Grants for Single Mothers in Utah

Utah Single Mother’s Guide to Benefits, Grants, and Support Programs (2025)

Last updated: August 2025

Quick Summary for Busy Moms

Utah offers comprehensive assistance for single mothers through 30+ programs. Emergency help available within 1-3 days. Key programs include food assistance for families earning under $4,108/month, educational grants up to $3,000/year, and emergency housing support.

Top Programs by Urgency:

Emergency Food: SNAP benefits up to $740/month for family of 3
Emergency Cash: TANF up to $662/month for single mother with 2 children
Emergency Housing: Rental assistance and community programs
Tax Benefits: EITC up to $8,046/year, Child Tax Credit up to $2,000 per child
Education: Live Your Dream Foundation scholarships $500-$3,000

If You Need Emergency Help

If you’re facing an immediate crisis, here are three steps you can take right now:

Call 2-1-1 – Free 24/7 help finding emergency assistance for housing, food, utilities, and more
Contact Utah Food Bank at (801) 978-2452 for emergency food assistance
Apply for Emergency SNAP at myCase – you can get benefits within 7 days if you qualify for expedited service

Main Points

According to the Utah State University Utah Women & Leadership Project, in 2021 there were more than 70,000 single-parent families in Utah; of these, 69.2% were headed by single mothers. The median income among Utah single mothers with children under 18 stayed near the same for the last decade, from $33,100 in 2010 to $37,900 in 2020.

According to research from Utah State University, Utah adult women who work full-time, year-round earn approximately 72% of what their male counterparts earn, lower than the national percentage of 81%. Additionally, child care in Utah is more expensive than college, with infant care for one child taking approximately 14% of a median family’s income.

What you need to know:

Real grants exist – Programs like Live Your Dream Foundation provide up to $3,000 in scholarships to Utah single mothers
Emergency help is available – You can get food assistance within days and cash assistance within weeks
Tax credits provide major help – EITC and Child Tax Credit can provide thousands annually
Long-term support matters – Education and job training programs can change your family’s future
The system is complex – But this guide breaks it down step by step

Reality Check: Some programs have long waiting lists or strict requirements. Apply for multiple programs and don’t get discouraged if the first one doesn’t work out.

If You Need Help Today

If you’re facing an emergency situation right now, here are your immediate options:

Emergency Cash Assistance

Utah Family Employment Program (FEP): Call (866) 435-7414 or apply at myCase
211 Utah: Dial 2-1-1 for immediate connection to local emergency resources
Local food banks: Visit Utah Food Bank to find the nearest location

Crisis Situations

Domestic violence: Call the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition at 1-800-897-LINK (5465)
Suicide prevention: Call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Housing emergency: Contact local Community Action Programs for rental assistance

Immediate Food Help

SNAP Emergency: Call (801) 526-0950 for expedited food stamp processing if you have less than $150 monthly income and $100 or less in bank accounts
WIC: Call (801) 538-6960 for immediate nutrition assistance for pregnant women and children under 5

Tax Credits and Federal Benefits (Often Overlooked!)

Many single mothers miss these programs that provide significant annual income.

Federal Tax Credits

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)

What it provides: Up to $8,046 for families with 3+ children (2025 tax year), according to IRS Revenue Procedure 2024-40
Who qualifies: Working families with income under $59,899 (single filers with 3+ children) for 2025
How to claim: File tax return with IRS Form 1040, even if you don’t owe taxes
Reality Check: This is refundable – you get money back even if you pay no taxes

Income Limits for EITC (2025 Tax Year):

Children	Single Filer Income Limit	Maximum Credit
1 child	$47,915	$4,213
2 children	$53,057	$6,960
3+ children	$59,899	$8,046

Child Tax Credit (CTC)

What it provides: Up to $2,000 per child under 17, with up to $1,700 refundable per IRS Topic 602
Who qualifies: Single mothers with income under $200,000
How to claim: File tax return, may be partially refundable

Child and Dependent Care Credit

What it provides: 20-35% of childcare costs, up to $3,000 for one child or $6,000 for two+ children
Who qualifies: Working parents paying for childcare to work or look for work
How to claim: Keep receipts, file with tax return using Form 2441

Contact for Free Tax Help: IRS VITA Program at 1-800-906-9887

Cash Assistance Programs

Utah Family Employment Program (FEP)

This is Utah’s main cash assistance program, funded by federal TANF money. According to the Utah Department of Workforce Services, the program provides up to 36 months of financial support to a family within a lifetime.

