected to not need TANF assistance for the next 12 months. Income and resource requirements are the same as for TANF and Family Medical.
In determining net income, we count only half of earned income and give you credit for child support that is paid out by your family.
How Diversion Cash Assistance Helps
Diversion can help with expenses such as;
i. Housing
ii. Transportation
iii. Medical bills
iv. Employment
v. Childcare
Additional Program Information
If you choose to receive DCA:
• The maximum benefit is $1,250
• You are eligible for only one thirty-day period per year.
• You will use none of your sixty-month lifetime limits for TANF benefits.
• You must repay a pro-rated portion of the grant if you go to TANF before one year
Diversion Program Income Limits
| Number of Persons | Monthly Income Limit |
| 1 | $363 |
| 2 | $459 |
| 3 | $569 |
| 4 | $670 |
| 5 | $772 |
| 6 | $877 |
Application Procedures
You can apply for Diversion Cash Assistance online or at your local Community Services Office. As with all our programs, the only way to know for sure if you are eligible is to apply.
4. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families and single moms so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency.
The aim of SNAP, formerly the Food Stamp program, is to provide affordable and healthy meals to the neediest families and children from single mothers, many of whom are low to no income.
It is one of the most important components of the U.S. safety net. For many of the poorest Americans, SNAP has become the only form of income assistance they receive.
The nation’s largest anti-hunger program known as SNAP has helped over 40 million low-income Americans and single moms to afford a nutritionally adequate diet for their children, and for children under the age of 18 being the largest recipient.
This assistance comes as a debit card (EBT) which the recipient can use to purchase grocery items in any participating store within their locality.
Who is Eligible for SNAP?
To get SNAP benefits, you must apply in the state in which you currently live and you must meet certain requirements, including resource and income limits. SNAP income and resource limits are updated annually.
The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, signed by President Joseph R. Biden on March 11, 2021, extends increases to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) maximum allotments from July 1, 2021, through Sept. 30, 2021.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, raised maximum allotments to 115 per cent of the June 2020 value of the Thrifty Food Plan (TFP) from Jan. 1, 2021, through June 30, 2021.
How to Apply for SNAP
• To apply for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), you must fill out an application form and return it to a local SNAP office, either in person, by mail, or by fax.
• Each state has its own application form. If your state’s form is not on the web, you’ll need to contact your local SNAP office to request one. FNS headquarters does not process applications.
In April 2021 everyone who gets SNAP is will definitely get an extra benefit, called “Emergency Allotments” (EAs), Starting from May, all households in states with these benefits will receive emergency allotments of at least $95. No extra paperwork is required.
5. Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC)
Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) is a federal-funded nutrition program that provides free healthy foods to pregnant women, new mothers and children under 5 years of age who are considered being “at nutritional risk”.
It is designed as a short-term program, with eligible recipients usually receiving benefits from six (6) months to a year, at which time they must reapply.
In a typical month, women in the program receive $11 per month for fresh fruit and vegetables, while children receive $9 per month.
All women and children from 1 to 4 years old enrolled in the WIC Program will receive a temporary increase in the number of benefits to buy fruits and vegetables to $35 per participant per month, from June to September 2021. That’s an extra $105 per month for a single mother of two.
Eligibility Criteria for WIC Grant
Eligibility is determined by nutritional risk and incomes that fall below 185% of the poverty level, but in most states, priority will be given to TANF recipients.
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6. Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)
Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is a state-administered program that helps low-income families and low-income single mothers pay for child care while working, searching for a job or attending school or training. The Child Care and Development Block Grant fully funded this program.
Most states require families receiving child care assistance to contribute toward their child care costs based on a sliding fee scale that charges higher co-payments to families with higher income.
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) provides support to help families pay for child care. The Division of Child Care handles all child care provider support and The Division of Family Support helps clients apply for the program.
Eligibility for the Child Care Assistance Program
• Applicants must meet eligibility requirements in 922 KAR 2:160. An applicant can see if they are eligible by using the Prescreening Tool. To apply please call toll free (855) 306-8959 or visit kynect.
• This guideline varies from state to state but in most cases, your income must not be greater than the income limit set by the State in which you live.
More Information on Child Care Assistance Program
Intentional program violation of CCAP is fraud and can cause a criminal conviction and loss of services and payments. Intentional means misinforming the program purposefully to receive services and/or payment for services.
