Financial Resources for Single Moms – Complete Database

We’ve all been there—staring at a never-ending list of bills with no idea how we’re going to make ends meet. As a single mom, it can feel like you’re constantly struggling to keep your head above water financially. But you’re not alone, and there are many tools to help you financially thrive. There are plenty of financial resources for single moms, from personal finance tools to debt relief programs.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help—it’s out there if you know where to look.

Here are my favorite financial resources for single moms that every mama needs to know.

Personal Finance Tools and Financial Literacy Resources for Single Moms 

Personal finance is one of those real world skills that don’t get enough attention in schools. But learning how to manage your money is crucial, especially if you’re a single mom trying to make ends meet on one income. Here are some apps and resources to help you establish the basics. 

 

YNAB	A great personal finance and budgeting app.
Intuit Mint	One of the best and most popular personal finance apps out there. Great for expense tracking.
Mvelopes	A budgeting app based on the Envelopes method of saving and budgeting.
Saverlife	A nonprofit that helps you save money and rewards you for building up your emergency savings account.
Clever Girl Finance	Offers courses and resources specifically catered to women.
Women Who Money	Another great educational resource for women.

Investing

Investing isn’t just for rich men in suits anymore.  You can start investing with very little money, and there are plenty of resources available to help you get started. If you’re not sure where to begin, try checking out some of these investing resources. 

 

Ellevest	Creates and manages a personalized investment portfolio. Designed with women in mind.
Girls Who Invest	Education and Training for Women in Finance
Savvy Ladies	Financial literacy resources aimed at women with a focus on investing
Women Investors Club	Investment-centric financial literacy space for women
Female Invest	Another great resource for advice, masterclasses, and webinars about investing aimed at women.

 

Higher Education Savings

Some of the most useful financial resources for single moms are the tools that help us plan for the future. And one of the best ways to secure your financial future is by investing in higher education—whether for your children, or even for yourself!

There are a number of ways to save for college, including 529 plans and other college savings tools. If you’re not sure where to start, check out these savings tools for college.

 

529 Plans	Read the SEC’s advice about 529 plans. These are tax-free savings plans to help you save for your child’s education.
Coverdell ESA	Read the IRS’s information about Coverdell Education Savings Accounts. These are custodial accounts designed for education expenses.
UTMA (Uniform Transfer to Minors Act) Account	These custodial accounts allow minors to save and invest tax-free until they’re adults.
529 Prepaid Tuition Plans	You and your family can pre-pay your child’s tuition at eligible universities.
Roth IRA	These retirement accounts can be used to pay for qualified education expenses.

 

Higher Education Scholarships and Grants

And while we’re on the topic of higher education financial resources for single moms, let’s talk about how you can secure FREE cash to get you or your children through college.  That’s right, there are scholarships and grants available specifically for households like yours. 

 

Pell Grant	A federal grant for those without bachelor’s or professional degrees.
FSEOG	Grants for low-income undergraduate students.
Adult Skills Education Program	An assistance program run by the Imagine America Foundation.
UNCF	Runs scholarship programs for women of color.
AAUW	American Association of University Women offers grants for women attending colleges and universities.

 

Tax Assistance and Tax Credits

No one likes to think about paying taxes, but for you mama, taxes can mean big time financial benefits. One of the often overlooked financial resources for single moms is tax credits. You may be eligible for a number of different tax breaks and credits. 

 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance	Offers free tax help to those in need.
The Women’s Building	Offers free tax help to women in need.
Earned Income Tax Credit	Helps low- to moderate-income workers and families get a tax break. You can use the credit to reduce the taxes you owe – and maybe increase your refund.
Child and Dependant Care Credit	Tax credit to help you pay for the care of children and other dependants.
What is My Filing Status?	Find out your eligibility for tax credits on the IRS’s website.

 

Healthcare and Health Insurance

Preventative and emergency health care should always be a priority for single moms and their families. But sometimes, health care costs can seem out of reach. If you’re struggling to pay for healthcare, there are a number of resources available to help, including government assistance programs and private grants. 

 

Maternal and Child Health Block Grant	Administered by the Health Resource and Services Administration, this grant provides access to healthcare services on a low-or-no cost basis.
Children’s Health Insurance Program	CHIP provides low-cost health coverage to children in families that don’t qualify for Medicaid. In some states, CHIP covers pregnant women. Each state offers CHIP coverage, and works closely with its state Medicaid program.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance	Helps connect uninsured/underinsured patients with access to prescription medications.
Vaccines for Children Program	No cost vaccines for children.
Consolidated Health Centers	Primary and preventative health care and social services to people in need.

 

Debt Relief and Loan Forgiveness

If you’re struggling with debt, you’re not alone. Millions of households across the nation are drowning in high-interest credit card debt and loan repayments. But  there is help available. If you’re struggling to make ends meet, consider these debt relief options. 

 

National Debt Relief	Provides debt consolidation services.
Student Loan Forgiveness	Learn more about the types of forgiveness and whether you qualify due to your job or other circumstances.
How to negotiate settlement with a debt collector	Read the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s advice on settling debt.
Find a Credit Counselor	The Justice Department’s database of approved credit counseling agencies.

 

Child Care Assistance

Working mamas know that  child care is one of the biggest expenses associated with having a family.  But there are plenty of resources available to help offset the cost of child care, including government assistance programs, sliding-scale fees, and even employer-sponsored child care programs. Check out some of these programs if you could use a hand with child care. 

 

Child Care Financial Assistance	Find local public services for child care and support.
Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program	Supports low-income parents pursuing postsecondary education by providing campus child care services.
Special Education Parent Training and Information Centers Program	Provides training and information about rights and protections for those with disabilities. Also helps families with planning and decision making related to Special Ed, transitional services, and Individualized Education Programs.
Child Care Development Fund	Assists low-income families with child care to aid employment, training, and education.

 

Housing

One of the most stressful parts of learning to manage your finances as an independent woman is figuring out how to afford housing for your family. But there are plenty of resources available to help, including government assistance programs, low-income housing options, and even grants for home repairs. 

 

Dept of Housing and Urban Development Rental Assistance State Directory	Find rental assistance resources in your state.
Dept of Housing and Urban Development Public Housing Agency	Local listings for public housing.
Affordable Housing Locator	Find affordable housing in your area using this interactive map.
Emergency Rental Assistance Program	makes funding available to assist households that are unable to pay rent or utilities
United Way Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program	A database of state and local aid organizations.
CoAbode	The Home Sharing program connects single mothers whose interests and parenting philosophies are compatible, with the purpose of sharing a home and raising their children together.
Home Affordable Modification Program	Offers homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure reduced monthly mortgage payments that are affordable and sustainable over the long-term.

 

Food Assistance

Keeping your family fed can be stressful, especially as we head into another recession.  But there are plenty of resources available to help you make ends meet, here are some of my favorites. 

 

SNAP food assistance	The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides monetary aid in the form of EBT cards, or “food stamps,” for struggling families.
Feeding America	Find a food bank near you.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)	Provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk.
The Emergency Food Assistance Program	Helps supplement the diets of low-income families by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost.

 

Crowdfunding

Finally,  if you’re in need of some extra financial assistance, crowdfunding can be a great option. Platforms like GoFundMe make it easy to set up a campaign and start raising money from your community. 

 

GoGetFunding	These fundraising websites can be used to allow friends, family, and social media followers to donate to any cause you like.
GoFundMe
FreeFunder
Indiegogo

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