Government Help for Young Single Mothers in Huntsville, Alabama

Raising children and providing for their needs can be especially difficult for young single mothers. However, there is a variety of resources available to assist these women in receiving affordable housing, health insurance, child care and other expenses. For struggling mothers in Huntsville, Alabama, the state offers an impressive network of benefits to those in need.

  1. Health Care

    • Alabama's Department of Insurance offers several options for affordable health coverage for both employed and unemployed mothers as well as children under the age of 19. These programs provide individuals with low- to no-cost insurance through resources such as Medicaid, ALLKIDZ and companies like Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama. Application information is available by contacting the Department of Insurance directly.

    Child Care

    • As a single mother, providing for your children may require working or attending school. While you're away from your children, you need peace of mind knowing your kids are receiving high-quality child care. However, affording this can be difficult on a single income. Alabama's Department of Human Resources provides subsidized child care for low- to moderate-income families. These subsidies offer single mothers equal access to affordable and licensed child care even if the children are school-age and simply need before- or after-school care. Interested moms must fill out an application with the Child Care Management Agency of North Central Alabama, located in Huntsville.

    Housing Assistance

    • For single moms, it can be tough making rent or mortgage payments or finding affordable housing options altogether. Alabama's Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers help for those having trouble making payments or those seeking low-cost housing. The state contracts with some apartment owners to offer reduced rent to low-income families. To apply, contact or visit the management office of the apartment community you are interested in. Another option is public housing (Section 8) or housing vouchers. These types of assistance allow eligible families to live either in designated low-rent communities or choose any housing community that meets public housing requirements. To apply, visit your local public housing agency. If you're a homeowner struggling to make payments on your mortgage, there are HUD-approved housing counselors available to show you options for reducing your monthly payments, such as taking on a second mortgage or reducing interest rates through a loan modification.

    Food

    • Food accounts for a large portion of costs for single mothers. Alabama's Department of Public Health in Montgomery offers a few choices for reducing those costs. If your children are under age five or you are pregnant, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program provides coupons for nutritious food staples, such as milk and cheese. To apply, contact the Madison County public health office. For those with older children, Alabama's Food Assistance Division offers a food stamps program to help low-income families afford basic groceries. Eligibility and benefit amounts are determined by guidelines set forth by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

    Other Expenses

    • Unique to the area, the Community Action Association of Alabama (CAAA) partners with local companies and resources to offer assistance to those struggling financially.There are 23 of these agencies across the state of Alabama. The CAAA works to provide low-income families with assistance, such as reduced utility bills, affordable legal help, inexpensive home weatherization and low-cost transportation.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • Winning a Child Custody Battle
      A child custody battle may very well be one of the most stressful experiences a parent can endure, especially when you don't know what to expect. Even if you're not the one making it a "battle," you have to go into court with a sol
    • The Effect of Child Support on Public Assistance
      After parents separate, its not uncommon for their levels of income to change. This is especially true if one parent was financially dependent on the other. If youre in a position where you need public assistance after your divorce your child supp
    • Grants for Widowed Single Mothers
      According the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 100,000 widowed single mothers live in the United States. Often unprepared to support children alone, many of these widows struggle financially. Besides government aid that may be available, grants exist to