Raising a child can be scary, especially if you’re doing it as a single mother or father. It takes a lot to do it well. You need to find a way to provide for your family financially, but it also takes a lot of mental work and energy. If you’re doing it all on your own, it can leave you feeling tired and drained.
Luckily, there are many organizations and programs out there that can help single parents. If you find yourself in need of financial, medical, or emotional assistance, here are some programs in the state of Illinois that can help.
Government Programs for Single Parents
The United States government and the Illinois state government have many financial assistance and support programs for single-parent families and low-income households. Many of these programs give help based on how much money you make and are great for single parents.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), otherwise known as Food Stamps, is a program that helps families pay for their groceries. Qualifying families receive money every month that is loaded into an electronic card called the Illinois Link Card. You can spend this money on groceries in most grocery stores.
The amount of money that you can receive depends on how much money you make and the number of people in your family.
Illinois Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
If you are a pregnant or a single mother, you may qualify for WIC assistance. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) helps pregnant women, new mothers, and young children get access to healthy food. In order to qualify for WIC, you must be:
- Pregnant, breastfeeding, or have just had a baby
- Infants and children under 5 years old
- Families with low to medium income
If you qualify for WIC benefits, you will receive a WIC EBT card that can be used to buy healthy foods for yourself and your children. WIC provides programs that can teach you more about nutrition and breastfeeding. It also helps you find other healthcare services in your area that you may need.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program (TANF) is an Illinois program that helps families who need money help because of emergencies. If you qualify for TANF assistance, you can receive cash for a short period of time that can be used for basic needs like food or shelter. TANF also helps with other services to help your family get on its feet like GED preparation, help with child care, and job training.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Low-income households that need help paying energy bills might be able to use the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This program helps families pay for energy costs like home energy bills, energy crises, and energy-related home repairs. This can help keep you and your kids safe and comfortable.
The Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) System
Many single parents need help finding childcare services that can take care of their children while they work or attend school or job training, but this can be very expensive. The Child Care Resource and Referral System (CCR&R) helps families find quality child care services in the state of Illinois.
It also helps parents apply for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which helps families pay for child care services. If you qualify for CCAP, you pay a co-payment for your child care expenses based on your income, and the government covers the rest. . CCAP assistance may also apply to several different kinds of child care programs including in-home child care.
Parents who need help paying for medical bills for themselves and their children might be able to user FamilyCare. This Illinois healthcare program helps pay for the healthcare costs of parents and children. It can also sometimes work for relatives who are taking care of children instead of their parents.
The amount of coverage you get is based on the money that your family makes and the size of your family. FamilyCare covers some services like doctor visits, hospital care, emergency services, and prescriptions for a small co-pay.
Non-Profit Organizations for Single Parents
In addition to government-funded programs, you can also find help providing for your family and navigating through life as a single parent from a variety of non-profit organizations.
Food Banks
Food banks and food pantries are non-profit organizations that can provide food and other basic necessities to people who need help feeding themselves and their families. To find food banks and pantries near you, visit Feeding Illinois for more information.
The Salvation Army offers many services and help for single parents and others in need. Help ranges from homeless shelters and transitional housing to counseling, financial assistance, and job training services.
Parents Without Partners is an international organization that runs support groups for single parents and their children. Being a member of Parents Without Partners allows you to participate in support groups and meet other families going through similar struggles. It also helps build community and support, which is especially important if you are a single parent since it can be lonely.
The American Association of Single Parents, Inc.
The American Association of Single Parents is a social service agency that provides a variety of resources to single parents in the Chicago Heights area including Single Parent Enrichment programs, Utility Bill Assistance, Emergency Food, and Educational Programs for both child and parent. The American Association of Single Parents is located in Chicago Heights, IL, and their Free~N~Deed Market is located in Dolton, Il.
Conclusion
Raising a child is hard enough, and it can become especially difficult if you’re the only one there to take care of them. With these assistance programs, charities, and organizations, you can get yourself and your children the right kind of support for your needs so that you can set your family off on the right path.