What you can get:

Single mother with two children: up to $662 monthly
Family of three: typically around $498 monthly maximum

Who qualifies:

Utah resident
U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant
Have a child under 18 living with you
Meet income requirements (varies by family size)
Participate in work activities: 30 hours weekly, or 20 hours if you have a child under 6

How to apply: Visit myCase or call (866) 435-7414

Reality check: Utah requires drug testing as part of the application process, but testing positive doesn’t disqualify you – it requires enrollment in treatment. The 36-month lifetime limit is strictly enforced, though some hardship exceptions exist.

Unemployment Insurance

If you lost your job through no fault of your own, you may qualify for weekly unemployment benefits while you search for work.

How to apply: Visit jobs.utah.gov or call the appropriate number for your area:

Salt Lake metro: (801) 526-4400
Weber/Davis counties: (801) 612-0877
Utah County: (801) 375-4067
All other areas: (888) 848-0688

Food Assistance

SNAP (Food Stamps)

SNAP serves as the first line of defense against hunger for Utah residents. According to the Utah Department of Workforce Services, benefits are loaded onto a Utah Horizon Card (EBT card) that works like a debit card at grocery stores.

Benefit amounts (2025):

Household Size	Maximum Monthly Benefit
1 person	$291
2 people	$535
3 people	$740
4 people	$939

Income limits (2025):

Gross income limit: 130% of federal poverty level
For family of three: about $2,797 monthly

How to apply:

Online at myCase
Call (801) 526-0950 or (866) 435-7414
Visit your local Department of Workforce Services office

Reality check: Households earning less than $50 monthly with $100 cash balance qualify for expedited SNAP within 7 days.

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)

This program helps pregnant women, new mothers, and children under 5 access nutritious food, breastfeeding support, and health screenings.

Who qualifies:

Low-income parents of children under 5 who are at nutritional risk and below 185% of federal poverty level
If you receive Medicaid, TANF, or SNAP, you automatically qualify

What you get:

Electronic benefits for healthy foods
Breastfeeding support and education
Health and nutrition screenings
Referrals to other services

How to apply: Call (801) 538-6960

School Meals

Utah participates in free and reduced-price school meal programs. Children from families at or below certain income levels receive free breakfast and lunch at school.

Healthcare Coverage

Medicaid

Utah expanded Medicaid in 2020, so parents with incomes up to 138% of poverty are now eligible – that’s about $35,632 annually for a family of three.

Who’s covered:

Children under 18
Pregnant women (up to 144% of poverty level)
Parents and adults (up to 138% of poverty level)
People with disabilities
Women with breast or cervical cancer

How to apply:

Online at myCase
Call (866) 435-7414

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

CHIP provides health coverage for children when family income is too high for Medicaid but too low for private insurance.

What’s covered:

Doctor visits
Prescription medications
Hospital care
Dental and vision care
Mental health services

Cost sharing: Currently 5% of family’s yearly income

How to apply: Call (866) 435-7414 or visit chip.health.utah.gov

Housing Assistance

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

This federal program helps very low-income families afford decent housing by paying a portion of rent directly to landlords.

