Welfare Benefits For Single Mothers

Complete Guide to Government Benefits for Single Mothers (2025)

Last updated: August 2025

If You Need Help Today

Call these numbers now if you have an emergency:

• SNAP (Food Stamps): Apply same day online at your state’s website or call 211
• TANF (Cash Assistance): Contact your local Department of Social Services immediately
• Emergency Housing: Call 211 or contact your local housing authority
• Energy Crisis: Call the National Energy Assistance Referral at 1-866-674-6327
• Medical Emergency: If you have no insurance, go to your nearest emergency room (they cannot turn you away)
• Food Emergency: Call Feeding America at 1-800-771-2303 to find local food banks

Stop reading and call these numbers if you or your children are in immediate need.

Main Points

Single mothers can access multiple government programs that provide:

• Cash assistance up to $1,291/month (varies by state)
• Food benefits up to $768/month for a family of three
• Free healthcare through Medicaid for you and your children
• Housing help paying up to 70% of your rent
• Energy assistance up to $1,000/year for heating/cooling bills
• Childcare support while you work or attend school

Reality check: These programs have waiting lists, complex paperwork, and strict income limits. But they can be life-changing when you qualify.

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TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families)

What TANF Is

TANF is a federally funded, state-run program. Also known as welfare, TANF helps families pay for basic needs like food, clothing, shelter and other essentials. Think of it as cash assistance that goes directly to you each month.

How Much Money You Can Get

TANF payments vary dramatically by state. For a family of three, the maximum TANF benefit paid varied from $260 per month in Mississippi to $1,291 per month in New Hampshire.

Who Qualifies

• You must have children under 18 (or under 19 if in school)
• Your income must be very low (varies by state)
• You must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident
• You must live in the state where you apply

Work Requirements – The Reality

TANF has work requirements that applicants must meet and document to be eligible for benefits. Here’s what this means:

• With children under 6: You must work or train 20 hours per week
• With children 6 and older: You must work or train 30 hours per week
• Time limit: There is a federal maximum of 60 months you can receive TANF benefits, though each state creates its own limits

Warning: Many states have shorter time limits than the federal 60 months. Some limit you to 24 months total.

How to Apply

1. Contact your state’s Department of Human Services (may have different names in your state)
2. Find your local TANF office at USAGov TANF Directory
3. Bring required documents (see list below)
4. Complete interview process

Required Documents:

• Social Security cards for all family members
• Birth certificates for children
• Proof of income (pay stubs, unemployment letters)
• Rent receipts or mortgage statements
• Bank statements
• Photo ID

How You Get the Money

Every state issues TANF benefits electronically on a debit card or through direct deposit. The money typically arrives monthly.

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SNAP (Food Benefits)

What SNAP Is

SNAP, formerly called Food Stamps, helps you buy groceries. SNAP provides monthly benefits to low-income individuals and families to pay for food. You get an EBT card that works like a debit card at most grocery stores.

How Much You Can Get (2025 Amounts)

The average benefit per person in fiscal year 2025 will be $187 per month or $6.16 per day.

Income Limits for SNAP (2025)

Gross monthly income — that is, household income before any of the program’s deductions are applied — generally must be at or below 130 percent of the poverty line.

Asset Limits

Currently, households may have $3,000 in countable resources (such as cash or money in a bank account) or $4,500 in countable resources if at least one member of the household is age 60 or older, or is disabled.

Good news: Your home, car (if worth less than $4,650), and retirement accounts don’t count toward this limit.

Special Rules for Single Parents

Single parents will have to work to receive food benefits while some married parents will not. Parents of children ages 7 to 17 must work 80 hours a month in order to qualify for SNAP benefits. But in households where parents are married, only one has to work.

This is unfair but it’s the current law. 80% of single-parent households are headed by mothers, so this disproportionately affects women.

How to Apply

1. Visit your state’s SNAP website or local office
2. Apply online at SNAP Application Portal
3. Complete phone or in-person interview
4. Provide required documents

Required Documents:

• ID for all household members
• Proof of income
• Proof of housing costs (rent/mortgage)
• Utility bills
• Bank statements

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WIC (Women, Infants, and Children)

What WIC Is

WIC is available for income-eligible pregnant and postpartum women, breastfeeding moms, and children under five (up to their fifth birthday). WIC provides specific healthy foods, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support.

Who Can Get WIC

• Pregnant women
• New mothers (up to 6 months after giving birth)
• Breastfeeding mothers (up to 1 year)
• Children under age 5
• Dads, grandparents, foster parents can apply for children in their care

Income Limits for WIC (2025-2026)

Automatic qualification: If you or your children receive Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), you’re already income-eligible for WIC.

