According to the statistics, much of black poverty is experienced by single-mother families but the poverty status varies with educational attainment.

For many, education is the only valid passport out of poverty ¹ but lack of fund is often the primary reason why black students ain’t making it into college.

In 2010, only 19% of blacks ages 25-29 had a bachelor’s degree. That compares with 39% of whites and 13% of Hispanics.²

This is one of the reasons numerous Scholarships for African American Women are available from a variety of institutions, agencies, and foundations to assist them in their pursuit of higher educations. ³

The United Negro College Fund

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) is one of the oldest and well-known organizations that provide grants and scholarships to black women. These grants and scholarships which available through UNCF are geared toward African-American students for which black single parents may apply.

www.uncf.org

The Gates Millennium Scholars Program

The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program, funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was established in 1999 to provide scholarships and fellowships for outstanding low-income African-American, Native American, Hispanic American, and Asian American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education.

Applicants must demonstrate eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant as part of their financial aid package by sending a copy of their Student Aid Report (SAR) to GMS.

www.gmsp.org

15,000 Degrees (15K) Scholarship Fund

As the name implies, 15,000 Degrees (15K) Scholarship Fund – a new initiative by The Community Foundation of Louisville – seeks to add 15,000 post-secondary degrees to Louisville’s African-American community by 2020.

Scholarships of up to $1,500 will be awarded to students of African-American descent through a competitive application process. Application deadline for the 2013-14 academic year is March 15, 2013.

www.cflouisville.org

Dr. Wynetta A. Frazier Sister-to-Sister Scholarship

Administered by the National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc. (NHBW), this scholarship program offers financial assistance to mature African American Women in their pursuit of post-secondary education.

Two (2) $500.00 awards are to be presented annually, through essay competition to deserving women especially single mothers who don’t have support of family or spouse.

www.nhbwinc.com

Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship

The Kansas Ethnic Minority Scholarship is a state-sponsored scholarship program designed to help financially needy, academically competitive students belonging to students from minority communities — African American, American Indian or Alaskan Native; Asian or Pacific Islander; or Hispanic.

Scholarship recipients may receive up to $1,850 annually based on financial need as measured using data submitted on the FAFSA and the availability of state funds. Deadline is May 1 each year.

http://kansasregents.org

Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund

TMCF provides merit-based scholarships to students seeking financial assistance to complete their education at TMCF-member schools. One award is given annually and disbursed $600 per quarter.

Applicants must attend one of 38 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as a full-time student, and must demonstrate financial need.

www.thurgoodmarshallfund.net

The Ethel Lee Hoover Ellis Scholarship

This scholarships to open to to African American women in their sophomore or junior year of college. Applicants must be a resident of the Southeast District – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, or West Virginia.

To qualify for this scholarship, applicants are required to submit an essay on the topic “Business and Community United”.

www.nanbpwc.org

Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship

Dr. Julianne Malveaux Scholarship is a funding program for African American women enrolled in an accredited college or university. This scholarship is geared towards women studying within specific fields – journalism, economics or related field (public policy, creative writing, etc.).

www.nanbpwc.org

Three Sisters Scholarship Foundation

The Three Sisters Scholarship Foundation awards up to $1,000 ($500 in the first year) to two select students who plan to enroll in an undergraduate program at a four-year college or university. African American women students are given a priority.

threesistersscholarshipfoundation.org

Denny’s Single Parent Student Scholarship

This scholarship program provides financial need-based scholarships of up to $1500 to single mothers of the hispanic background. In addition to the awarded scholarship Denny’s will also provide each recipient with a Kids Eat Free coupon.

scholarships.hispanicfund.org

If you’re interested in any of these scholarships, you should first familiarize yourself with the prerequisites & requirements. In most cases, you’re required to write an essay on a given topic which can either make or break your chances of winning a scholarship.

Keep in mind that scholarships for single mothers are gifted on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. With many applicants vying for the same, be sure to apply early way before the datelines.

1. Education and Employment Key to Success for Single Moms & Their Kids
2. Pew Research Center, Women See Value and Benefits of College; Men Lag on Both Fronts
3. The above list of scholarships is not meant to be exhaustive. We’ll make every possible effort to maintain & update it.

