I remember some extra rough years growing up. My family qualified for public assistance, but my parents never took advantage of the government aid that was there. Partly because of pride and the other part because they weren’t aware of all the help that was available. There’s no shame in the times when you need help, especially if you are a single parent. Moms have it hard enough already. Everyone struggles in their own way. I wish my parents had sought out public assistance, it would have made things a little easier growing up.

Lots of families experience financial hardship here and there, even for families with two working parents on the line like mine. After becoming a first-time mom this year during COVID-19 and struggling through those brutal first months, I just can’t grasp how insanely difficult it must be for single moms who only have limited income sources. According to a report from the US Census Bureau, 30% of families with single mothers are under the poverty line. 

With some diligent research for a newly single mommy pal of mine, I was able to compile a resource list of U.S. government (both state & federal) deployed programs to aid single parents on a continuous basis. Here are some of the most popular financial aids for single moms (and dads) with no or low income.

Note: This list is applicable to only U.S. residents.

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Financial Aid For Single Moms

1. Temporary Assistance For Needy Families (TANF)

The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families or TANF is one of the major financial aids by the government. With this program, qualified participants can receive cash, childcare, and work aid from their local government. Cash assistance is based on the parent’s household income and the number of dependencies under 18 years old. 

Requirements:

• A child or children under 18 years old 
• Monthly income meets the income guideline

Official Website: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ofa/programs/tanf

2. The Women, Infants and Children Program (WIC) 

The Women, Infants, and Children Program or WIC is a federally administered program aimed towards pregnant women, infants, and children under 5 years old. Participants who are at “nutritional risk” are prioritized. When eligible, the participant usually receives monthly food packages or vouchers they can use to purchase specific food items. 

Requirements:

• Children up to 5 years old
• Pregnant or breastfeeding women
• People who are at “nutritional risk”
• Homeless people and migrants with “nutritional risk”

Official Website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic

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3. Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)

The Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program or FMNP is a program that lets beneficiaries buy eligible fruits and vegetables from participating farmer’s markets at a discounted price. Coupons received via FMNPP can be used on these locations: local farmers, farmers’ markets, and roadside stands. Since FMNP is connected to WIC, WIC beneficiaries are automatically eligible to receive benefits. 

Requirements:

• Same with WIC program

Official Website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/fmnp/wic-farmers-market-nutrition-program

4. Unemployment Insurance 

Unemployment Insurance is a government program that gives help to unemployed individuals who are not the fault of their situation. Each state has its own different rules, so check out the link below benefits expectations and application process in your state. This benefit usually lasts up to 26 weeks to help you get a boost in job searching. 

Requirements:

• Unemployed through no fault (it means that getting fired or quitting a job is not valid)
• Must meet wage requirement in the current state 

Official Website (Find Your State): https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/UnemploymentBenefits/find-unemployment-benefits.aspx

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5. Additional Child Tax Credit

Known as Child Tax Credit or CTC, this program lets family breadwinners deduct tax credit to the income tax amount.  Anyone with children under 17 can claim tax credits. The tax credit will depend on the number of children you have in your family. If your payable tax amount is reduced to zero after subtracting tax credit, the amount you owe is also reduced to zero. In addition, you can refund up to $1,400.

Requirements:

• Must have children under 17 years old at the end of the tax year
• Adjust gross income of $200,000 or less

Official Website: https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/individuals/earned-income-tax-credit/earned-income-tax-credit-income-limits-and-maximum-credit-amounts

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Electronic Benefits Transfers (EBT):

6. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 

This program is the biggest food assistance program of the US Government. SNAP is formerly known as Food Stamps, but are renamed last 2008. It is very similar to WIC in essence, but the eligibility and benefits are different. The WIC program is focused more on women and children who are having difficulties in getting food to remain healthy. On the other hand, SNAP has a larger scope and benefits but has more restrictive eligibility requirements. Beneficiaries of SNAP will also receive discounts when shopping in a SNAP Retailer store.

I tried to get myself on the SNAP challenge as an experiment and failed miserably.

