Frankly Single motherhood is serious
business. Sometimes, it's hard to make it on your own. Balancing the care of your children and
meeting your basic needs too, is a juggling act and as such even the best taskmasters can do
better with a little help from time to time. If you are doing everything by yourself – bills,
daycare expenses, and all your other obligations – and you are barely staying afloat, read
on.
Whether you know it or not, many grant options are out there that provide help for
single moms. Everything from housing to medical expenses to funding your return to school
is possible if you use the grants available to you - courtesy of your state and federal
government.
Federal Government Grants for Single Moms
The federal government is a great place to find grants to help
you with things like housing and school if you are a single mother. These federal
government programs have been around for a very long time, are easy to apply to, and will
always pay on time.
If you want to return to
school, filling out a FAFSA form on the U.S. Department of Education's website is the first step you should take. The FAFSA will
automatically apply you for a Federal Pell Grant, and you are almost certain to qualify if
you are raising children on your own and you are making medium-to-low-income as shown in
your tax returns. Government school grants for single mothers are a great
way to finally finish your education and move forward in your career.
If you need help with housing, federal government grants for single mothers
can assist you with that as well. If you visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) website, you will
find a portal that asks you about your housing needs. The portal will direct you to the
appropriate applications and resources that you need to apply for federal government
grants for single moms and other assistance from HUD. Some of this assistance
includes:
- Obtaining rental assistance
- Buying a house
- The chance to speak with a housing counselor
- Avoiding Foreclosure
State Government Grants for Single Moms
State
government grants for single
mothers vary depending on your state of residence. In order to determine what
grants your state has to offer, you need to find your local Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS) and make an appointment to speak with a caseworker. There, you can find out
about state-level grants to help you. Some state grants allow money for the following areas:
- Groceries (food stamps)
- Housing
- Utility bills
- In-state college tuition
The great thing about visiting your local DHHS office is that you don't need to fill out
lots of different applications to determine what you may qualify for. The state-provided
caseworker will interview you and handle the paperwork for you. You only need to provide honest
and accurate answers, furnish any documentation quickly when requested, and stay on top of all
of your appointments.
Ask your caseworker about state grants when you are at your appointment. If your caseworker seems confused or tells you that no state level
grants are available for you, ask to speak to a supervisor. Sometimes people in
bureaucratic agencies can be misinformed. The best way to deal with them is to remain composed
and go above their heads to ask the tough questions.