Income limits: Generally must earn 50% or less of area median income Wait time: Currently 2-3 years waiting list

How to apply: Contact your local housing authority. For more information, call (800) 955-2232

Emergency Rental Assistance

Several programs help with emergency rent, utilities, and housing costs:

Utah Community Action: Provides rental assistance and deposit help
HEAT Program: Year-round energy crisis assistance for households below 150% of federal poverty level
Weatherization Assistance: Free home improvements to reduce energy bills, priority given to families with young children

Rural Housing Programs

USDA Rural Development offers no-down-payment home loans, home repair grants, and rental assistance for eligible rural areas.

Programs include:

Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans
Home Repair Loans and Grants
Rural Rental Assistance

Childcare Assistance

Finding and affording quality childcare is a challenge for many families in Utah. Although over 81,000 children are eligible for childcare assistance, only about 14% receive help.

Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP)

This program helps low and moderate-income families pay for childcare while parents work or attend school.

Income limits: 85% of state median income (about $6,637 monthly for family of three)

Your costs: Monthly co-payment of 0-7% of your income, plus possible additional provider fees

How to apply: Visit myCase or call (801) 526-9675

Reality check: Utah sets subsidy rates below federal recommendations, so you may still pay significant out-of-pocket costs.

Kids in Care Program

Recently unemployed parents may qualify for up to 150 hours of childcare assistance over six months to support job search activities.

Education and Training Support

Utah State Educational Programs

Program	Amount	Eligibility
Utah Promise Scholarship	Up to full tuition for 2 years	Students at Utah public colleges/universities
Technical College Scholarship	Up to full tuition	Utah technical college students
Opportunity Scholarship	Up to $1,000 per semester for 4 semesters	Eligible students
Higher Education Success Stipend	Varies	Students with financial need

How to apply: Visit the Utah System of Higher Education website

University-Specific Support

University of Utah CCAMPIS Program: Provides 50%-95% childcare subsidies for student parents based on income, up to 30 hours weekly for full-time students

Real Grants for Single Mothers

Unlike government assistance programs, these are actual grants that don’t need to be repaid:

Live Your Dream Foundation

This Utah-based organization specifically helps single mothers pursue education.

Grant amounts: $500-$3,000 per recipient Use: Any college, university, or technical school Payment: Funds awarded directly to the school

Requirements:

Utah resident (may attend online school in another state)
Custodial parent with physical custody of at least one child (18 and under)
Only adult in your home (unless living with relatives)
Enrolled in degree program, technical school, or educational program
Completed FAFSA and can demonstrate financial need

Application deadlines: November 1 for winter/spring semester

According to their official website, Live Your Dream awards scholarships to single mothers in Utah, ranging from $500-$3,000. They can be used at any university, college, or technical school. In recent awards, 15 single moms in Utah were given scholarships totaling $37,500.

Contact: (801) 375-2500 or visit liveyourdreamfoundation.org

Stella H. Oaks Foundation

Provides scholarships specifically for single parents attending Utah universities. According to their resource page, they list multiple scholarship opportunities for single parents.

National Grant Programs Available to Utah Residents

Grant Program	Amount	Focus
Soroptimist Live Your Dream Awards	Up to $16,000	Women who are primary financial support
Patsy Takemoto Mink Foundation	$5,000	Low-income mothers pursuing education
Single Parent Project	Varies	Crisis relief and gap funding

Reality check: Grant competition is fierce. Many programs receive thousands of applications for limited funds. Start applications early and apply to multiple programs.

Energy and Utility Assistance

HEAT (Home Energy Assistance Target) Program

Provides year-round heating and cooling assistance, operates November 1 through April 30

Income limit: 150% of federal poverty level (about $3,228 monthly for family of three)

Priority: Single moms with children age 6 or under can apply early starting October 1, others start November 1

How to apply: Call (866) 205-4357

Utility Company Programs

Rocky Mountain Power: Offers assistance programs and federal energy assistance, call 1-888-221-7070
HELP Program: Extra discount for HEAT participants who are Rocky Mountain Power customers
Dominion Energy: One-time bill credit for HEAT participants

Transportation and Other Support

Public Transportation

UTA Hive Pass: Discounted transit pass for Salt Lake City residents

Legal Services

Utah Legal Services: Provides free legal help for low-income families with housing, family law, and public benefits issues

Tax Preparation

Many community organizations offer free tax preparation during tax season, helping you claim important credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.

