Grants for Single Mothers in North Dakota (2026 Guide)

Where to start in North Dakota

Start with the need that could hurt your family first. Food, safe housing, heat, medical care, and child care often need attention before a long search for grants.

For a national explanation of benefits, scholarships, vouchers, and local aid, use ASMOM’s real help guide as background while following North Dakota’s application steps.

Quick reference: which program fits?

Cash, food, WIC, and child support

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

North Dakota TANF provides cash assistance with work-readiness, training, and job-placement services. Benefits are issued on an Electronic Payment Card. The amount depends on eligible family members, countable income, and allowed work or child care expenses.

Most adults who receive TANF are referred to the Job Opportunity and Basic Skills program, called JOBS. Federal and state rules generally limit an adult household to 60 months of TANF, although exceptions may apply in some situations.

TANF normally requires cooperation with child support. If cooperation could put you or your child at risk, ask privately about a good-cause claim before giving information that may affect safety. ASMOM’s North Dakota TANF guide explains the program in more detail.

SNAP food benefits

The official North Dakota SNAP page lists current income tests and benefit amounts. For October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, a four-person household has a listed 130% gross-income limit of $3,483 per month. The maximum possible four-person benefit is $994 when there is no countable income, but most households receive less.

Apply through the Self-Service Portal or a Human Service Zone office. Great Plains Food Bank can help with an application at 855-405-0000. Starting in September 2026, North Dakota’s Healthy Choice Waiver will restrict some products that can be bought with SNAP, so watch state notices for the final shopping rules.

ASMOM’s North Dakota SNAP guide covers interviews, EBT, and food resources.

WIC nutrition support

North Dakota WIC serves eligible pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding people, infants, and children under age 5. A father, grandparent, foster parent, or other caregiver may apply for a child.

Households receiving Medicaid, TANF, or SNAP are income-eligible for WIC. Other households may qualify under the WIC income chart. The clinic also checks for a nutrition or health need. ASMOM’s North Dakota WIC guide gives clinic and appointment steps.

Child support services

North Dakota Child Support helps establish parentage, financial and medical support orders, payment processing, enforcement, and some order reviews. A case may open automatically when a family receives TANF, Medicaid, or foster care services.

Child support is not guaranteed income. Payments depend on an order, the paying parent’s circumstances, and enforcement. If abuse, stalking, or coercion is involved, speak with an advocate before taking steps that may reveal contact or location information.

Health coverage and child care

Medicaid and CHIP

The Medicaid eligibility page lists income limits effective April 1, 2026. For a family of four, the monthly limit is $4,180 for children through age 5, $3,795 for children ages 6 through 18, and $5,638 for CHIP. Pregnancy Medicaid lists a four-person monthly limit of $4,813, and the unborn child counts in family size.

Adults ages 19 through 64 who do not fit another group may qualify under Medicaid Expansion up to 138% of the federal poverty level. The four-person monthly limit is $3,795. Parents and caretaker relatives also have a separate, lower-income coverage group.

Children who remain North Dakota residents receive up to 12 months of continuous eligibility after approval. A person covered during pregnancy receives 12 months of postpartum coverage. Federal changes are affecting some SNAP and Medicaid eligibility rules in 2026, so keep your mailing address, phone number, and renewal information current.

ASMOM’s North Dakota health guide covers Medicaid, clinics, prescriptions, and dental options.

Child Care Assistance Program

The CCAP program page lists a maximum monthly income of $8,119 for a family of four through September 30, 2026. Eligible families generally must work or take part in approved education or training. Most families have a copay and may owe any provider charge above the state payment.

The CCAP waitlist remains active for many new applicants. Families experiencing homelessness and families at or below 30% of state median income receive priority. Families receiving TANF and families in the Crossroads program are not placed on the waitlist.

Waitlist payments are not backdated. When funding becomes available, a family has 10 days to respond. Beginning April 1, 2026, a child generally must attend at least 40 hours during the service month for a CCAP payment. Keep contact information current and answer every notice.

ASMOM’s North Dakota child care guide explains the waitlist, providers, copays, and other care options.

Housing, rent, heating, and utilities

Housing and rent help

North Dakota housing help is local. The ND Housing renter page lists rental programs, affordable-housing resources, and contacts. Public housing and Housing Choice Voucher waiting lists are managed by local housing agencies and may be open, closed, or limited to certain areas.

If you are behind on rent, call the landlord before court papers are filed and ask for a written payment plan. Then contact 211, the local housing authority, and the Community Action agency serving your region. If you receive a three-day notice or court papers, get legal help quickly because eviction cases move fast.

ASMOM’s North Dakota housing guide explains affordable rentals, vouchers, shelter, and tenant resources.

LIHEAP and energy help

North Dakota LIHEAP accepts applications year-round. For the 2025–26 program year, a four-person household has a monthly income limit of $6,497. Both homeowners and renters may apply, while tribal LIHEAP programs serve many tribal members living on reservations.

LIHEAP may help with approved heating costs and can connect eligible households with cooling devices, furnace cleaning or repair, emergency help, Energy Share, and weatherization. If you have no fuel, a shutoff notice, furnace trouble, or another energy emergency, say that clearly when you contact the Customer Support Center.

LIHEAP now continues through each household’s eligibility period rather than ending automatically in spring. Return the annual review on time to prevent a gap. ASMOM’s North Dakota utility guide gives more shutoff and bill-help steps.

School food, education grants, work, and taxes

Summer EBT and school meals

The 2026 Summer EBT portal provides $120 for each eligible school-age child. Some children are approved automatically. Families directed to use the alternative income application must submit it by August 31, 2026.

North Dakota also pays for breakfast and lunch for students whose households qualify under federal rules or the state’s expanded income level of 225% of the federal poverty guideline. Use the school meal page and ask your school whether an application is needed.

College grants and FAFSA

Complete the FAFSA each year for federal Pell Grants, work-study, student loans, the North Dakota State Grant, and school aid. The State Grant page says funding is limited, so filing early improves the chance of receiving an award.

After the FAFSA is processed, ask the college financial-aid office about state aid, emergency grants, child care, campus jobs, and scholarships. ASMOM’s North Dakota education guide explains these options.

Job Service and WIOA

Job Service training connects eligible adults, dislocated workers, and young people with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act services. Approved help may include career planning, classroom training, books, fees, supplies, transportation, child care, work clothing, or other support needed for the employment plan.

Ask a WIOA adviser before paying. Support services normally must be approved first and are not guaranteed for every participant.

Tax credits and free filing

Working families may qualify for federal tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and Child and Dependent Care Credit. Eligibility depends on income, filing status, qualifying children, and current tax rules.

The state lists free tax preparation through VITA and AARP Tax-Aide locations during filing season. Services and appointment rules vary by site.

Community Action, rural areas, and local help

North Dakota’s seven Community Action agencies provide locally designed anti-poverty services. The official Community Action directory lists the agency serving each region.

Depending on local funding, an agency may offer emergency assistance, housing counseling, energy services, weatherization, case management, budgeting help, outreach, referrals, or limited transportation and household support. Call before traveling because programs and intake rules change.

Rural families should ask about phone appointments, online document upload, transportation support, mobile outreach, and the nearest service location. Ask what documents, appointments, and local funding rules apply before the first visit.

If violence or stalking affects housing, benefits, child support, or work, use ASMOM’s North Dakota safety guide for advocacy and legal-support starting points.

Documents to gather before applying

You do not need every paper before asking for help. Still, common documents can prevent delays. ASMOM’s documents checklist can help you organize one file for several applications.