How to Get Help With Bills for Single Mothers

One of the hardest parts of being a mom is raising a family while also juggling a constant stream of bills. If you are overwhelmed by bills that you can’t pay on your own, there are options that you can look for to get help.

If you are a single mom who needs help paying her bills, you should apply to the programs in this list to get assistance. Not every program is available in every region, and you will need to contact these organizations to find out if you are eligible to receive assistance.

These programs typically come in the form of either government assistance, or through the work of private charities.

Government Assistance

One of the most secure ways that single mothers can get help with their bills is by seeking help from their state and federal government. These governments usually sponsor social welfare programs that include things like housing assistance, nutrition assistance, medical coverage, housing, and even unemployment assistance.

Most of these programs are funded by the federal government and controlled by agencies in individual states.

Housing Assistance

There are several programs that the Department of Housing and Urban Development sponsor to alleviate the financial struggle that single mothers face.

One of these programs is Section 8 Housing, which can alleviate the cost of housing for low-income families. This is a voucher that you can submit to your landlord to supplement the cost of your rent. Your landlord then submits this voucher to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for reimbursement.

If you are a single mother who is struggling to pay rent, it is a good idea to look into this program to see if you qualify.

Nutrition Assistance

There are a couple of government sponsored programs out there that can help you put food on your table as a single mother. They do not directly pay any of your bills for you, but they help to pay for your food expenses, which in turn makes it easier for you to pay your other bills.

The two most notable of these programs are SNAP and WIC. SNAP is the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as Food Stamps. There is also WIC, which stands for the national Women, Infants, and Children program.

SNAP is a program that gives food vouchers to low income individuals and families at the start of every month. Single mothers who receive assistance through TANF or other forms of welfare, are still eligible to be a part of the SNAP program.

WIC is a food program that feeds young children, as well as pregnant women and new mothers. There are more restrictions on what recipients of this food program can spend the money on than there are with SNAP. With WIC, recipients can only spend the money on specific nutritious groceries.

Yet another well known form of assistance that the government provides are the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. These ensure that kids are getting healthy meals every day. You can apply to participate in this program by getting in touch with your child’s school.

Medical Bills

Medical bills are another important expense that many single mothers struggle with. This is why it is easier for single mothers raising their family on a low income to get Medicaid benefits than it is for some demographics.

Medicaid is the primary option that single mothers have when it comes to finding an affordable way to pay for their medical bills. This federal program covers the medical bills of certain low-income individuals and families.

If you are struggling to pay for your medical bills, you should check to see if you are eligible for Medicaid in your state, because this might be your best option for covering your medical expenses.

However, Medicaid has more restrictive eligibility requirements than other forms of government aid do. This means that you might not qualify for Medicaid if you are already receiving benefits from another government assistance program.

The Children’s Health Insurance Program is another program that is similar to Medicaid, but focused on pediatric care. It is generally easier for children to qualify to receive the benefits of these programs than it is for adults.

However, if you are a single mother who is struggling to make ends meet, you should check out both of these programs to see if they help you cover your medical expenses.

Unemployment Assistance

The government also offers limited unemployment assistance if you lose your job for a reason that is not your fault. These funds are issued by the federal government and administered through programs run by individual states. This means that the amount of unemployment assistance you can receive and the amount of time that you can receive it will vary from state to state.

Seeking Assistance from Churches and Charities

In addition to the assistance that the government offers, single mothers can also look to their local churches and charity organizations to find the assistance that they need with paying off their bills. There are a lot of charities that specifically focus on helping single mothers and low income families make ends meet.

These are some of the non-profit charities that you can seek help from to alleviate the pressure of your bills.

American Red Cross

If you are recovering from a natural or manmade disaster, the American Red Cross is one of the first organizations that will help you and your family out. They reach people in need both by running emergency shelters and mobile feeding routes.

The American Red Cross does not just respond to major natural disasters. They respond to tens of thousands of incidents every year, many of which are relatively minor disaster situations.

If you have lost your home due to a disaster, they can help provide materials and cover expenses that will help you get your life back on track.

Mercy Housing

Mercy Housing is an organization that wants everyone to have safe, affordable housing. They own hundreds of properties, and each one has its own rules about who can live there. Regardless, if you need to save money and still live in a safe community, moving to a Mercy Housing property can free up a lot of room in your budget.

Bridge of Hope

Bridge of Hope operates in nearly a dozen states now. The goal of this organization is to help get homeless families into safe homes. They have a corporate office in Pennsylvania that does not provide direct services, but you can find more information about getting help from this organization by visiting their web page.

Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities is a charity network run by the Catholic Church that provides emergency relief to people in need. They provide services that help with medical costs, housing expenses, and disaster relief.

If you can find a Catholic Charities chapter in your area, you should see what resources they can offer you to help you make ends meet.

Final Thoughts

Being a single mother is tough, but you do not have to struggle alone. There are programs out there that can help you find the resources you need to make ends meet to support you and your family. Whether you need help with food, clothing, medical care, housing, or childcare, you can find the assistance that you need.

Learn more about Grants and Government Assistance Programs for Single Mothers.