Requirements:

• The beneficiary must have a household monthly income below 130 percent of the poverty line ($1,778 for a 3-person family as of 2020)
• State-level specific requirements

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7. National School Lunch Program (NSLP)

The National School Lunch Program or NSLP is a federal program that is available for both public and nonprofit private schools around the country. It provides free or low-cost lunch for children who are members of low-income families. Schools should provide meals that meet the standards set by the Food and Nutrition Service and the United States Department of Agriculture. 

Requirements:

• If the child’s family participates in SNAP 
• If the child is enrolled in any Head Start Program
• Family size and income 
• Children who live with families living below the poverty line
• Check the income guideline here

8. The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP)

TEFAP is another food assistance program from the US Department of Agriculture. USDA foods are distributed to people who qualify for these benefits. Each state has its own guidelines for food distribution (food that beneficiaries receive can change depending on the market and agricultural conditions). Instead of directly giving vouchers or food packets, TEFAP partners with local agencies to distribute the food (e.g. food banks, soup kitchens, etc). You can check out the list of food usually distributed by TEFAP in this webpage.

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Free Health Care And Education Programs

9. Children Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

The Children Health Insurance Program provides healthcare for children under low-income families. Healthcare services like routine check-ups, prescriptions, dental and vision care, immunizations, and inpatient/outpatient care are covered with this program. Although each state covers CHIP, the requirement varies from one state to another. You can apply for benefits by calling 1-800-318-2596 or via the Health Insurance Marketplace online. 

Requirements: 

Check with your state for more specific requirements and information about CHIP. 

10. Pell Grant

Single moms who want o go back to school can take advantage of the Pell Grant, a federal program that gives assistance for low-income students. Unlike student debt, you don’t really have to pay the government to give you cash assistance. The help you will receive is usually the gap between your expected family contribution and your cost of attendance. For example, if your cost of attendance is about $15,000, but you can only pay for $10,000, the remaining $5,000 will be shouldered by the program. 

Requirements: 

• FAFSA form
• Citizen of the United States
• Enrolled in a certificate or degree program at a participating college
• Undergraduate or vocational students only

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Housing And Utility Bills Help

11. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Housing Assistance

The Department of Housing and Urban Development or HUD provides subsidies for low-income families. HUD will work directly with property owners to lessen up the rent expense of families in the program. Because of this, the family beneficiaries will only pay for a discounted monthly rent expense. 

Requirements: 

• Applicants must past the income limit requirement (check out the income limit requirement here)

12. Low Income Energy Beal Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

The Low Income Home Emergency Assistance Program is another financial assistance that aims to help low-income families by reducing their utility bills. Like HUD, the government works directly with energy providers for the LIHEAP aid. Eligible families can choose between one-time winter assistance that can range from $45 to $450 or a crisis intervention program where the utilities are about to be shut off due to payment difficulties. The second option can net $300 worth of benefits during the summer and $800 during the winter. 

Requirements: 

• LIHEAP income eligibility (check your local LIHEAP office) 

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State-Specific Aid Programs

Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) 

The Minnesota Family Investment Program or MFIP can be described as “teaching a family how to fish, and sharing your catch at the same time.” In conjunction with the Diversionary Work Program or DWP (where parents receive employment help), MFIP gives cash assistance until the family’s finances are better. This program is aimed at children and pregnant women and usually runs for up to 60 months. 

Requirements: 

• Pass the income test
• Owns assets not more than $10,000

New Hampshire Employment Program (NHEP)

The New Hampshire Employment Program is very similar to MFIP. The only big difference is that NHEP is aimed to give help to able-bodied people. As a level-up to MFIP, NHEP has programs that give GED-Equivalency Diploma, on-the-job training, and job search assistance. 

Requirements:

• Able-bodied and is between 16 to 60 years of age

Kansas Successful Families Program

The Kansan Successful Families Program is similar in benefits to both MFIP and NHEP. It is designed to help families who want to improve their financial situation while getting basic necessities at the same time. 

Requirements:

• Able-bodied and under 60 years old
• At least one child under 19

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Where To Get Help During COVID-19 Lockdown?

There are millions of families and individuals who are currently affected by the COVID-19 lockdown. The situation is now affecting the economy, businesses, and families who rely on monthly income to get their basic needs and will likely have no emergency savings. To help people in low-income families, the US government created the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES. Here are the information and programs relating to this act. 

