Last updated: May 20, 2026
Bottom line
If you are a single mother in Wyoming and need local help, start with Wyoming 211. You can dial 211, call 1-888-425-7138, text your ZIP code to 898211, or use the 211 search to look for food, rent help, utility help, shelter, diapers, legal aid, transportation, and health services near your county.
Community support is not one single program. It is a mix of state benefit offices, local nonprofits, food pantries, churches, shelters, legal aid groups, workforce programs, and family resource centers. The best first step is to pick the need that cannot wait, call the right place, and ask what documents are needed before you spend time traveling.
This guide also points to related ASMOM pages for deeper help, including emergency help, Wyoming food help, housing help, and local 211 help.
Urgent help in Wyoming
If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. If you are unsafe because of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or dating violence, contact a local advocate through the WCADVSA directory. Advocates can explain shelter, safety planning, court support, and local options. Use a safe phone or a trusted device when possible.
If your family needs food today, use the Food Bank finder to search by city or ZIP code. Some sites have limited hours, and the Food Bank of Wyoming says its distribution center does not give food directly to the public, so use the finder before you go.
If your heat or power is at risk, check the state LIEAP page and ask 211 about local emergency funds. As of May 20, 2026, Wyoming says LIEAP is not accepting applications for the 2025-2026 heating season, but Weatherization remains available and the next LIEAP season is expected to open in early fall 2026.
Where to start
Wyoming is a rural state, so help may look different from county to county. A program in Cheyenne may not serve Casper. A pantry in Laramie may have different hours than one in Rock Springs. Some groups help only if funds are available. Some require you to live or work in a certain county.
Use this simple order when everything feels urgent:
1. Safety first
Call 911 for immediate danger. If abuse is involved, call a domestic violence advocate before you make housing or legal moves.
2. Food today
Use a pantry or mobile food site. Then apply for SNAP or WIC if your family may qualify.
3. Housing next
Call 211 and your local housing nonprofit before eviction, shutoff, or shelter deadlines get worse.
4. Long-term support
Ask about child care help, POWER, job training, health coverage, child support, and legal aid.
Quick reference table
| Need | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Food this week | Search the Food Bank map or call 211. | Hours and items vary by pantry. Call before driving far. |
| Food money | Apply through Wyoming SNAP and ask DFS how to submit proof. | SNAP is separate from TEFAP food boxes and pantry help. |
| Pregnancy or young child nutrition | Contact Wyoming WIC or a local WIC clinic. | WIC is for pregnant women, new moms, infants, and children up to age 5. |
| Rent or shelter | Call 211, local shelters, and county nonprofits. | Funds are limited. Shelter rules, openings, and service areas change. |
| Utility shutoff | Check LIEAP, Energy Share, and local nonprofit funds. | Bring the shutoff notice and account number if you have them. |
| Legal problem | Use WYLawHelp or Equal Justice Wyoming. | Legal aid is usually civil legal help, not criminal defense. |
Food, diapers, and baby basics
For same-week food, start with local food pantries and mobile distributions. The Food Bank of Wyoming lets you search free food sites by location, day, and program type. DFS also explains that TEFAP food is separate from SNAP and is offered through local distribution sites for eligible households.
For monthly grocery help, check Wyoming SNAP. SNAP can take paperwork and an interview. If you already applied and need to complete an interview, DFS lists a separate interview line. For case questions, use your local DFS office, not the interview-only line.
If you are pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or caring for a child under 5, check Wyoming WIC. WIC may help with healthy foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition coaching, and referrals. It does not replace SNAP, and you can ask about both. For more food details, see ASMOM’s SNAP guide and WIC guide.
Tip for rural families
Ask 211 for the nearest pantry, mobile pantry, diaper bank, and church pantry in one call. If you do not have gas money, ask whether any site offers delivery, proxy pickup, or a closer partner site.
Housing, shelter, and utility support
If you have a notice from a landlord or utility company, do not wait for the final day. Call 211 and ask for rent, utility, shelter, and prevention referrals in your county. Also check ASMOM’s utility guide for more details.
For energy bills, Wyoming’s LIEAP and Weatherization programs are handled through DFS. LIEAP is seasonal. Weatherization may help eligible households reduce energy costs through home energy improvements. For emergency energy gaps after other help is tried, Energy Share may help with a one-time payment of up to $500 when funds and eligibility allow.