Special Populations and Inclusive Resources

LGBTQ+ Single Mothers

Utah has specific resources for LGBTQ+ families facing unique challenges:

Encircle LGBTQ+ Family and Youth Resource Center: Provides programs and services with cultural competency and sensitivity, helping LGBTQ+ individuals thrive

Utah LGBTQ+ SafeZone: Shares resources for domestic violence, homelessness, and suicide prevention specifically for LGBTQ+ individuals and families

Transgender Education Advocates (TEA) of Utah: Works to ensure all Utahns can live, work, and thrive regardless of gender identity through education and advocacy

Tribal-Specific Resources

Native American single mothers may have access to additional resources:

Tribal TANF Programs: Some tribes operate their own assistance programs separate from state programs Indian Health Service: Healthcare specifically for Native Americans Tribal Housing Programs: Housing assistance through tribal housing authorities

Rural Single Mother Families

Rural families face unique challenges with limited transportation and fewer local resources:

USDA Rural Development: Offers housing loans, home repair grants, and utility assistance specifically for rural areas Telehealth Services: Many healthcare providers now offer remote services Mobile Food Pantries: Utah Food Bank operates mobile pantries in rural areas

Single Fathers

While this guide focuses on single mothers, single fathers can access most of the same programs:

Family Employment Program: Available to single fathers meeting income requirements.
SNAP and WIC: Single fathers caring for children can receive food assistance.
Childcare Assistance: Available regardless of parent gender.
Educational Grants: Some programs specifically include single fathers.

Income Guidelines Reference

2025 Federal Poverty Level (Utah)

Household Size	100% FPL	130% FPL	138% FPL	150% FPL	185% FPL
1	$15,650	$20,345	$21,597	$23,475	$28,953
2	$21,150	$27,495	$29,187	$31,725	$39,128
3	$26,650	$34,645	$36,777	$39,975	$49,303
4	$32,150	$41,795	$44,367	$48,225	$59,478

Resources by Region

Salt Lake County

Salt Lake Community Action Program: Emergency assistance and case management
Crossroads Urban Center: Food, clothing, and financial assistance
Maliheh Free Clinic: Free medical services including pediatric care and dental services

Utah County

Utah County Action Services: Food assistance and utility help
Community Action Program: Emergency assistance
Food & Care Coalition: Food pantries and assistance

Rural Counties

Bear River Association of Governments: Assistance for Box Elder, Cache, and Rich counties
Six County Association of Governments: Serves Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Piute, and Washington counties
Southeast Utah Association of Local Governments: Serves Carbon, Emery, Grand, and San Juan counties

Common Questions Single Moms Ask (FAQs)

“Can I get help if I’m working?”

Yes! Many programs are designed for working families. SNAP, Medicaid, childcare assistance, and housing programs often serve families with income from work. Your earnings may reduce benefits but usually don’t eliminate them entirely.

“How long do I have to wait for help?”

Emergency SNAP: 7 days if you qualify for expedited processing
TANF/FEP: Usually within 30 days of application
Medicaid: Can be approved same day if applying online
Childcare assistance: Varies, but can be several weeks
Section 8 housing: 2-3 year waiting list

“What if I don’t have all the required documents?”

Apply anyway. Caseworkers can help you get missing documents, and some programs allow you to provide paperwork after approval. Don’t let missing documents stop you from applying for help you need.

“Can I apply for multiple programs at the same time?”

Yes! Many programs complement each other. You can apply for SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and childcare assistance through the same myCase application. This is actually recommended.

“What if my application is denied?”

You have the right to appeal most decisions. Ask for information about the appeals process and deadlines. Sometimes denials happen due to missing information that can be easily corrected.