There are, however, some useful tax breaks that can significantly lower the amount of taxes to pay.

And, in some cases, give cash refunds to families in jobs that pay too little to live on.

In fact, at tax time, being a parent comes with certain perks.

As for tax year 2012, eligible families with dependent children could receive

• Up to $5,891 from the federal Earned Income Tax Credit.
• Up to $1,000 per child from the federal Child Tax Credit.
• Up to $2,100 from the federal Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

Dependent Exemption

One of the most common tax deductions for single mothers is the dependent exemption — $3,800 for each child until your child turns 19, or 24 if he’s a full time student.

What’s especially nice is that you can take one exemption for yourself to cover your basic living expenses, that’s $3,900 off your taxable income.

So if you are a mother with two qualifying children, you can deduct $11,400 in exemptions ($3,800 x 3 = $11,400).

Filing Taxes as a “Head of the Household”

As a single mother and the sole breadwinner in the family, the first thing you must do is to select “Head of the Household” as your filing status.

Filing as “Head of Household” has two benefits for single mothers. First, you’ll pay less taxes overall; and second, you’ll also be able to claim a significantly larger tax exemption.

For example, in 2012, taxpayers who use the head of household filing status may receive an $8,700 annual standard deduction. While, a single filer is only entitled to a $5,950 standard deduction.

Earned Income Tax Credit

EITC, the Earned Income Tax Credit is a tax benefit designed primarily to help low- to moderate-income individuals and families whose earned income falls below a certain limit.

It isn’t a welfare handout per se. Only people who work and pay taxes can claim it; creating an incentive for them, including many who are poor, to leave welfare for work.¹

The EITC is “refundable,” which means that when EITC exceeds the amount of taxes owed, it results in a tax refund, whose amount varies by income, family size and filing status.²

For example, if your tax liability is only $736 and the credit you are allowed is $5,236, you may receive a refund check for $4,500.

Single parents with three or more children under age 19 who made less than $45,060 are eligible for a refundable credit of up to $5,891. Couples earning less than $19,190 qualify for a credit of up to $475. Married couples, however, must file taxes jointly.³

As noted from the graph above, your EITC grows with each additional dollar of earnings until it reaches the maximum value.

Forms 1040EZ, 1040A, or 1040 can be used to claim EIC without qualifying children. To claim the credit with qualifying children, 1040A or 1040 must be used as well as attaching Schedule EIC.

Child Tax Credit

If your child or children under the age of 17 (on the last day of the year), claimed as dependents and are US citizens, then you can qualify for Child Tax Credit.

This can reduce your taxes by up to $1,000 for each qualifying child. The child tax credit will be gradually reduced based on your income for the year until it reaches a threshold of $75,000 (by $50 for each $1,000 of income above that threshold amount).

Technically speaking, as your income increases, the exemption decreases proportionately. For some, utilizing the child tax credit can reduce their tax liability to zero.

Additional Child Tax Credit

The Additional Child Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit for people who have a qualifying child and did not receive the full amount of the Child Tax Credit.

Unlike the EITC, the Additional CTC is partially refundable. Families whose credit exceeds their tax liability can receive the remainder of the credit in the form of a refund not exceeding 15% of their earnings above $3,000.

For example, a single mother with two working full-time, year-round at the minimum wage of $7.25 an hour — and earning $14,500 per year — could receive 15% of $11,000, or $1,725, as a refund.

An additional refundable credit may be claimed on Form 8812, Additional Child Tax Credit ⁴ if your earned income was greater than $3,000.

Child and Dependent Care Credit

Paid a local daycare center to take care of your kid? Do you pay someone to care for your child so that you can work or look for work?

If you do, you may claim up to $3,000 of expenses paid in a year for one qualifying child under 13 or $6,000 max per family.

This works best when you file as a Head of the Household, and can cut your taxes by up to 35% of what you’ve paid for the service.

No matter what your tax status is, take a little time to make sure that you’re taking advantage of all the benefits available to you – especially if this is the first time you’ll be doing your taxes as a single mother.

