Government Help for Single Moms in Mississippi

As if raising children with a partner wasn't hard enough, many single moms struggle to make financial ends meet. Mississippi has several options for single mothers to help make the most of her single income family. Most government assistance requires proof of income, and eligibility requirements are periodically reviewed. Visit your local Department of Human Services office or apply online for government benefits.

  1. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

    • SNAP, also known as food stamps, provides monthly food assistance for families. The amount is automatically deposited on an EBT card at the beginning of the month. All food items found in a grocery store except hot foods from a deli, alcohol and energy drinks are able to be purchased. SNAP encourages buying healthy, low-calorie foods, but other food items are allowed.

    Energy Assistance

    • The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program provides assistance to households by helping pay the cost of home energy bills. Natural gas, electricity and other forms of heating are covered. LEAP funds are allocated based on the county's poverty level. LEAP is mostly widely utilized during the winter, when home heating costs skyrocket.

    Women, Infants and Children

    • WIC is designed to help supplement nutritional needs of children in addition to food stamp allowances. WIC is sponsored by the Mississippi State Department of Health, and offers vouchers each month for nutritious food. Pregnant women and children up to 5 years old benefit from WIC. Eggs, milk, fruit juice, cereal, peanut butter and cheese are supplied to a WIC family monthly. If you receive other Mississippi state assistance, you automatically qualify for WIC. Mother and children must attend nutrition classes and appointments periodically, and a child's weight and iron levels are monitored.

    Tax Credits

    • Earned Income Credit and the Child Tax Credit are designed to help relieve single mothers during tax time. EIC gives low and low-middle class tax credits. The amount of the tax credit depends on the single mother's income and her number of children. Single mothers who make less than $75,000 a year with a child under 17 are eligible for up to $1,000 credit per dependent. If a mother shares custody with the child's father, the parent who pays at least half of their expenses and lives with the child at least half the year should claim the children on her tax return.

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