Community Support for Single Mothers in Wyoming

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:

Quick reference table

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, see Wyoming SNAP. Apply using the state’s paper form and submit it to a local DFS office, by mail, fax, or email. You may need an interview. The interview-only line is 307-777-8550 after you have filed. For your case status, contact your local DFS office instead. If you have very little income or food, ask whether you qualify for expedited SNAP, which can issue benefits within seven days to eligible households.

If you are pregnant, recently had a baby, are breastfeeding, or care for a child under 5, check Wyoming WIC. WIC can offer approved foods, breastfeeding support, nutrition help, and referrals. It does not replace SNAP, and some households may receive both. Ask your local WIC clinic how to schedule a visit.

For diapers, wipes, formula or baby gear, ask a local family resource center, church pantry, WIC clinic or 211 whether any supplies are available. In Albany County, the Laramie Interfaith diaper pantry lists diapers, wipes, and hygiene items; in Teton County, the Jackson Cupboard at One22 lists diapers among its supplies. WIC does not provide diapers, and a food pantry may not stock formula. Ask before making a long trip.

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 winter bills, Wyoming LIEAP and Weatherization serve different needs. LIEAP helps with part of a heating bill during its October 1–April 30 application season; income and household rules apply. For 2026–27, DFS says LIEAP covers eligible heating bills dated October 1, 2026, or later, and seasonal credits may be used through May 31, 2027, or until they run out. Weatherization may pay for home improvements that cut energy use and is not quick cash for an overdue bill. For a last-resort emergency after other sources are tried, Energy Share may cover a one-time payment of up to $500 per household if you qualify and funds are available. Ask your local Salvation Army how to request it.

Local nonprofits differ by county. WYO HELP serves Carbon, Crook, Goshen, Niobrara, Washakie, and Weston counties. Not all help is open to everyone: some WYO HELP services in Crook County and Washakie County are limited to participants in named local partner programs. Check your county page before you apply or travel. Ask about other Community Action and food partners if you cannot use that service. Interfaith of Natrona County may help eligible Natrona County households with IDs, clothing, toiletries, some prescriptions, gas for medical or work trips, and rent or utility bills when funded. It has separate forms for housing and utility requests.

In Albany County, Laramie Interfaith offers food access and may help qualifying households with one-time rent or utility costs. In Teton County, One22 Resource Center offers emergency help after a sudden setback. Its program generally calls for six months of work averaging at least 30 hours a week in Teton County, though it says this can be flexible. Income and repeat-assistance rules also apply. Its rent program has separate rules. Contact each group before going to ask if it serves your ZIP code and has funds now.

For a shelter in Cheyenne, COMEA offers emergency shelter, meals, showers, and case management; its Destination Home program serves families. Ask about space and any residency limits. In Casper, Seton House provides longer-term housing and coaching for eligible single-parent families experiencing homelessness. It has an inquiry, full application, possible waitlist, and monthly program fee. It is not an emergency domestic violence shelter. Ask for a different safe shelter if danger is your urgent need. These options are not instant or guaranteed.

If you need a bed tonight, tell 211 your location, your children’s ages, and whether you have a car. If no shelter can take your family, ask about other shelters or short-term placements. For household goods after a move or crisis, see the Wyoming furniture help guide and ask local groups what they have now.

Cash assistance, child care, and work support

Wyoming’s POWER program is the state’s TANF cash assistance. POWER Work supports eligible families with children through work and case-management steps. The separate POWER Caretaker Relative program is for some relatives raising children whose parents are not in the home. Participation, income and other rules apply, so ask DFS which path fits your home. See Wyoming TANF assistance for the full application path.

For child care, Wyoming’s child care subsidy can help families pay for approved care while a parent works, attends school or training, or meets certain job-search rules. DFS directs new applicants to the ECARES system. Income, activity, child needs, provider eligibility, and care hours matter. The state may pay only part of the cost, so ask about your share and what your provider charges. Read the Wyoming child care guide for more steps.

For work and training, Climb Wyoming offers free job training and support designed for single mothers. It may help with barriers such as child care, transportation, family needs, and finding work. Contact your area office to ask about enrollment and training dates. For school or career costs, ask the financial aid office at your college or training program about scholarships, grants, workforce funding, and help for student parents. These are separate from TANF, and no award or training seat is promised.

Legal, safety, and health support

Legal and safety issues can affect housing, custody, benefits, work, and school. This is general information, not legal advice or an individual safety plan. If someone is tracking your online activity, using a safer device or asking an advocate about private ways to connect may help. The Wyoming coalition’s local directory can help you find domestic violence and sexual assault advocates by county. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

For civil legal problems, WYLawHelp lists resources by income and legal need. Equal Justice Wyoming helps people find civil legal aid and self-help resources. Its statewide Legal Aid hotline is 877-432-9955, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., as listed by Wyoming courts. For more background, see ASMOM’s Wyoming legal aid guide and family safety resources.

For medical coverage, Medicaid and Kid Care CHIP may cover eligible children, pregnant women, and other people who meet program rules. Call 1-855-294-2127 or use the state application page to apply or renew. The state says many applications take up to 45 days, but requests for more proof or disability reviews can take longer. Medicaid and Kid Care CHIP never charge money to enroll or renew. Wyoming also reports immigration-related eligibility changes effective October 1, 2026. If you receive a notice about your case, contact the state; for immigration questions, seek qualified legal help. Check your official notice before making coverage decisions.

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.

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.

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.

If DFS denied or closed SNAP, POWER, child care, or Medicaid, read the written notice. It should say why and how to ask for a review or hearing. The deadline depends on the program. Keep the envelope, notice, application proof, and the date you called. Ask the agency and, if needed, legal aid about your next step. Do not assume a charity referral is the same as an appeal.

Phone scripts