If you can afford it, it might even be worth spending a little money to seek advice from a professional tax consultant to make sure you are not missing out on a refundable tax credit worth up to nearly $6,000.

1. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Policy Basics: The Earned Income Tax Credit
2. Use the EITC Assistant to find out if you qualify.
3. IRS, Publication 596, Earned Income Credit (EIC)
4. IRS, Schedule 8812 (Form 1040A or 1040), Child Tax Credit

Although the federal government provides some child care subsidies for low-income parents, the reality is that parents still pay a significant portion of their income for child care.

Among the 50 states, the annual cost of center-based infant care averaged 38% of the state median income for a single mother.

New York was the most unaffordable state for single mother families¹, with full-time center-based infant care costing more than half (54%) of their income.

Top 10 Least-Affordable States for Center-Based Infant Care in 2011²

The table above shows that the cost of child care as a percentage of their income is simply too high. In fact, in most states, one year of infant day care in a center is more expensive than a year of public college.

Unless they receive financial assistance, it is very unlikely these families could afford to use center-based care in those states.

Top 10 Least-Expensive States for Center-Based Infant Care in 2011

Even in less expensive states, single mothers likely couldn’t afford the cost of child care at all. Not when they have to spend one third of their monthly income on child care expenses.

Tables below show the ranking of least affordable states for single mothers with a 4-year-old and a school-age child.

The states were ranked from least affordable to most affordable, based on the cost of care compared to state median income for a single mother family.

Top 10 Least-Affordable States for Center-Based Care for a 4-Year-Old in 2011

Massachusetts’s child care, averaging $11,700 a year, is among the most expensive states to keep your 4-year-old kids in day care here. Wisconsin is close behind.

Top 10 Least-Affordable States for a School-age Child in a Center in 2011

New York tops the least affordable list for before-/after-school care for a school-age child with 42.4% of the families’ income paying for child care. Wisconsin, Arkansas, Montana and Rhode Island round out the top five.

1. Affordability is a comparison of cost against state median income for a single mother family.
2. Child Care Aware®, Parents & The High Cost of Child Care: 2012 Report

This wage disparity statistic explains the high rate of single-parent families living in poverty.

In an effort to close the gap, a number of state-sponsored programs are made available to help these women with the much needed financial assistance.

Wyoming Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

TANF provides temporary cash assistance to lower income families in Wyoming. It is based on the goals of assisting families near the poverty level to become self-sufficient.

To be eligible for TANF, you must meet certain requirements. In general, you must be a resident of the state of Wyoming, either pregnant or responsible for a child under 18 years of age.

The law also requires all TANF applicants, as a condition of eligibility, to participate in work-related activities with the exception of those that are disabled or over 60 years old.

Wyoming Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP enables eligible low-income individuals and families to receive cash benefits to help pay for food. It provides crucial support to needy households and to those moving from welfare to work.

Eligibility is based on household size, income, assets and some household expenses. The maximum monthly benefits is $200 for a single individual up to $1,202 for a family of eight.

Wyoming Kid Care Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Kid Care CHIP is Wyoming’s Children’s Health Insurance Program designed to provide health, vision and dental insurance to Wyoming’s children and teens through the age of 18.

To be eligible, children must be uninsured and meet income and eligibility guidelines. Call 1-888-996-8786 for additional details.

Wyoming Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

CACFP provides nutritious meals and snacks to infants and children as a regular part of their day care. The program aims to improve the quality of nutrition offered at a critical time in young children’s development.

The majority of CACFP participants are preschool-aged children up to 12 years of age as well as those living in emergency shelters.

If you wish to know more about the Child and Adult Care Food Program, get in touch with the Wyoming Department of Education at 307-777-7168.

Wyoming Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)

LIEAP assists eligible low-income households in Wyoming in meeting their immediate home energy needs. It helps cover the costs of electricity, natural gas, propane, wood, diesel heating oil, coal and pellets when these are used for heating a home.

Applications for LIEAP are accepted between October through February. If eligible, households receive a one-time credit deposited directly into their utility accounts, usually in the months of November through June.

1. Source: Wyoming News – Wyoming has second-biggest gender pay gap in U.S.

To make life a little easier for single mothers, the state of Wisconsin is taking positive steps to provide assistance programs to ease their financial burdens.

