Due to the HUGE amount of misinformation about grants, I’ve decided to put together a bit of a F&Q.

• Question 1: Are there legitimate government grants for single mothers available?

At this time, the federal government does not give out SPECIFIC grants for single mothers. Grants offered by the federal government are usually aimed at large-scale organizations. However, the government does give grant money to organizations who aim to better the local community or service a specific need group like single moms; it may be possible to get some sort of aid from a GOVERNMENT-SUPPORTED private organization.

You can visit grants.gov website to look around for yourself to see what federal grants are offered — you never know what you might find. There may be some STATE grants given out to low income families, of which single mothers often qualify.

There are a whole source of private grants you might get as a single mother, however.

• Question 2: What are some legit government grants that I might be able to qualify for a single mother?

Families First/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
This is a very useful aid program that aims to give out small bits of cash to needy families. The program is really meant for families with children that can’t buy the basic necessities. The program is not “free”, however. Parents who want to participate in this must work for at least 30 hours a week or participate in some sort of job training program. So keep this in mind. Kids must also stay in school and their basic medication needs have to be met. Depending on the circumstances, you might also be applicable for some basic food stamps.

CHIP Program
This program represents the Children’s Health Insurance program. This is an insurance plan that is funded by the federal government and has been made available in every single state. The program itself is really aimed at people who are unable to afford the basic insurance programs out there. The program helps to cover basic medical, dental, and vision. For those needy single mothers, this is a useful program.

WIC
The Womens, Infants, and Childrens program is a very successfull government programs that targets moms and single families that don’t have enough money to live. Every month, free coupons are given out for free items. The items are items that pregnant women or children under the age of five years might need. The WIC has a large budget so it’s not that difficult to qualify for the program.

Fee or Reduced Meal Program
Many children only ever eat proper meals at school. The government recognizes this and makes available free meals or subsidized meals in schools around the United States. If your family does meet the income requirement criteria, you might qualify.

Food Stamp Program
This is a program that was started in 1964 to eliminate malnutrition among the US population. If you don’t have enough food to feed your family or you have been laid off from a job, you should consider applying for this program. Each year, millions worth in food coupons are distributed.

Visit your local Visit your local Department of Human Services to see if you qualify!

Keep in mind these are only SOME of the government-based grant/aid programs for single mothers and needy families made available.

• What are some private grant programs I can apply for?

There are aid organizations and other private organizations that do make available grant programs. Keep in mind that you must meet a strict set of criteria before you qualify. Many of these programs aim to help single mothers get back on their feet. Not all the programs give direct financial aid, but might provide assistance in other ways, such as shelter, job training, counseling, and basic necessities. Some businesses (or websites), may offer “grant or scholarship” prizes each month — these are basically private “giveaway” programs where a few thousand dollars might be given out each month to a single mother. You should look around online to see what you can find for private aid or look through your local phonebook to see if you can find aid organizations. YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SEARCH TO FIND THE AID YOU NEED! Don’t forget this! If anything looks too easy online, it’s probably a scam.

• A NOTE ABOUT SCAMS ONLINE

There are many websites that offer to get you guaranteed grants or scholarships. These are almost 100% fake. Almost of of these websites/companies will ask for money to process the grant, then promise you thousands of dollars in free money. One such program is the so called OBAMA grant. Be warned, these are scams. Getting any sort of grant is difficult at the best of times and you often have to go through an application process and approval process that would scare most people. So don’t expect any “easy” money. Fortunately, the above programs listed are some tangible ways to get some real help.

I will update this F&Q in time. If you know about any more programs for single moms (legit ones), submit them to me please.