What WIC Provides

• Specific healthy foods: milk, eggs, cereal, peanut butter, fruits, vegetables
• Infant formula (if not breastfeeding)
• Nutrition education
• Breastfeeding support and supplies
• Health screenings (at no cost)

Requirements

Applicants must be seen by a health professional such as a physician, nurse, or nutritionist who must determine whether the individual is at nutrition risk. This screening happens at the WIC clinic for free.

How to Apply

1. Find your local WIC clinic at WIC Office Locator
2. Call to schedule an appointment
3. Bring required documents
4. Complete health screening

Required Documents:

• ID for yourself and children
• Proof of income
• Proof of residence
• Medical records (if available)

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Medicaid (Free Healthcare)

What Medicaid Is

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that provides health coverage to over 77.9 million Americans, including children, pregnant women, parents, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.

Who Qualifies

Children: Eligibility for children was extended to at least 133% of the federal poverty level (FPL) in every state (most states cover children to higher income levels).

Adults: States were given the option to extend eligibility to adults with income at or below 133% of the FPL. Most states have chosen to expand coverage to adults.

Income Limits (Varies by State)

Income limits depend on whether your state expanded Medicaid:

Expanded Medicaid States:

• Adults: Up to 138% of federal poverty level ($20,120 for individual, $41,400 for family of 4)

Non-Expanded States:

• Much lower income limits (some as low as $3,600/year for parents)

What’s Covered

• Doctor visits
• Hospital care
• Prescription drugs
• Emergency services
• Pregnancy and childbirth care
• Mental health services
• Dental and vision (for children)

How to Apply

1. Visit Healthcare.gov to check if you qualify
2. Apply through your state’s Medicaid office
3. Provide required documents

Required Documents:

• Social Security numbers
• Proof of income
• Proof of citizenship or legal status
• Bank statements

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Housing Assistance (Section 8)

What Section 8 Is

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (also known as Section 8) helps low-income families, elderly persons, veterans and disabled individuals afford housing in the private market.

How It Works

Program participants can choose any eligible housing unit, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments, with rent partially covered by a subsidy paid directly to the landlord.

You typically pay: About 30% of your income Government pays: The rest (up to fair market rent limits)

Income Limits

To be eligible, the household must be either a family or a single person whose income does not exceed the area limits as set by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

General limits:

• Extremely Low Income: 30% of area median income
• Very Low Income: 50% of area median income
• Low Income: 80% of area median income

The Waiting List Reality

The average wait time is more than 15 years in some areas. Waiting lists and long waiting periods for vouchers are common because HUD and local PHAs have limited resources.

Many housing authorities have closed their waiting lists because they’re so full.

How to Apply

1. Find your local Public Housing Authority at HUD’s PHA Directory
2. Check if their waiting list is open
3. Apply to multiple PHAs if possible
4. Complete application and interview process

Required Documents

• Income verification (pay stubs, tax returns)
• Bank statements
• Social Security cards
• Birth certificates
• Criminal background check authorization

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LIHEAP (Energy Assistance)

What LIHEAP Is

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps keep families safe and healthy through initiatives that assist families with energy costs.

What LIHEAP Covers

LIHEAP provides federally funded assistance to reduce the costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs.

Services include:

• Help paying heating/cooling bills
• Emergency assistance if utilities are shut off
• Weatherization to make your home more energy efficient
• Furnace or air conditioner repairs

How Much You Can Get

These grants range from $200 to $1,000 based on household size, income, and fuel type.

Who Qualifies

Income limits vary by state, but generally:

• Your income must be at or below 150% of federal poverty level
• You must be responsible for paying energy bills
• U.S. citizen or legal resident

Crisis Assistance

Emergency situations include: Broken heating equipment or leaking lines that must be fixed or replaced, or if your heat has been shut off.

How to Apply

1. Contact the National Energy Assistance Referral at 1-866-674-6327
2. Visit EnergyHelp.us to find your local program
3. Apply early – funding runs out each year

Required Documents:

• Recent utility bills
• Proof of income
• Social Security numbers for household members
• Proof of citizenship/legal status

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Child Support Enforcement

What It Is

The Office of Child Support Services, which oversees state-level child support programs that manage collecting child support payments for custodial parents, served 12.8 million children in fiscal year 2022.

The Reality

Less than one-quarter of single-mother families receive child support. Even when ordered, many don’t receive what they’re owed.

Services Provided

• Locate non-custodial parents
• Establish paternity
• Obtain child support orders
• Collect and distribute payments
• Modify support orders when circumstances change

How to Apply

Contact your state’s Child Support Enforcement office. Services are free.

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Programs for Specific Groups

LGBTQ+ Single Mothers

All federal programs listed above serve LGBTQ+ individuals and families. You cannot be discriminated against based on sexual orientation or gender identity in federal programs.