The state focuses its attention on alleviating the plight of single mothers and providing assistance when and where it is needed.

Wisconsin Works (W-2)

W-2 is one of Wisconsin’s work-based programs available to low-income families with minor children who meet eligibility requirements and who are willing to work to their ability.

The primary goal of the Wisconsin Works (W-2) is self sufficiency. The program offers W-2 participants cash payments of up to $673 per month for participating in job training and employment programs.

In order to qualify for W-2, you must be a resident of Wisconsin, either pregnant or be responsible for a child under 19 years of age. Parents with children whose family income is below 115% of the poverty level are eligible.

FoodShare Wisconsin

FoodShare Wisconsin provides monthly benefits to families with limited income to help pay for the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet. Benefit levels vary widely. But a household of two in Wisconsin now average a little more than $200 per month.

Anyone is eligible but the program is designed to help those who need food assistance most. Single mothers living on small or fixed income, the elederly, people with disabilities are given highest priority.

If you are accepted into the program, your FoodShare benefits are automatically deposited to your Wisconsin QUEST Card account on the same day of each month you are eligible.

Wisconsin Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

WIC provides supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care, at no cost, to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5.

To be eligible, you must be a resident of the state of Wisconsin with a household income not exceeding 185% of the federal poverty level; and be individually determined to be at nutritional risk by a health professional.

Wisconsin BadgerCare Plus

BadgerCare Plus offers free or low-cost health care coverage to eligible children and families in Wisconsin as well as pregnant women. It is designed for people who do not currently have access to health insurance.

BadgerCare Plus covers families with children under 19 that have incomes of less than 200% of the federal poverty threshold – or about $46,100 for a family of four.

Wisconsin Section 8 Voucher Program

The WHEDA¹ Section 8 Voucher Program helps Wisconsin families with very low to extremely low incomes rent decent, safe, and affordable housing of their choice.

Eligible families pay between 30-40% of their income for rent. The balance is subsidized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Wisconsin Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment insurance benefits provide temporary financial assistance to workers unemployed through no fault of their own. It is intended to provide a safety net to eligible workers and their families during times of unemployment.

As a condition of eligibility, you are required to register with Job Center of Wisconsin and actively seek suitable employment each week that you are collecting benefits.

1. WHEDA = Wisconsin Housing & Economic Development Authority

The result is more children growing up in impoverished homes.

In West Virginia, key assistance programs are available for single mothers to make up for any lack of financial resources.

These are geared towards filling in the gaps in their lives and that of their children.

West Virginia WORKS

WV WORKS is West Virginia’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program that provides monthly cash assistance to eligible families. It is based on the goals of assisting families near the poverty level to become self-sufficient.

Those receiving cash benefits are required to complete and sign a Personal Responsibility Contract (PRC). It is supposed to be a plan of activities you will do to help you get a job & to support your family on your own.

In most cases, you’re only entitled to no more than 5 years or 60 months of welfare checks over your lifetime. Most people on VW WORKS also receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and Medicaid.

West Virginia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

West Virginia SNAP helps low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled with cash assistance to buy the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet. Eligibility is based on household size, income, assets and some household expenses.

Eligible West Virginians will receive an EBT card, similar to a debit card, that they use to make food purchases at grocery stores and supermarkets. Acceptable purchases include food for people and plants and/or seeds to grow food.

West Virginia Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

WIC serves West Virginia’s pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women, and infants and children up to age 5 who meet WIC eligibility guidelines; and are considered to be “at nutritional risk”.

It provides very low-income, nutritionally at-risk participants with free supplemental healthy food, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, immunization screenings, and referrals for other health and social service needs.

West Virginia Medicaid

Medicaid offers health care coverage for West Virginians who meet the program’s eligibility requirements for Medicaid; particularly those with high medical expenses but limited income and people who are elderly or have a disability.

Medicaid pay for hospital services, doctor visits, prescriptions, nursing home care and other healthcare needs, depending on what program a person is eligible for.

West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program (WV CHIP)

West Virginia CHIP provides health coverage to uninsured children in West Virginia whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but too little to afford private coverage — up to age 19.

