Understand your options.
Build a steadier budget.
Explore help with food, cash, child care, child support and tax credits, and find official resources for your next step.
Program directory
Support for single moms, at a glance.
Most help is based on income and household size rather than marital status.
- 01
- Support
- Healthy food for moms and kids under 5
- Learn about
- Who qualifies and where to go
- 02
- Support
- Monthly grocery benefits
- Learn about
- Income rules and applying
- 03
- Support
- Monthly cash aid and work support
- Learn about
- State rules and time limits
- 04
- Support
- Help paying for child care
- Learn about
- Finding your state program
- 05
- Support
- Paternity, orders and collection
- Learn about
- Opening a child support case
- 06
- Support
- A refundable tax credit for workers
- Learn about
- Who qualifies and how to claim it
Program eligibility and benefits depend on individual circumstances. Check the official guidance.
Getting started
Building your support plan.
Child support, child care help and food benefits are often the first three to look at.
- 1Cover food and health firstApply for SNAP, WIC and Medicaid or CHIP for your children.
- 2Ask about child care helpMany states help working parents pay for care.
- 3Open a child support caseYour state agency can help establish and collect support.
- 4File your taxesClaim the EITC and any child credits on your return.
- 5Keep your paperwork togetherSave letters, deadlines and proof of income in one place.
Common assumptions
Assumptions worth checking before you apply
- AssumptionThere is a special federal grant just for single mothers.What to checkMost help comes from programs based on income and household size. Check each one.
- AssumptionChild care help is only for families on TANF.What to checkMany states help working parents with child care costs based on income.
- AssumptionChild support services cost a lot.What to checkState child support agencies offer services for little or no fee.
- AssumptionWIC is only for babies.What to checkWIC serves pregnant women, new mothers and children up to age 5.
Common pitfalls
Details that slow down family aid
- Missed renewalsPut every renewal date on a calendar.
- Unreported changesTell agencies about income or household changes on time.
- Missing documentsKeep birth certificates and proof of income ready.
Frequently asked questions
Single mom benefits questions.
There is no single federal grant just for single mothers. Most help comes from programs like SNAP, WIC, TANF, Medicaid, child care assistance and the EITC, which are based on income and household size.
Each state runs a child care assistance program for eligible families, often for parents who work or go to school. Childcare.gov links to your state's program.
Contact your state or local child support agency. It can help establish paternity, set up a support order and collect payments, for little or no fee.
Most adults receiving TANF must take part in work activities, such as a job, job search or training. States set the details and some exemptions, so ask your TANF office.
Yes, if you have earned income and meet the rules. You claim it on your federal tax return, and free filing help is available through IRS volunteer programs.
Official sources
Official program pages
Independent guide
GrantsHubUSA explains programs and links to official resources. We do not run these programs or process applications.
Read our editorial policyEligibility wizard
Answer a few questions and see which programs are worth a closer look. Only the agency decides eligibility.