Being a single mom is never an easy task. Having to do the work of two parents, plus holding a job to support her kids’ needs and finding enough money to pay the bills may sound kinda much to handle. Staying out of debt may seem impossible for those who are in the same boat. Fortunately, the government has set several programs in line to make all single moms’ burdens a bit easier to bear. The children’s nutrition, which is among the most important and most basic needs, is one of the biggest things single mothers need help with. Though the many programs offered by the government covers different aspects like daycare, medical assistance, educational, housing, job training, placement assistance and even financial aid, this post focuses more on the nutritional assistance for children of the needy, and especially those of single moms.

Food and food products, if you come to think of it, are equivalent to money. Not all single moms can afford to pay for all the nutritional needs of their children. Thus, aid from the government allowing them to avail of such for free is already a big relief for those trying to stretch their few dollars to make ends meet.  Here are some of the government assistance options for food aid.

WIC (Women, Infants and Children) is a government program designed for single women or any qualified parents with children below five years of age. Those qualified to benefit from this program will receive free food items on a monthly basis, which includes mostly the basics like milk, cereals, juice, cheese, peanut butter and eggs, as well as other necessities in case the mother is pregnant or nursing her young. Especially for single moms who are not getting any kind of support from their partners, these free stuff amounts to a lot help. The WIC program is allocated with quite a sufficient budget, thus, they have a high number of recipients, and as long as you meet their requirements, it is likely that you will be turned away.

Popularly known as “Food Stamps”, the electronic ATM-like cards made available to low-income families by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps single moms with little cash to buy the food her kids need for good health. The plastic card is accepted in most grocery stores. Depending on the single mother’s situation and income, she is awarded a specific dollar amount on her card every month. The State application form may be completed online, however for certain counties on specified states, contacting their area’s local SNAP office is required. With this benefit, even with little money, a single mother can feed her children and keep them healthy.

Public schools can also offer single mothers assistance by feeding their children through School Meals programs, which includes different sub-programs like the “National School Lunch Program”, “Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program”, “School Breakfast Program” and “Special Milk Program”. With this, a single mother’s limited income may qualify her children for school meal discount or a complete waive on the price of school lunches.

The Summer Food Service Program, another of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, assists children’s nutrition needs even during off-school periods. Involving volunteers, feeding sites are opened to provide meal service and recreational activities for the children.

Apart from the above-mentioned, the government also caters the needy families’ needs through several other food distribution programs and disaster food reliefs. Certain private institutions in particular counties have their own support packages as well.

Not all single moms can take advantage of these aids, only those whose income falls below a certain level, and are considered low-income individuals. Every state has their own standards, and checking if you qualify for these welfare benefits can be done online. If you are a single mother, never be afraid to ask for help when you need it. After all, it’s all about making sure your kids stay healthy and nourished. For more information on single mother government assistance, check your state’s online services and see what they can offer for you and your kids or visit your local Department of Children and Families.