For most families, it’s free. Families with incomes above the threshold will pay low monthly premiums and co-pays for some services.

Call 1-877-WVA-CHIP (1-877-982-2447) to apply by phone or to have an application mailed to you or you may apply online at inROADS — the one & only tool to apply for benefits offered by the state of West Virginia.

West Virginia Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment Insurance is a state-operated insurance program designed to partially replace lost wages when you are out of work through no fault of your own. To be eligible, you must have been paid of at least $2200 in the first two of the last five calendar quarters.

If you meet the eligibility requirements of the law, you’re entitled to supplemental income while you are looking for a new job, up to a maximum of $424 per week. In West Virginia, the minimum weekly benefit rate is $24. ¹

West Virginia Higher Education Grant

The West Virginia Higher Education Grant is a need-based financial aid program for undergraduate students who attend an approved private or public university or college in the state of West Virgina or Pennsylvania.

Award amounts vary based on the applicant’s demonstrated level of financial need, up to a maximum of $2,500 for each academic year. For priority consideration, file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before April 15 deadline.

1. Source: VW Benefit Rate Table – and shall apply to benefit years beginning on any day in the year commencing on July 1, 2011 and ending on July 6, 2013.

And yet their meager income is barely enough make ends meet for their families.

Washington isn’t turning a blind eye to the plight of single mothers and other lower income families.

To help them stretch their meager income, a good number of support programs are made available to those who qualify.

From temporary remedies to long-term solutions, the state of Washington strives to help these families ease their financial burden during times of hardship and become self-reliant.

Washington WorkFirst

WorkFirst is Washington’s welfare reform program that helps low-income people and families find jobs, keep their jobs, find better jobs, and become self-sufficient.

Under WorkFirst, welfare assistance is no longer an entitlement. Cash assistance is limited to a total of 60 months. During that time, you must participate in the WorkFirst program or actively looking for a job, unless otherwise exempted.

Those who are eligible for workFirst program but do not need ongoing monthly cash assistance may apply for Diversion Cash Assistance which is an emergency grant, up to $1,250, for those facing a temporary financial crisis.

Washington Basic Food Program (SNAP)

Basic Food is Washington’s name for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which was formerly known as the Food Stamp Program.

It helps low-income individuals and families in Washington obtain a more nutritious diet by supplementing their income with “Basic Food” benefits.

Eligibility is determined by certain factors, mainly your income & household size. The average monthly benefit amount for a family of three in Washington is $367.¹ The lowest monthly benefit for a household of one or two persons is $16.

Washington Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Washington WIC provides nutrient-rich foods, health screening, nutrition education, breastfeeding support and referrals to other health and social services, at no cost, to families who qualify.

Women, infants, and children in Washsington whose gross income falls below certain limits are eligible for $50 worth of healthy foods each month.

To be fully eligible for the program, applicants must be determined by a health professional to be at “nutritional risks”.

Washington Medicaid

Medicaid serves needy individuals and families in Washington who lack adequate resources to pay for medical care. It is also an important source of aid for elderly people in nursing homes.

Eligible participants are children under the age of 19, pregnant women, low-income families with children, and people who are aged, blind, or who have disabilities.

Washington Apple Health for Kids

Apple Health for Kids is a health insurance program for children up to age 19 in Washington who are not eligible for Medicaid and who are uninsured. It covers major medical with special preventive benefits for children, including dental coverage.

Apple Health for Kids is free for all children in families with income at or below 200% of the poverty level, about $36,620 for a family of three. Families above that level, may have to pay a small premium for coverage.

Washington Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

LIHEAP assists eligible low-income households in Washington in meeting their immediate home energy needs.² If eligible, households receive a one-time credit deposited directly into their utility accounts.

The program is designed to help these families keep their heat on, especially those households that are most vulnerable, such as the elderly, the disabled, and households with young children.

Washington Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment insurance helps eligible workers who lost their job through no fault of their own by temporarily replacing part of their wages.

In Washington, the maximum weekly benefit amount is $604. The minimum is $143. No one who is eligible for benefits will receive less than this, regardless of his or her earnings.