Local nonprofit help depends on where you live. WYO HELP serves Carbon, Crook, Goshen, Niobrara, Washakie, and Weston counties with community action services, emergency assistance, and food access. Interfaith Natrona helps qualifying Natrona County residents with items such as IDs, clothing, toiletries, prescriptions, gas for work or medical visits, and rent or utility help when funding allows.
In Albany County, Laramie Interfaith provides food resources and housing help, including rental and utility assistance for those who qualify. In Teton County, One22 emergency help may support low- to moderate-income households who live or work in Teton County and face a sudden setback.
If you need shelter in Cheyenne, COMEA shelter provides emergency shelter, meals, showers, case management, family support, and housing services in Laramie County. In Casper, Seton House is a self-sufficiency housing program for single-parent families struggling with homelessness. For broader rural barriers, see ASMOM’s rural help page.
Cash assistance, child care, and work support
If your family needs cash help and employment support, check the Wyoming POWER page. POWER is Wyoming’s TANF cash assistance program. DFS describes POWER Work as help for families with children to move toward employment or financial stability. It may also include child support assistance. For a deeper state page, see ASMOM’s Wyoming TANF guide.
For child care, Wyoming’s child care subsidy may help low-income families pay for care while parents work, look for work, or attend school or training. DFS says the amount paid depends on family income and the cost of care, and parents may still owe part of the bill. Ask the local DFS office what proof of work, school, income, and child information is needed. ASMOM also has a Wyoming child care page.
For job training built around single mothers, Climb Wyoming offers free job training for single moms and connects participants with support for food, housing, child care, legal services, mental health, and employers. Climb says it has offices serving several Wyoming areas. If training is not a fit yet, ask 211 about workforce centers, transportation help, and short-term child care options. ASMOM’s job training guide can help you compare next steps.
Legal, safety, and health support
Legal and safety issues can affect housing, custody, benefits, work, and school. This article is general information only, not legal or safety advice. If there is abuse, stalking, sexual assault, or threats, contact an advocate before taking steps that could increase danger. The WCADVSA directory can help you find local advocacy programs across Wyoming.
For civil legal help, WYLawHelp helps people find organizations based on income and legal topic. Equal Justice Wyoming is a Wyoming Judicial Branch program that works to expand civil legal services and resources for low-income people. For more details, see ASMOM’s Wyoming legal help page and family safety page.
For health coverage, Wyoming Medicaid and Kid Care CHIP may help eligible children, pregnant women, parents, and other groups. Wyoming says you can apply or renew online or by phone at 1-855-294-2127. The state also warns that Medicaid and Kid Care CHIP never charge money to enroll or re-enroll. For children, pregnancy, and family coverage basics, see ASMOM’s Medicaid guide.
Documents and information to gather
You may not need every item below. Still, having a small folder can save time, especially if you must call several offices in the same week.
| Type of help | Common items to ask about | Do not wait if missing |
|---|---|---|
| Food pantry | ID, address, household size, proxy form if someone picks up food. | Many pantries can still explain options if you lack ID. |
| SNAP, POWER, child care | Income, rent, utility bills, child care costs, IDs, Social Security numbers if available, school or work schedule. | Submit the application and ask how to turn in proof later. |
| Rent or utility help | Lease, notice, bill, shutoff notice, account number, landlord contact, proof of income. | Call before court, lockout, or shutoff deadlines. |
| Legal aid | Court papers, notices, letters, lease, orders, dates, names, and safe contact method. | Ask about urgent deadlines even before you have every paper. |
| Health coverage | Income, household members, pregnancy status, current insurance, renewal notice if you have one. | Do not ignore renewal mail or texts from the state. |
Regional starting points
This table is not a full list. It gives a practical first call in several Wyoming areas. If your county is not listed, use Wyoming 211 and ask for your county’s closest nonprofit, church fund, food pantry, DFS office, and legal aid referral.
| Area | Starting point | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide | Wyoming 211 | Ask for food, rent, utility, shelter, diapers, legal, and transportation referrals. |
| Cheyenne / Laramie County | COMEA and local DFS | Ask about shelter, family services, SNAP, POWER, and child care subsidy. |
| Casper / Natrona County | Interfaith Natrona and Seton House | Ask about rent, utilities, IDs, prescriptions, and single-parent housing. |
| Laramie / Albany County | Laramie Interfaith | Ask about pantry, rent, utility, TEFAP, and housing resources. |
| Jackson / Teton County | One22 Resource Center | Ask about emergency assistance, food, language access, and child care needs. |
| Rural counties | WYO HELP or 211 | Ask which agency serves your county and what funds are open. |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Waiting until the shutoff or court date. Many programs need time to check documents, contact a landlord, or confirm a bill.