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

• Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) – FPUC is an unemployment aid that provides a weekly allowance of $600 on top of the regular Unemployment Insurance benefits.
• Pandemic Unemployment Assitance (PUA) – PUA temporarily expands Unemployment Insurance to people who are self-employed, freelancers, and independent contractors. 
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) – PUA provides benefit coverage extensions for people who already exhausted their Unemployment Insurance benefits. This extension lasts for 13 weeks. 

In the states, community colleges accept every living breathing human body that wants to prolong their education – all for a low and affordable price. But junior colleges don’t have the best reputation among high schoolers.

There was an air of judgment, at least at my school. I’m pretty sure it’s like that at almost all schools. Your school of choice/university is the cumulation of the work from all those years of awkward teen hell. People think going to community college first is basically saying, “Hi, I flunked high school, and I didn’t wanna go the army route soooo.”

But I really wish someone wrote this for me when I was a high school senior. I could have chosen to go to community college, I knew it was going to be cheaper, but I just couldn’t pride-wise. Now that I’m an actual adult – I question my own judgment and ignorance. I would have walked away $20,000+ richer.

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1. Community College Saves Money

Its a norm in the US to get into student debt in order to afford higher education. Acquiring any debt before you have the chance and skills to work in a professional environment can damage future plans, including marriage and career paths.

According to the Federal Reserve, in 2017 alone, the typical student debt that someone accumulates after four years of staying in a college is between $20,000 to $25,000, with monthly payments taking between $200 to $300 monthly.

Meanwhile, the average Community College Debt for graduating students takes about $13,719 (source). According to Collegeboard, the average yearly tuition for a public two-year college is only $3,440!

Students can also apply for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), making the cost of studying even lower. Basically, in a typical university, students often pay $400 to $600 per credit hour, which means $1,200 to $1,800 per class. In community college, credit per hour charges between $45 to $250, which could mean $375 to $1,425 per class.

Attending a community college will also benefit your living cost. You could rent, getting a car, and worrying about your food or washing expenses living with parents. Living at home might be boring, but it is also a great way to save money.

2. Good for Credit Scores

Building a good credit score is one of the sneakiest yet most critical part of administering finances. According to FinAid, payment history weighs 35% of your score. This indicates how late or early you are in meeting your payments. Ideally, the earlier you pay your debts, the better. The lesser the amount of debt you need to pay, the easier it is for you to meet your payments, which would mean a better credit score.

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3. Higher Future Cash Flow

According to Pew Research, young college graduates usually have second jobs and are struggling financially, basically because a huge chunk of their income goes to student debt repayment. In addition, a study by Holger Sieg and Yu Wang revealed that having student debt can negatively affect marriage, career, investment, and educational prospects down the road.

With less or no student debt at all, expect more cash flow and funds available. More cash flow means ticking the positive net worth box sooner. This includes money goals for yourself to further take your life to the next level with assets like stocks, bonds, and real estate properties.

4. More Flexibility with Work and Study

What makes community colleges attractive to some students is the fact that they can have more opportunities to work. According to the Community College Research Center, about 80% of the community college students are working while 39% are working full-time jobs. Night and weekend classes are available in community college, it’s a lot more flexible.

Working while studying helps in the future attitude of recent college kids. The kids from my university that didn’t work/didn’t have to work…guess what – they partied and slept in a lot.

Being exposed to a workplace early on develops communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. According to the ManpowerGroup survey cited by Harvard Business Review, 50% of organizations consider early skills mentioned above to be the most valued workplace skills.

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5. Community College Is Still a College

According to the Harvard Business Review, two-thirds of college graduates struggle to start their careers. However, those who are from community colleges who earned an associate’s degree earn more than $8,000 more compared to those who have just a high school degree. If a 4-year university isn’t in the cards yet, definitely still go to community college.

Having more time to work means more time to find internships in the field that you want to be transferred to when you’re ready to go onto a 4-year university. According to SUNY, internships usually increases the marketability of a professional, as well as benefits networking. 

