Benefits for Unemployed Moms

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

• Since 1969, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly known as the federal Food Stamp Program, has helped provide food for low-income people and families, including unemployed moms. As of 2010, the SNAP program provides food for 35 million people per month in the form of an electronic card accepted at most grocery stores. Interested mothers must come in under countable resource standards, including bank accounts and owned vehicles. The amount of benefits allotted per month depends on monthly income, deductions and expenses, and the number of people in the household--meaning mothers receive benefits for their children as well. Benefits apply to food and beverage items, and do not cover chemicals or alcoholic beverages. In some cases, these benefits also enroll unemployed moms in employment and training programs. Visit the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service website at FNS.USDA.gov/SNAP to find a local SNAP office.

Medicaid

• A federal and state government partnership program, Medicaid provides health care benefits to low-income individuals and families based on criteria of age, income, parenthood status and resources. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services at InsureKidsNow.gov, every U.S. state offers Medicaid coverage for children living below the poverty level--$18,310 per year for a family of three, as of 2009. Medicaid covers children up to age 21, providing preventive care, screening, treatment of health conditions, physician and hospital visits, vision coverage and dental care. These services come at little to no cost to mothers. Medicaid coverage and eligibility rules vary by state. Use the "Providers in Your State" link at InsureKidsNow.gov to begin the application process.

Unemployment Insurance

• If a mother has become unemployed through no fault of her own, she may be eligible for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, a joint-federal state program designed to help citizens through periods of unemployment. According to the United States Department of Labor, state unemployment insurance benefits provide temporary assistance usually based on the amount of income earned from previous employers--specifically, the amount of taxes paid by the employee during employment periods. In most states, unemployed moms should apply soon after becoming unemployed--use ServiceLocator.org to find a local office--and file claims by mail, phone or Internet weekly or biweekly. Some states enroll UI recipients in work training and job seeking programs. Benefits last 26 weeks in most states, but extended benefits may add up to 13 additional weeks.