- Calling only one place. If one fund is out, ask for a referral to another pantry, church, community action agency, or charity.
- Assuming all help is statewide. Many Wyoming nonprofits serve only certain counties.
- Paying a fee to apply for Medicaid or CHIP. Wyoming says Medicaid and Kid Care CHIP do not charge to enroll or re-enroll.
- Sharing unsafe contact details. If abuse is involved, tell the advocate or legal aid office what phone, email, or mailing address is safe.
What to do if you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
If a program says no, ask why. The reason matters. You may be outside the service area, over income, missing proof, applying in the wrong season, or asking for a cost the program does not cover. Ask whether you can fix the issue, appeal, reapply later, or get a referral.
If you applied for benefits and have not heard back, write down the date you applied, the office you used, the worker or phone number, and what documents you gave. Then call the official office and ask what is still missing. For Medicaid and Kid Care CHIP, Wyoming says applications can take up to 45 days to process, so ask about urgent health needs if you cannot wait.
If you are overwhelmed, pick one person to help you make calls. This could be a 211 specialist, school social worker, clinic worker, domestic violence advocate, church volunteer, case manager, or trusted family member. You do not have to tell your whole story to everyone. Start with the deadline, the county, the number of children, and the exact help needed.
Backup options when funds are out
- Ask 211 for a second and third referral in your ZIP code.
- Ask a pantry whether another pantry is open today.
- Ask a utility company about a payment plan while you seek aid.
- Ask a school about McKinney-Vento support if your child lacks stable housing.
- Ask legal aid about deadlines if you received eviction, custody, debt, or benefit papers.
- Ask about transportation help if the only open office is far away. ASMOM’s transportation page may help.
Phone scripts
Call 211
“Hi, I am a single mother in [county or ZIP]. I need help with [food, rent, shelter, utility, diapers, legal help]. My deadline is [date]. Can you give me the closest open programs and tell me what documents to bring?”
Call a pantry
“Hi, I need food for my household this week. Are you open today or this week? Do I need ID, proof of address, or an appointment? Can someone else pick up for me if I cannot get there?”
Call rent or utility help
“Hi, I have a [rent notice, eviction paper, shutoff notice] dated [date]. I live in [county]. Do you have funds right now, and should I send my lease, bill, proof of income, or landlord contact?”
Call legal aid
“Hi, I need civil legal help with [eviction, custody, benefits, debt, protection order]. I have a deadline on [date]. I need a safe way to be contacted at [safe phone or email]. What should I do first?”
Resumen en español
Si eres madre soltera en Wyoming y necesitas ayuda, empieza con Wyoming 211. Puedes llamar al 211 o al 1-888-425-7138, mandar tu código postal por texto al 898211, o buscar recursos en línea.
Para comida, usa el buscador del Food Bank of Wyoming. Para ayuda con alimentos mensuales, pregunta por SNAP. Si estás embarazada, eres mamá reciente, o tienes un niño menor de 5 años, pregunta por WIC.
Si tienes un aviso de corte de luz, gas, renta atrasada, desalojo, violencia doméstica, o una fecha de corte, llama lo más pronto posible. Los fondos cambian y algunos programas solo ayudan a ciertos condados.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best first call for community support in Wyoming?
Start with Wyoming 211. A specialist can search by ZIP code for food, rent, utility, shelter, diapers, legal aid, transportation, and local nonprofit help.
Can single mothers get emergency cash in Wyoming?
Some help may be cash assistance, such as Wyoming POWER, while many local programs pay a landlord, utility, or vendor directly. Approval depends on eligibility, documents, funding, and local rules.
Where can I get food quickly in Wyoming?
Use the Food Bank of Wyoming finder, call 211, and ask about mobile pantries, TEFAP sites, church pantries, and meal programs near your ZIP code.
Does Wyoming have help for child care?
Yes. Wyoming DFS has a child care subsidy program for eligible families when parents are working, looking for work, or in approved school or training. Parents may still owe part of the cost.
What if I am unsafe at home?
Call 911 if there is immediate danger. For domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or dating violence, contact a local advocate through the Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
What if a program says no?
Ask for the exact reason, whether you can appeal or reapply, and whether they can refer you to another program. If you have a court, shutoff, or benefits deadline, tell them the date.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified May 20, 2026, next review August 20, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.