Idaho State Assistance For Single Mothers

Help For Single Moms In Idaho

Raising kids in this economy is tough, and it becomes even more tough when you are doing it on your own. Single moms in Idaho have several resources they can turn to when they need a little extra help.

Childcare – Knowing your kids are safe and happy while you are at work is crucial to your success in your job. Sometimes you can save money on childcare expenses by sharing some of the expense with another family. If you have a low income, consider the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP). This Department of Health and Welfare program subsidizes some childcare expenses for low income working families.

Healthcare – Idaho’s primary health-care assistance program is its Medicaid program (http://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/Medical/). The program provides coverage for children, their parents, pregnant women, women with breast or cervical cancer, or the blind and disabled. Families that make too much money for Medicaid may be able to get coverage for their children for a small fee through the Children Health Insurance Plan (CHIP).

Food and Supplies – Your kids will not stay healthy without the right food on the table. If you cannot afford to buy healthy foods, look into Idaho’s Food Stamp Program (http://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/FoodCash). If you make too much money for food stamps and have preschoolers at home, consider applying for WIC, which provides healthy supplemental food through the grocery store as well as nutritional education. Sometimes you face a temporary cash crunch, and during those times consider looking for your local food bank (http://www.idahofoodbank.org/).

Transportation – Reliable transportation is essential if you are going to get and keep a job. If you live in a city, look into the public transportation options. Some private organizations provide reliable transportation as well. A list of these can be found here: http://www.eicap.org/programs. Carpooling with someone in your neighborhood and sharing the gas bill is another option if you do not have your own vehicle.

Rent Assistance – Idaho wants to make sure every child has a warm, safe place to call home. The Idaho Housing and Finance Association oversees several programs to ensure that all families are safely housed. Section 8 rental assistance, public housing options, and the Family Self-Sufficiency program all aim to find housing for needy families in Idaho. For more information visit http://www.ihfa.org/rentalassistance.asp.

Educational Grants - If you would like to head back to school, start by filling out the FAFSA to apply for federal student aid. Idaho recently passed the Recovery & Reinvestment Act for education, and now there are several state grants for higher education. Find out more at http://www.earnmydegree.com. Also, talk to the financial aid department at the school you wish to attend for information about other grants and scholarships.