Washington State Assistance For Single Mothers
Help For Single Moms In Washington
The state of Washington offers several aid programs for needy families. Many of these give single moms in Washington the support they need to care for their children and provide them with a happy, healthy childhood.
Childcare – Through the Working Connections Child Care Program single moms and other parents who are working or training for work in an approved Department of Social and Human Services program can find help paying for quality childcare for their kids. The type of childcare can be in a licensed center, a family’s home, or even the child’s own home, provided the childcare provider is approved by the program. This allows many single moms the ability to get and keep a good job to help better their family’s situation.
Health Care – Single moms who cannot get insurance through their employer can turn to the state for help. Financially eligible families can get Medicaid through the Healthy Options program. Healthy Options covers the entire family. The state’s health insurance program for children helps uninsured and under insured children find access to medical care. Those who are not eligible for Medicaid may wish to get coverage through the Washington State Health Insurance Pool, which is an independent, non-profit health plan created for individuals who have been denied health care elsewhere.
Food and Supplies – Single moms who struggle to afford the basic necessities will find support through several state programs. If the need is urgent and temporary, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families offers a cash benefit to help families get back on their feet. For moms who need help buying groceries, the Washington Basic Food Program offers help paying for healthy food. Moms of preschoolers, babies, and toddlers can apply for WIC, which gives vouchers for certain foods like milk, eggs, and cheese.
Transportation – Several counties in Washington state have public transportation options that single moms can use to get around town (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Transit/). When these do not provide a viable alternative, moms who do not own a vehicle can opt for a carpool setup with a coworker. Remember to offer gas money when you do not have a vehicle to contribute to the carpooling agreement.
Rent Assistance – Washington State offers several rent assistance programs to low-income families in their state. Income eligibility is based on the location where they live, but many single moms are eligible for some sort of assistance. These programs are offered with funding through the Housing Division of the Department of Commerce.
College Grants – To find assistance in heading back to school, file the FAFSA to apply for federal aid. Then, talk to the financial aid department at your chosen school to learn of any state or local grants you may be eligible for.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I am in great need of some information. I am a single mother of three. a daughter who is 13 a son who is 12 and another son who is 9. I got a divorce eight yrs ago and have since recived 2 dollars in child support. I have recently been let off of TANAF due to time line reached and tried for a extension with no avail. I am desperate and have NO blood family in washington state. my family is in alaska. if I had the oppertunity I would move back knowing I could recieve so much more help in AK. but as circumstances go I cannot and now I am struggling so much that I am in fear of loseing my children. I have had a hard run at life and got into some trouble the year I left my husband (8 yrs ago) and got charged with a felony assult which has hindered me in any kind of goverment help at all. I have been turned down NUMOROUS times from bellingham housing authority when asking for help and even TWICE asked for a appeal to explain my case and that I have been doing so good for the past five yrs. but it doesn’t matter to them I guess. I have tried to see if my tribe in alaska will help or my corporation and they both say the same thing. that I would recive help if I lived there. I am at my wits end and on my knees begging for a angel to help with some info on how I can legitametlly recive some help. I am currently not working either due to no transportation because I owe 760$ more dollars to get my licence back
feels like sometimes my kids would be better off with a family that CAN take care of them but that is giving up and I have done it this long!! I refuse to let that happen!! I am going to have no choice pretty soon though 
so if someone has any help they can offer or advice it would be greatly appriciated! also I have no problem working! I would even walk to work if I had to if someone was to give me the oppertunity!! I have been trying really I have but as soon as some one see’s a assult felony they shut down completely with out asking me about it or letting me tell them the circumstances. I beg of anyone for any kind of help please..stranded in washington rebecca
i am a 23 year old pregnant mom at 8weeks no job no home no transportation…… i am homeless and want to earn my ged.. can you refer me to help sources.. in Spokane Washington…
For the mothers above. Dialing 211 from any phone is a great reference. I called them when I was at my worst.
I am 22 years old. I have 3 children, one is four, two (twins) are three. I love my boys! Their father hasn’t seen them, or even made a phone call to check on them for a little over a year now. But thats okay. We’re better off without him.
I am hardworking and was lucky to find a company that is flexible with my living situation.. although I work M-F 8:30 to 5:00 I am able to take some paid time off to take my kids to appointments etc… Recently I have decided to go back to school in order to obtain an Associates Degree of Applied Science in Accounting. I feel like obtaining a degree will help me better my life and the life of my children.. as well as get off of state assistance. I was able to coordinate the classes will to be after work, a few days out of the week. I am fortunate enough to still get assistance from the State of WA for Childcare. I pay a pretty hefty co-pay, but its better than paying full price. If I had to pay full price, I wouldn’t even be able to pay for my rent/food/bills/etc… Anyway, I was hoping that the state would be able to help me pay for childcare while I was in school. FASFA only covers your school if you are going for a degree, not a certificate. Well, I just spoke to someone at DSHS after being on hold for 1 hour, and they told me that I will need to lower my standards to a certificate program.. otherwise, they will not be able to help me with my childcare while in school.
Does that make sense to anyone? They would rather I go for a certificate rather than a degree… hm. I’m pretty sure potential employers (who will be able to pay their employees more) would rather hire a person with a degree, rather than a certificate. And if I go for just a certificate, I won’t be able to get assistance through FASFA for my schooling. That just doesn’t make sense to me. I don’t know.
Am I crazy for thinking that? I would be completely off of state assistance if I could get a better/higher paying job. I don’t know. For me, it seems like the state is willing to help — but only to an extent. It upsets me because I know if I were to do drugs or sit on a couch and let my kids run around all scrubby. The state would 1) pay for my housing (or have an easier chance of getting housing 2) hand me cash 3) give me food stamps 4) it’d be easier for me to get assistance with paying my bills 5) they’d give me hygeine products.. the list could go on. But, thats not what I want to out of life for me and my kids. Is there anything I can do to get childcare covered for my boys while is school? Could the lady have been wrong?
Oh yeah, FYI. FASFA does not cover all of my schooling costs, which is fine I am paying some out of pocket expenses.