As a condition of eligibility, you are required to actively seek suitable employment each week that you file a weekly claim for benefits.

1. The average monthly benefit families received in 2010 was about $245.
2. The income limits are set at 125% of the federal poverty level (FPL)

With limited or no resources, they are forced to make do with what they have. This often leads to many serious consequences

The state of Virginia offers financial assistance to single mothers who carry the burden of providing for their children alone.

This is through different state-specific programs that serve to provide both short and long-term solutions to their problems.

Virginia Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a temporary cash assistance program for very low income families in Virginia. Its primary aim is to assist families near the poverty level to become self-sufficient.

In Virginia, active participation in VIEW – the Virginia Initiative for Employment not Welfare, is required for most people on TANF. The law requires, as a condition of eligibility, a minimum average of 30 hours of work-related activities per week.

Virginia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Virginia SNAP helps low-income people and families in Virginia with cash assistance to buy the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet.

Eligible SNAP participants are issued a Virginia EBT Card used to make food purchases at grocery stores and supermarkets, in lieu of paper food stamp coupons.

Virginia Special Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

WIC is a federally funded program that provides FREE nutritious foods and supplement diets for eligible pregnant women, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children under age five who meet the income guidelines.

To be eligible, you must be a resident of the state of Virginia with income not exceeding 185% of the federal poverty guidelines; and be individually determined by a health professional to be at nutrition risk.

Virginia Medicaid

Medicaid serves needy individuals and families in Virginia who lack adequate resources to pay for medical care for themselves and their children.

Eligible applicants include children under the age of 19, pregnant women, disabled adults, seniors as well as women with breast or cervical cancer.

In order to qualify for Medicaid, you must be a resident of the state of Virginia whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income.

Virginia Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS)

FAMIS is Virginia’s health insurance program for children under age 19. It provides access to quality health services for uninsured children in families that earn too much for FAMIS Plus (Medicaid).

FAMIS Plus is Virginia’s name for children’s Medicaid that covers children in families with lower or no income. FAMIS MOMS will cover women of any age who are pregnant and who are uninsured.

There are no enrollment costs or monthly premiums for FAMIS. For some services, you will have to pay a co-payment. Most co-payments are just $2.00 or $5.00.

Virginia Head Start

Virginia Head Start serves pre-school children ages 3 to 5 from families living at or below the federal poverty level; providing comprehensive educational, health, nutritional, social services, and parent involvement opportunities.

Children in foster care, homeless children, and children from families receiving public assistance are automatically eligible for Head Start, regardless of income. Home-based services to families and child care for infants and toddlers are also available through Early Head Start.

Virginia Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment insurance (UI) provides temporary replacement of lost wages to workers unemployed through no fault of their own that meet Virginia’s eligibility requirements.

Part of the requirement for continuing to receive a weekly unemployment check is that you must be actively seek a job until you find one.

The state of Vermont is aware that without intervention, single mothers are left with little options but to struggle financially.

That’s why programs are set up to provide assistance to single-parent households and other needy families in their quest for self-sufficiency.

Vermont Reach Up

Reach Up helps families with children in Vermont by providing cash assistance for basic necessities and services that support work and self-sufficiency.

Eligibility depends on your income, resources, living expenses, who lives with you, your ability to work, and other factors. In 2012, eligible families of two may receive up to $535 per month.¹

If you’re a single mother with a child under 6 years old, you’re expected, as a condition of eligibility, to work 20 hours per week or participate in approved activities that will lead to a job.

Vermont 3SquaresVT (Food Stamps in Vermont)

3SquaresVT is the name for Vermont’s food stamp program. It provides monthly benefits to low-income Vermonters to help pay for the cost of food. The benefits you may receive will depend on your household size, income, and expenses.

In Vermont, eligible families may get $200 monthly benefits up to $1,202 for a family of eight. If eligible, you will receive an EBT Card, called Vermont Express, which allows food stamp benefits to be issued and accessed electronically.

Vermont Dr. Dynasaur (SCHIP)

Vermont’s Dr. Dynasaur offers affordable, low-cost health insurance for the uninsured children of Vermont from birth through age 18. Pregnant women are also eligible for coverage through the Dr. Dynasaur program.

