Even single mothers who have planned carefully can experience problems with paying bills. A medical crisis, job loss, family dynamics, housing change – there are many reasons why single moms can find themselves unable to pay all the bills. If you live in California, there are numerous agencies and organizations that can help by offering food, rental and foreclosure assistance, free or low-cost health care and prescriptions and additional programs. Many of the benefits require the recipient to be low income or experiencing a financial crisis.
RxFoundation
When you’re sick and need medication where can you turn to for help?
Rx Foundation is a Prescription Advocacy organization that receives free or discounted prescriptions for its members through the Prescription Assistance Programs or (PAPs). Rx Foundation is a part of hundreds of free prescription programs for only a fraction of the retail costs for name brand prescription medications. RxF works with pharmaceutical companies and your doctor to supply you with the prescription medicine you need but for a fraction of the cost.
There is a cost to help cover the cost of research and enrolling. A $25 application fee and a $75.00 monthly enrollment fee. Read more at the home page. To find out if you qualify for single mother assistance read this.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for single mothers
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) program is known in California as the CalFresh program. It is essentially the same system in use in other states. However, it is called by a different name. CalFresh can add to your food budget to help provide healthy satisfying, nutritious meals. CalFresh uses an electronic benefits card that can be used to purchase most foods at most markets, food stores, and groceries. The program issues monthly electronic benefits that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores. Call 1-877-847-3663 (FOOD). Read more about help- with food. Fond out if you are eligible.
Cash Assistance
- Services and Financial Support To Low-Income, Elderly, Blind and People with Disabilities. Find out more.
- Cash assistance for Immigrants.
- California Veterans Cash Benefit program (CVCB)
- The General Assistance or General Relief (GA/GR) Program is designed to provide relief and support to indigent adults who are not supported by their own means, other public funds, or assistance services.
- The In-Home Supportive Services Program (IHSS)
This service will help to pay for services provided to you so that you can remain safely in your own home. In order to be eligible you must be over 65, disabled or blind. Disabled children are also possibly eligible for benefits.
- Find local county offices.
- Assistance Dog Special Allowance Program
The Assistance Dog Special Allowance (ADSA) Program provides a monthly payment of $50 to eligible persons who use a guide, signal, or service dog to help them with needs related to their disabilities. The allowance is to help pay the costs of food, grooming, and health care for the dog.
The Americans with Disabilities Act and State laws permit service dogs to accompany their handlers anywhere that the general public is allowed, including taxis, buses, restaurants, theaters, stores, hotels, apartments, and office buildings.
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) for single mothers
The TANF was formed to help families experiencing financial and other difficulties. TANF works with families to help them become self-sufficient. The program assists needy families to allow children to stay safely in their homes and reduce the dependency of needy parents by assisting with finding reasonable employment. TANF promotes pregnancy only after marriage and encourages two parent families. For more information about single mother services follow this link.
Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
The California Tribal TANF Program’s core purpose is to assist the Indian Tribes of California by providing the funding, tools, and resources necessary for each Tribe or Consortium to administer its own Tribal TANF Program. Discover more about Tribal TANF. Tribal and TANF programs by county.
Area Agencies on Aging
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) is under the leadership of the California Department of Aging. AAA has an array of programs for seniors and adults with disabilities. The organization also serves as a platform for local aging issues. Find out what AAA can do for you. You can take a look at the Area Agencies on Aging list of programs. For more information about programs in your area for seniors and adults with disabilities call 800-510-2020. AAA is always in need of volunteers.
Women, Infants, Children (WIC) for single parents
WIC has a service called the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). It was established in 1992 to help WIC participants who are at nutritional risk have access to fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits and vegetables
Start here to find out more about the WIC services. Find a WIC office loation close to you.
Contact WIC by phone 800-852-5770 888-WIC-Works or 888-942-9675
Social Security Disability
If you have a physical or mental disability, you may qualify for Social Security Disability benefits. Social Security Disability was created for people who are injured or become ill and are unable to continue to work, or have not been able to work. Find out if you are eligible for single mother aid that may include monthly financial benefits.
Find out more about Social Security disability Go here to apply forbenefits. Or apply by phone 800-772-1213 TTY 800-325-0778