Additional resources:

• National Center for Lesbian Rights – Legal advocacy and resources
• Family Equality Council – Support for LGBTQ+ families

Tribal-Specific Resources

Many tribes administer their own versions of federal programs:

• Tribal TANF programs
• Tribal WIC programs
• Indian Health Service for healthcare
• Tribal Housing authorities

Contact: Your tribal government’s social services department or the Bureau of Indian Affairs

Rural Single Mothers

Challenges: Limited transportation, fewer local offices, less internet access

Solutions:

• USDA Rural Development programs for housing and utilities
• Telehealth services for medical care
• Mobile WIC clinics in some areas
• Rural Health Information Hub

Single Fathers

All programs mentioned serve single fathers with the same eligibility requirements. Don’t let anyone tell you these are “women’s programs” – they’re family programs.

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Common Questions Single Moms Ask (FAQs)

Can I get benefits if I work?

Yes. Most programs allow you to work and still qualify, though your benefits may be reduced. Many working families and military families are eligible for WIC. Working often makes you eligible for additional programs like childcare assistance.

What if I’m undocumented?

Your immigration status affects eligibility differently for each program:

• Emergency Medicaid: Available for emergency situations
• WIC: Available in some states regardless of status
• School meals: Available for your children
• Emergency food assistance: Usually available

Important: Being on WIC does not make you a public charge and does not affect your immigration status. U.S. citizenship is not required to qualify for WIC.

Do I have to choose between programs?

No. You can and should apply for multiple programs. Being on one program often makes you automatically eligible for others.

What if I get denied?

Appeal. Every program has an appeals process. You have the right to know why you were denied and to contest the decision. Contact a local legal aid organization for help.

How long does it take to get benefits?

• SNAP: Usually 30 days, 7 days for expedited service
• TANF: Varies by state, can be immediate for emergencies
• Medicaid: Usually 45 days for non-emergency
• WIC: Often same day if you bring all documents
• Section 8: Years due to waiting lists

Can I get help with application paperwork?

Yes. Contact:

• 211 – Local assistance programs
• Legal aid organizations
• Community health centers
• Faith-based organizations
• Your local library (often has computers and help)

What if my income changes?

Report it immediately. Your benefits may increase or decrease, but you must report changes within 10 days for most programs. Don’t risk losing benefits by not reporting.

What if I live in a different state than where I receive benefits?

Most benefits don’t transfer automatically. You’ll need to reapply in your new state. Do this before you move to avoid gaps in coverage.

Can my ex-partner affect my benefits?

Income from child support counts toward your total income. If your ex lives with you, their income counts too. Domestic violence can make you eligible for expedited services and exemptions from certain requirements.

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Resources

National Hotlines

• 211: Dial 2-1-1 for local assistance
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

Official Government Websites

• Benefits.gov: Benefits.gov – Find all federal benefits
• SNAP: FNS.USDA.gov/SNAP
• WIC: FNS.USDA.gov/WIC
• Medicaid: Medicaid.gov
• Housing: HUD.gov
• LIHEAP: ACF.gov/OCS/Programs/LIHEAP

Legal Help

• National Legal Aid Directory: LawHelpInteractive.org
• Legal Services Corporation: LSC.gov

Food Assistance

• Feeding America: FeedingAmerica.org
• USDA Food Finder: USDA.gov/food-assistance

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About This Guide

This guide was created specifically for single mothers navigating government assistance programs. Information is current as of August 2025 and comes from official government sources including the USDA, HHS, HUD, and state agencies.

Our mission: To provide clear, accurate, and actionable information that helps single mothers access the benefits they need to support their families.

Updates: We review and update this guide quarterly to ensure accuracy. Government programs change frequently, so always verify current requirements with the administering agency.

Not legal advice: This guide is for informational purposes only. For specific legal questions about your situation, consult with a qualified attorney or legal aid organization.

Feedback welcome: Have suggestions for improving this guide? Found an error? Contact us at [feedback email] to help us serve single mothers better.

Sources verified: All statistics and program details are linked to their original sources. We never fabricate numbers or make unsupported claims.

Privacy protection: This guide does not collect personal information. When you’re ready to apply for benefits, work directly with official government agencies.

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Disclaimer

Government assistance programs change frequently due to new legislation, policy updates, and funding changes. While we strive to keep this information current, program details including income limits, benefit amounts, and eligibility requirements may have changed since publication.

Always verify information with the relevant government agency before making decisions based on this guide. Contact local offices for the most current requirements and application procedures in your area.

This guide is not legal advice and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with a qualified attorney or social services professional who can address your specific circumstances.

Program availability varies by state and locality. Some programs may have waiting lists, limited funding, or may not be available in all areas.

No guarantees: Meeting the criteria described in this guide does not guarantee approval for benefits. Each application is evaluated individually by the administering agency.

Last updated: August 2025