South Dakota State Assistance For Single Mothers

Help For Single Moms In South Dakota

Single moms often struggle to balance the demands of a career and a family. Sometimes simple day-to-day needs cannot be met because of the financial strain of raising kids on one income. When this happens, South Dakota single moms will find several resources they can turn to.

Childcare – For single moms and other families who meet certain income requirements, South Dakota offers a Child Care Assistance program. This allows them to have help paying for care for their children when they work or attend school. Even if you do not qualify for other government aids, you might qualify for assistance in paying for childcare as long as you are willing to make a co-payment.

Healthcare - South Dakota offers a variety of health care assistance program. Medical Assistance for Low-Income Families applies to any families that have a child under the age of 18 who is still living in the home. The Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP ) offers medical services to uninsured and underinsured children who may not qualify under the Medical Assistance program.

Food and Supplies – South Dakota offers three main services to families who need help with basic food and supplies needs. Many single moms can get temporary help through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF ). This provides an actual cash benefit to help moms as they transition to a better financial situation. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP ) offers help purchasing healthy foods. Those who just need a little support in buying food for their families may benefit from the state’s WIC program (http://doh.sd.gov/wic/).

Transportation - Even though South Dakota is quite rural, it does have an extensive public transportation system. The rural public transportation program (http://www.sddot.com/fpa/transit/) offers an affordable option for single moms who need a ride to work but do not own a car.

Rent Assistance – For single moms who are struggling to keep their homes, the South Dakota Housing Development Authority offers information on rent assistance programs. Single-parent families may qualify for Section 8 housing assistance through HUD. This includes both project based and tenant based rental assistance.

College Grants – The state of South Dakota’s Board of Regents offers information for prospective college students who are seeking student aid. Single moms should realize that they have more of an opportunity to better their situations with further education, and financial aid options combined with flexible class schedules make this a possible reality for many.