Community Support for Single Mothers in Utah

Where to start

Begin with the need that could harm your family first. You can work on other needs after the first call or application is moving.

Quick reference

Utah 211 and local support

Utah 211 connects residents with food, housing, health care, utilities, transportation, income support, employment, education, and other community services. It usually does not pay a bill directly. It gives referrals to programs that may be able to help.

Ask the navigator to search by ZIP code and county. Tell them whether you have a shutoff notice, eviction notice, court date, medical need, young children, disability, or no safe place to sleep. Ask for the program name, phone number, hours, documents, and whether you should call before going.

Community Action agencies are another strong local path. Utah has nine agencies with different service areas. Use the Community Action directory to find the agency serving your county. The ASMOM Community Action guide explains what these agencies may offer and why services differ.

SNAP, cash assistance, and Medicaid

Utah’s current application and case system is myCase. The MyDoorway pages can explain programs, but myCase is where families apply, upload proof, check notices, and manage benefits.

SNAP food assistance

SNAP helps eligible households buy groceries. Utah says benefits can begin from the application date, so file as soon as food is low. You do not need every document just to submit the first application. Some households that meet expedited rules may receive SNAP within seven days after required steps are completed.

Use the official Utah SNAP guide or call DWS at 1-866-435-7414. The ASMOM Utah SNAP page covers interviews, case notices, and pantry backup help.

Family Employment Program

Utah’s Family Employment Program is the state’s TANF cash-assistance path. It can include financial help and employment services for families that meet program rules. Work activities, household information, income, and child support rules may apply.

The ASMOM Utah TANF guide explains the program and questions to ask before completing an employment plan.

Medicaid and CHIP

Utah Medicaid covers eligible children, pregnant people, adults, older residents, and people with disabilities. Apply online through DWS or use the official Medicaid application page. Report pregnancy, household, income, address, and insurance changes.

The ASMOM Utah health guide covers Medicaid, CHIP, clinics, and other care options.

Food, WIC, and summer meals

Use SNAP and local food programs together when groceries are low. The Utah pantry finder lets you search by address or ZIP code and filter for sites that may be open today. Open the location details and call before traveling because schedules and supplies can change.

WIC

WIC provides healthy foods, nutrition help, breastfeeding support, and referrals for eligible pregnant people, postpartum parents, infants, and children under 5. If you receive Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF, your income already meets the WIC income test, but the clinic must still complete certification.

Use the official Utah WIC application to find a clinic. The ASMOM Utah WIC guide explains common appointment documents.

Meals for children

Utah’s Summer Food Service Program provides free meals or snacks at approved sites for children and teens age 18 and under. Use the summer meals page and check the 2026 site dates before going.

For diapers, children’s clothing, cribs, car seats, and baby supplies, call 211 and ask your WIC clinic, health department, hospital, or Community Action agency. The ASMOM Utah baby-items guide provides more options.

Housing, shelter, rent, and eviction help

Emergency shelter, rent help, housing vouchers, mediation, and legal aid are separate paths. Call 211 for the system serving your county.

If you are in Salt Lake County and are homeless or at risk, call the Homeless Connections Hotline at 801-990-9999. It connects callers with emergency shelter options and community resources. Calling does not guarantee a bed or permanent housing.

Utah Community Action primarily serves Salt Lake and Tooele counties for many services. Its local help page lists rental-assistance intake, mediation, HEAT, and other support. Other counties use different Community Action agencies.

The ASMOM Utah housing guide covers shelters, rent help, public housing, vouchers, and tenant resources.

Utility help and weatherization

The Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) Program helps eligible low-income households with home energy costs. Utah lists HEAT as year-round assistance. The program year runs from October 1 through September 30 or until federal funds run out.

As of July 18, 2026, the 2025-26 program year is scheduled through September 30, but the local office must confirm that funds and appointments remain. If shutoff is close, call the utility and the local HEAT office on the same day.

Use the official Utah HEAT page for the program and the local HEAT offices page to submit an application or documents. Crisis assistance may be available when a household is in danger of shutoff and meets the rules.

Weatherization may help lower future costs through approved home-energy work. It is not a same-day bill payment. The ASMOM Utah utility guide covers shutoff notices, payment plans, and other bill-help paths.

Child care and family support

Child Care Assistance

Utah Child Care Assistance helps eligible families pay part of approved child care costs. Once approved, DWS sends the subsidy to the provider selected by the parent. The case is generally reviewed every 12 months, but families must report required changes.

The subsidy may not cover the provider’s full charge. Ask the provider what you will owe before care starts. Use the official child care assistance page and search providers through Care About Childcare. The ASMOM Utah child care guide gives a fuller application checklist.

Head Start and crisis child care

Head Start and Early Head Start can provide early learning, meals, health support, and family services. Use the federal Head Start locator to find programs and ask about waitlists and transportation.

In the Salt Lake Valley, the Family Support Center offers free crisis child care for children ages 0 through 11 when caregivers need short-term safe care. Call first because locations, hours, and available spaces may change.

Legal, safety, and crisis support

This section is general information, not legal or safety advice. If there is immediate danger, call 911.

Free civil legal help

Utah Legal Services provides free civil legal help to people who qualify. Issues may include housing, family law, public benefits, domestic violence, and consumer problems. Apply online or call 801-328-8891. Help depends on eligibility, facts, staff, and priorities.

The Utah Courts self-help center provides forms and information about evictions, protective orders, custody, child support, fee waivers, and other court matters. The ASMOM Utah legal guide lists more starting points.

Domestic violence support

The Utah Domestic Violence Coalition LINKLine is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day. Call or text Utah LINKLine at 1-800-897-5465 for local advocacy and shelter referrals.

Rural, Tribal, and transportation help

Utah programs often serve several counties. Confirm the service area, intake method, and documents before driving. CAP Utah’s directory lists agencies for northern, central, southeastern, Uintah Basin, and southern Utah.

Some Tribal Nations operate separate LIHEAP, TANF, child care, housing, health, or victim-service programs. Ask the Tribal program which application to use. State forms may ask whether the household can receive Tribal assistance.

If transportation blocks work, school, medical care, shelter, or benefit appointments, ask 211, Medicaid, the school, clinic, Community Action agency, or Tribal social services about local rides or mileage help.

Documents and information to gather

Do not delay an urgent call because one paper is missing. Ask what substitute proof is accepted and when missing information is due. The ASMOM documents checklist can help you organize secure copies.

If help is denied, delayed, or closed

Ask for the reason in writing. Find out whether the issue is a missing interview, unsigned form, income proof, wrong office, unavailable provider, closed funding, or missed deadline.

1. Read the notice. Mark the hearing or appeal deadline.
2. Correct missing proof. Use an accepted method and keep confirmation.
3. Request review on time. Many DWS public-assistance decisions can be appealed within 90 days of the notice.
4. Protect urgent needs. An appeal may not stop eviction, shutoff, or food loss. Call 211 and legal aid while the case is reviewed.

Use the official DWS hearing page for SNAP, financial, medical, child care, and other DWS programs. Follow the deadline and instructions on your own notice. The ASMOM benefits problem guide explains how to organize notices and follow-up.