Financial Assistance Programs for Women

Are you a woman in the United States wondering about financial assistance programs? Well, the good news is, there are many in place that may be able to help you. Sometimes we all need a helping hand to get back on our feet, or to reach the point of self-sufficiency for the first time, and these programs are meant to help with that process. Here are the top programs to check out:

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

TANF is a program for low-income families in need. If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can receive cash benefits, as well as child care and occupational training. As the title states, the financial assistance is temporary. It is meant to help families get the help they need to become self-sufficient so does have an expiration date. While the program is focused on families with both parents in the home, benefits may be able to single parents but you will be required to participate in qualified work activities for 30 hours per week. If this sounds like the helping hand you need, reach out to your state department of social services.

To learn more about TANF, click here.

Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

The WIC program program provides Federal grants to each state. The states then provide low income mothers with benefits to help them obtain proper nutrition. The benefits include free nutrition education, health care referrals, and supplemental foods. You can qualify if your are pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you have a child that is five years old or younger. Read the full list of eligibility requirements here. This program can help women who are mothers, or soon-to-be mothers, with their food costs while also ensuring that they are getting the proper nutrition for themselves and their children. Learn more about WIC here.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Energy costs are a part of everyone’s monthly budget and can take a big chunk out of your monthly income. To help keep some of that money in your pocketbook, you can apply to enroll in the LIHEAP program. It is another Federal program that is administered at the state level. If you qualify, you can gain assistance with energy-related home repairs, weatherization, and home energy bills. It includes a special service for those who are at risk of having their electricity or gas disconnected where it helps to make an immediate payment and keep the services running. Learn more about the program here. Or to apply, find your state LIHEAP office here.  

Subsidized Housing

Housing is the biggest expense for most people, so if you can get financial assistance, it can help you to make ends meet more easily. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a few programs that can help. For one, The Section 8 Housing Voucher Program enables you to find your own qualifying place and receive a housing voucher which pays for a percentage of the monthly rent (or mortgage). Public housing is also available which provides people in need (low-income, seniors, disabled) with affordable apartments. Lastly, privately owned subsidized housing is a program in which HUD helps landlords to offer select tenants reduced rent. To learn more about all of these programs click here. To get this assistance, you will need to contact a housing couseling agency in your state. Find one here.

Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Medicaid and CHIP are healthcare insurance programs which are low-cost or free for people in need. If you qualify, you can get the healthcare you need for yourself and/or your children without paying more than you need to out-of-pocket. This kind of assistance can again help you to have more income available for making ends meet. Plus, you won’t have to sacrifice your health. Learn more about Medicaid here and CHIP here.

While it can be stressful to be a woman in a situation where you don’t know how you are going to put food on the table, buy the clothes you need, or pay rent, these financial assistance programs can help. Check each one out and see if you can possibly qualify. Whie they may not be long-term solutions, they can give you the help you need now to get to a better place.