If you are a single mother finding yourself in a situation where you need help with paying your mortgage, food, medical bills, and other necessities, the agencies listed below can help. There are public and private programs for a variety of needs.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for single mothers
Are your utility bills more than you can afford? Have you received a disconnect notice? The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) for single moms can help. To qualify for LIHEAP assistance, you must be a resident of New York and meet income guidelines. To find out how to apply for LIHEAP benefits visit the website. Contacts for the local Districts and after hours heating emergencies can be found here. Help is also available through the NYS HEAP Hotline at 1-800-342-3009.
FoodHelp.NYC
Hunger is a reality in New York. Fortunately, there are numerous public and private agencies that provide food to single mothers who need it. Foodhelp.nyc provides an online map that can be used to find food pantries and community kitchens that serve hot food. There is no need to go hungry with free food services. Locate food now.
Foreclosure Relief Unit
If you are behind on your mortgage payments or facing foreclosure on your home, you need professional help. The Department of Financial Services of New York created the Foreclosure Relief Unit to assist individuals and families in foreclosure situations.
While it may be difficult to stay in contact with the lender or bank the longer you wait, the fewer options you may have to avoid foreclosure. Learn more about avoiding foreclosure. Find out more about the foreclosure process. Discover what options are available.
Having your home in foreclosure is stressful and can feel overwhelming. It is vital that you have a foreclosure counselor who can help guide you and keep you from falling for scams that can’t help save your home.
- NEVER deal with anyone or any company who wants a fee in advance to get you a loan modification, or to save your home from foreclosure.
- NEVER work with anyone who tells you they can save your home if you sign the deed to your house over to them.
- NEVER make mortgage payments to anyone other than your mortgage company without their approval in advance.
For more information regarding your rights in foreclosure situations. You can also call the New York State Department of Financial Services at 800-342-3736. Or contact 888-995-HOPE (888-995-4673) This agency is part of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
New York City Free Clinic
The New York City Free Clinic (NYCFC) offers free healthcare to the nearly one in four New York residents that do not have health insurance. The NYCFC opened the doors in 2002 to provide medical care to the uninsured, homeless, and disenfranchised of the greater New York area. The clinic is served by volunteer medical students, undergraduates, physicians, and other healthcare professionals who believe high-quality healthcare is the right of all individuals. Prescription drugs are available at a significantly reduced cost to patients. The only criteria to receive medical care is the patient must be 18 or older and uninsured. To learn about NYCFC services and resources read more or call 212-206-5200.
New York Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) for single mothers
Is your house cold in the winter despite paying enormous heating bills? The New York Weatherization Assistance Program helps eligible individuals, single mothers and families by lowering their heating and cooling costs and addressing health and safety issues in the home by providing energy reducing assistance. Weatherization programs are designed to decrease the amount of energy necessary to heat and cool homes and provide hot water. The majority of homes in New York state were built when energy was relatively inexpensive. These homes are significantly more costly to heat than a newer energy-efficient home.
Assistance is available to both homeowners and renters. If eligible WAP will perform an energy audit to identify specific steps to increase energy efficiency and lower costs. The audit will determine what kind of changes or repairs are required. In some cases unsafe heating units may be replaced. Locate weatherization providers by county. Call the WAP central office in Albany for more information 518-474-5700.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for single moms
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a Federal program designed to ensure individuals and families have access to nutritious foods. Formerly known as “food stamps” SNAP benefits are now issued as Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards.
Learn more about SNAP benefits and how to apply. You can find out if you or your family are eligible at this website.