Benefits include doctor visits, prescription medicines, dental & vision care, immunizations and special services for pregnant women such as lab work and tests, prenatal vitamins and among others.

Pregnant women may pay monthly premiums of up to $15. Families with children may pay monthly premiums of up to $60. There are no co-payments or deductibles.

Vermont Fuel Assistance Program

Fuel Assistance (also known as Home Heating Assistance) can help eligible households in Vermont pay part of their home heating bills. Priority is granted to low-income Vermonters who live in public, subsidized, or Section 8 housing where rent includes the cost of heat.

You may be eligible if your gross household income is equal to or less than 185% of the federal poverty level. Depending on the availability of funding, eligible families may receive up to $543.

Vermont Unemployment Insurance

Unemployment insurance benefits provide short-term replacement of lost wages to workers unemployed through no fault of their own. It is NOT intended to be a permanent source of income.

If you become unemployed and have worked in Vermont in the past 18 months, you may be eligible to receive unemployment insurance. The maximum weekly benefit amount is $425.

1. Source: VTDigger – Reach Up by the numbers.

They are increasingly working one or two jobs and yet they could barely manage to support their families, let alone save for a rainy day.

The state of Utah offers a wide range of programs designed to help single mothers with basic needs such as food, child care, health insurance and more.

Utah Family Employment Program

The Utah Family Employment Program (FEP) helps families in Utah increase their income and become self sufficient through employment. The FEP is designed to serve both single-parent and two-parent families with children under 18 living with them, as well as pregnant women in their third trimester.

The law requires all FEP applicants, as a condition of eligibility, to participate in employment related activities, usually at least 30 hours a week.

Utah Food Stamp Program

The Food Stamp Program serves as the first line of defense against hunger for Utah residents. It provides monthly benefits to eligible families to buy an adequate supply of nutritious food through an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card known as the Utah Horizon Card.

Anyone may apply for food stamp benefits but the program is designed to help those who need food assistance most — low-income families, single mothers, the elderly, and people with disabilities.

Utah Assisted Child Care Program

The Payment-to-Parent Assisted Child Care Program is a federal and state funded program that provides financial assistance to both single and two-parent families in Utah who meet eligibility requirements. Parents receiving child care subsidy must be employed or enrolled in a training program.

The amount of child care assistance is determined based on several factors and often do not cover the entire cost of a provider. Utah currently pays 75% of average childcare costs. In 2011, Utah’s monthly subsidy for center care for a one-year-old was $564. ¹

Utah Medicaid

Medicaid offers health care coverage for Utah low-income residents who meet the program’s eligibility requirements. This mostly includes children under age 18, pregnant women, disabled adults, seniors as well as women with breast or cervical cancer.

In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Utah whose financial situation would be characterized as low income or very low income.

Utah Children’s Health Insurance Program

CHIP is a state health insurance plan for uninsured children who do not qualify for Medicaid. The program covers children from birth through age 18. Once approved, CHIP covers well-child exams, immunizations, dental care, hearing and eye exams, and more.

Most people on CHIP are required to pay premiums and co-pays and in Utah, cost-sharing is limited to 5% of the family’s annual income. Depending on your income, you may pay up to $75 for each quarter.

Utah Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT) Program

The H.E.A.T. program is Utah’s version of the federal LIHEAP program that provides winter utility assistance to low-income households in Utah. Applications are normally accepted annually from November to April of each year.²

Priority is given to those who are truly vulnerable – the lowest-income households with the highest heating costs, the disabled, elderly, and families with preschool-age children.

Utah Unemployment Insurance

Utah Unemployment Insurance provides jobless compensation to eligible unemployed workers through no fault of their own that meet Utah’s eligibility requirements.

It is intended to pay temporary benefits to eligible claimants during times of unemployment when suitable work is not available – up to a maximum of 26 weeks.

To qualify for benefits, you must have earned at least $3300 in the first four of the last five calendar quarters and make at least 4 job new job contacts each week that you file a claim for benefits.

1. Source: National Women’s Law Center
2. If you live in Davis, Morgan, Washington, or Weber county, you may apply before September 30, if funding is available.