As many single mothers find out rather quickly, it is difficult to support a family with only one income. With the economy the way it has been, and with the rising costs of everything from paper towels to toothpaste it can be daunting. Single mothers have options, however. Utah has several programs that can provide financial assistance to families in need.
Most families have had times in their lives when the proverbial belt had to be tightened. It happens to all families at one time or another. However, if you are a single mother and you have to cut back, it usually means it takes from the food budget.
Utah offers cash assistance to low income families in need. In order to qualify for actual cash payments, however, you have to be able to be very strict eligibility guidelines. http://www.utahcap.org/programs/cash-assistance.php Otherwise, there are other options available for single moms to consider.
If you are pregnant or have children under the age of five, you may qualify for the WIC program. This program offers nutritional counseling and vouchers for foods that are rich in calcium and iron to help children and pregnant mothers get the nutrition they need. WIC is a national program that you can find information on at any Department of Health and Human Services building in town. http://health.utah.gov/wic/ This link will provide additional information for you to read about as well.
If a medical need arises in the family and you do not have health insurance, what could have been difficult can become devastation. If a single mom does not have access to medical insurance, it may be possible to qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid is insurance through the state that you do not have to pay for. It does have qualification guidelines, however, so it is important to know what you need to bring in order to apply. You can go to http://health.utah.gov/medicaid/ to find more information.
For single mothers who do not qualify for Medicaid, there is the Children’s Health Insurance Plan (CHIP). http://health.utah.gov/chip/ The website is full of details about the program and qualifications.
It can be discouraging to see how much child care takes out of your take home pay. With the costs of child care rising every year, it may seem daunting that a single mother will ever get completely on her feet. However, there is assistance through Utah’s Office of Childcare. There may be funds available to subsidize the cost of local child care. This can help a single mom bring home more of her paycheck. http://jobs.utah.gov/opencms/occ/occ2/index.html For more information or to look at frequently asked questions, check out the website.
Everyone needs a roof over their heads in order to raise a family. If you are struggling to pay your rent, or if you live in an area that you feel is unsafe, you may qualify for Section 8 Housing under the HUD department. For information pertaining to housing assistance, you should contact your local Housing department.