6. Easier Admission Transfer to a 4-Year College

Although community colleges have a bad reputation by accepting students with low grades, this doesn’t mean that the quality of these schools is low. In fact, what community colleges offer is a chance to redeem your academic path by making it easier to transfer to a university.

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By getting an associate degree, you can transfer your earned credits to a 4-year university in order to finish your bachelor’s degree. This process gives second chances to young adults who want to attend universities later. It’s a fresh start for young adults who all deserve second chances.

7. More Time to Find Yourself

This is about 85% of the reason why I wish I attended community college first. Money made up the rest of the 15%. It’s weird they let know-nothing 18-year-olds to decide on their major (and what they want to do for the rest of their life). Especially because most 18-year-olds have rarely lived in the real world or know enough about themselves to decide on a truly fitting lifelong career path. I didn’t know myself until I was over 26 years old.

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If you’re one of the students who have a hard time choosing what to take for college, taking up general courses would be a better choice. Going to a community college will let you earn credits while you’re still trying to sort your career path.

9 Famous Community College Graduates

There are some people who will give tell you community college is a waste of time. I took courses at community college when I was in high school, there are yes, a few people who have been there for years only half trying in class. But plenty of other students are late simply bloomers, on a budget, or just buried talents. Here are some very successful people (and I’m sure there’s more I haven’t looked into) that attended community college.

1. Steve Jobs – De Anza College

Before being known as the founder of Apple Computers, Steve Jobs attended De Anza College. He first enrolled at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, only to drop out six months later. Jobs attended De Anza College of two semesters. He would eventually launch the first ever Macintosh in 1984 the Flint Center in De Anza College, saying “Now I’d like to show you Macintosh in person.”

2. George Lucas – Modesto Junior College

George Lucas is known as the creator of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, two popular franchises all around the world. He attended Modesto Junior College and studied anthropology, sociology, and literature. During this time, his love at films started when he began using an 8 mm camera for filming car races.

3. Arnold Schwarzenegger – Santa Monica College

Arnold Schwarzenegger is known for his films and involvement in politics (The Governatorrr). He started taking English classes at Santa Monica College in 1977, where he earned a degree by correspondence later on from the University of Wisconsin-Superior

4. Morgan Freeman – Los Angeles City College

As an award-winning actor and film director, Morgan Freeman is a legend in Hollywood. He is known for movies like as “Million Dollar Baby”, “Driving Miss Daisy”, “Now You See Me”, and “Deep Impact.” Freeman was a former soldier when he moved to Los Angeles and attended the Los Angeles City College, where he also worked as a transcript clerk.

5. Tom Hanks – Chabot Community College

Thomas Jeffrey Hanks is known for his excellent acting in both dramatic and comedic roles. He is currently the 4th highest-grossing actor in North America. As a part of his acting training, he went to Chabot Community College and studied theater before transferring to California State University.

6. James Dean – Santa Monica College

James Dean is one of the most popular actors in his generation, as well as in the whole history of Hollywood. Although he only has a handful of movies before dying in an accident, he made sure that he will be known for his excellent acting. Surprisingly, he considered a career in law as he was enrolled in Santa Monica College and took pre-law. Dean managed to get transferred to UCLA, changing his major to drama.

7. Jim Lehrer – Victoria College

Jim Lehrer is known for being the former Executive Editor and a former news anchor for the PBS News Hour. Starting his career from being a political columnist, he became one of the most recognizable TV journalists. But before graduating from Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri, he got an Associates degree from Victoria College.

8. Eileen Collins – Corning Community College

Getting in the space is not an easy task, being the commander of a space shuttle is even harder. Eileen Collins proved that everything is achievable when she became the first female pilot, as well as the first female commander of a space shuttle. Collins went to Corning Community College and received an associate’s degree in Mathematics and Science before earning more degrees from traditional universities.

9. Halle Berry – Cuyahoga Community College

Award-winning actress Halle Berry is known for her role as Leticia Musgrove in the 2001 romantic drama movie “Monster’s Ball.” She was also a model and joined a handful of beauty contests, one of which was Miss Wolrd 1986 where she got the sixth place. But before that, Berry studied at Cuyahoga Community College and studied Journalism.