“Do these programs affect my immigration status?”

Some assistance programs may be considered for “public charge” determinations. However, emergency assistance, school meals, and programs for children typically don’t count. Consult with an immigration attorney if you have concerns.

“Can my ex-husband find out if I receive assistance?”

Most assistance programs are confidential. However, child support agencies may contact non-custodial parents as part of their efforts to establish or collect support.

Tips for Success

Before You Apply

Gather documents: ID, Social Security cards, proof of income, rent receipts, utility bills
Calculate your monthly income and expenses
Make copies of all documents
Know your children’s dates of birth and Social Security numbers

During the Application Process

Be honest and complete on all forms
Keep records of all communications
Follow up if you don’t hear back within stated timeframes
Ask questions if you don’t understand something

After Approval

Report changes in income, address, or household composition promptly
Attend all required appointments and meetings
Keep all correspondence and notices
Reapply or recertify before benefits expire

Building Long-term Stability

Take advantage of job training and education programs
Work with case managers to develop employment plans
Connect with community organizations for ongoing support
Build emergency savings when possible, even if just a few dollars at a time

Warning Signs and Reality Checks

Common Scams to Avoid

Anyone asking for upfront fees for grant applications
Guaranteed grant approval promises
Requests for Social Security numbers via phone or email
Programs claiming you’ve “won” money without applying

Program Limitations

Time limits: Most cash assistance has lifetime limits
Work requirements: Many programs require job search or work activities
Reporting requirements: You must report changes that could affect benefits
Waiting lists: Popular programs often have long wait times

Budget Realistically

Even with assistance, you may still struggle to make ends meet. Benefits often cover basic needs but may not provide comfortable living. Plan accordingly and continue working toward long-term financial stability.

About This Guide

This guide was created specifically to help single mothers in Utah navigate available assistance programs and resources. Information is current as of August 2025, but program details can change. Always verify information with the relevant agency before making decisions.

The guide includes both government assistance programs (which have eligibility requirements and may need to be repaid in some cases) and private grants (which typically don’t need to be repaid). We’ve tried to be clear about the differences and realistic about what each program can and cannot do.

This information is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. Every family’s situation is unique, so what works for one person may not work for another.

We believe every single mother deserves access to resources that can help her provide for her family and build a better future. While the system can be complex and sometimes frustrating, help is available for those who need it.

Remember: You’re not alone in this journey. Thousands of Utah single mothers have successfully used these programs to get back on their feet, pursue education, and create better lives for their families. With persistence and the right information, you can too.

For the most current information, always contact programs directly using the phone numbers and websites provided throughout this guide.

Disclaimer: Program details, income limits, and benefit amounts can change. Requirements may vary based on individual circumstances. This guide provides general information only and should not be considered official program guidance. Always verify current information with the relevant agency before making decisions. Some programs have waiting lists, limited funding, or specific eligibility requirements not covered in this overview. The author and publisher are not responsible for changes in program requirements or benefits after publication.

About This Guide

Compiled by the ASingleMother.org Editorial Team

The ASingleMother.org team has been researching and writing comprehensive benefits guides for single mothers across all 50 states since 2020. Our editorial team regularly updates these guides by reviewing official government sources, contacting state agencies, and incorporating feedback from hundreds of single mothers who have used these programs.

This Utah guide represents over 5 years of experience helping single mothers navigate the benefits system. We verify information with official sources including Utah Department of Workforce Services, USDA, IRS, and local nonprofits to ensure accuracy.

Information compiled from official Utah Department of Workforce Services, Utah State University research, USDA, HHS, and Utah System of Higher Education sources. Last verified: August 2025.

The ASingleMother.org editorial team welcomes feedback on this guide. If you find outdated information or discover new resources, please contact us at info@asinglemother.org so we can help other single mothers with accurate, current information.

🏛️More Utah Resources for Single Mothers

Explore all assistance programs in 34 categories available in Utah