Parents may commit fraud by failing to report changes that affect a program’s benefits, such as;
• Change of address.
• Income changes – per hour rate or the number of hours.
• Change in household size – person leaving or coming into the home.
7. Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program (CCAMPIS)
The Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program, known as CCAMPIS, is the only federal grant program dedicated to providing campus-based child care for low-income parents in postsecondary education.
CCAMPIS should support lower-income student parents who need child care assistance in order to remain in school and graduate with a college degree, but most of them will have to get on a waitlist.
Applications are considered for child care assistance through CCAMPIS funding based on eligibility status, financial income, need, resources, and family contribution levels.
This program supports the participation of low-income parents in postsecondary education through the provision of campus-based child care services.
Funds are used to support or establish campus-based child care programs, primarily serving the needs of low-income students enrolled in IHEs.
Grants may be used for before and after school services. In addition, grants may serve the child care needs of the community served by the institution.
Who Is Eligible to Apply
• Categorically Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs): An institution of higher education is eligible to receive a grant under this program if the total amount of all Federal Pell Grant funds awarded to students enrolled at the institution of higher education for the preceding fiscal year equals or exceeds $350,000.
• For the participant, only low-income parents who are eligible to receive a Federal Pell grant
8. Head Start / Early Head Start Grants for Single Mothers
Head Start and Early Head Start are both federal programs designed to promote the “school readiness” of children from birth to the age of five. Early Head Start serves children from birth to 2 years old, and Head Start serves children 3 to 5 years old.
They both provide a wide range of services, from free medical and dental care, child education to health and nutrition to even parental involvement in the family.
Are You Eligible for Head Start / Early Head Start Grants for Single Mothers
● General Requirements for Eligibility
• Eligibility is based on family income at or below the poverty level, according to the Poverty Guidelines published by the federal government.
• Children in foster care, homeless children, and children from families receiving public assistance (TANF or SSI) are eligible regardless of income.
• You are eligible based on family income at or below the poverty level.
• Factors that affect eligibility include homelessness, children in foster care, or receiving certain types of public help. Pregnant women may also be eligible for Early Head Start.
• You must apply for a Head Start or Early Head Start program in your community, closest to where you live. There are also over 150 Head Start and Early Head Start programs for American Indian and Alaska Native children.
● Local Requirements for Eligibility
• Contact the Head Start or Early Head Start in your community to find out about their local requirements for enrolling your child.
Application Details
• Your community’s Head Start can help you with understanding local requirements for enrolling your child. They will answer questions, provide you with the required forms, and tell you what documents you should bring with you to apply.
• Because of limited government funding, there are not enough spaces for all eligible children. If there is not a space for you and your child, ask the program to put your family on the waiting list.
How to Find Your Local Head Start Program
• Use the Head Start Locator to find a Head Start program near your home. Call the phone number listed to find out the next steps.
9. Federal Pell Grants for Single Mothers
Only undergraduate students, be it single moms or not, benefit from the Federal Pell Grants award. This undergraduate must display an exceptional financial need and haven’t earned a bachelor’s, graduate, or professional degree before.
The Pell Grant is America’s largest student aid program. It provides grants of up to $6,495 to the neediest students to attend college.
In 2019, over $28 billion in Pell grants for school were awarded to nearly 7 million students nationwide, including nearly 60 per cent of Black students and nearly half of the Latinx students.
This need-based grant offers one way for single mothers of limited means to “go back to school” and re-enter the workforce. And it’s free money that does not need to be repaid.
Note: A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid, except under certain circumstances.
How do I apply for a Federal Pell Grant?
To apply for a Pell Grant, start by submitting a FAFSA® form. Fill out the FAFSA form every year you’re in school and show the financial need to stay eligible for federal student aid.
Eligibility Guidelines for Federal Pell Grant
• Be a U.S. citizen or eligible noncitizen with a valid Social Security number.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Be enrolled in an eligible and taking part degree-granting program as an undergraduate student.
• Not have received an undergraduate, professional, or graduate degree already.
Grants for single mothers are of significant benefit to low income earning moms. This grant can take care of the fees in school and that of their kids. Some grants take care of their nutritional requirement, that’s amazing, right!
You can help a friend even if you are not a single mom by sharing these articles with them on different social media platforms. Please don’t forget to subscribe to get updated anytime we publish new articles.
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