Finances are one of the greatest challenges for a single mom and because of the increasing needs of single mothers, we have created a site that will help you to get rid of some of the tension and worries that the need for finances has caused. If you have questions about buying a new home, getting a grant specifically designed for single mothers, getting out from under your debt, or just want to get inspired by other single moms who are going through, or recently escaped the same problems you have, then you can find the answers here.
At SingleMom-Tips.com, you will find out about all of the different opportunities available for you to take advantage of. Have you dreamed of owning your own home, but think that a single mom can’t do it? Well, you will find the tips and tricks you need to achieve your dream here! You will also learn everything that you need to know about where to find the best loans and how to get them. If you need a personal, business or home loan, you will find the steps and easy to follow instructions here! You will find information about the many grants available for single mothers and the many ways you can get other types of financial support to help you cover necessary costs. The hardest part of getting what you want is knowing where to look for the information and we are committed to making that search easy and uniquely designed to meet your needs. You can find information for your local area or nationally. You can also get important information about transportation, grants, health care, credit, financial assistance and rent assistance that is specifically for the state in which you live!
Even though you are busy and concentrating on immediate needs, you also need to get financial help and planning for each part of your life. By getting a jump start on your finances, you will have a more stable and secure future. And, the future is what we worry most about when it comes to our child or children. By including a few important factors such as your job situation, daycare expenses, living expenses and the cost of education you can start your financial planning with better results and achieve your goals!
It is important to know that you are not alone as a single mom. Many women are going through, or have gone through the same situations that you are now facing. Having a place to vent and get encouragement and inspiration can sometimes make all the difference. Our single mom forums give you a place to talk about what’s on your mind, ask questions, get ideas, and be part of a support network for other moms who will benefit from what you have learned.
Even though you may find yourself in a tough situation and may feel overwhelmed and discouraged, we have the help and guidance that will help you through. And, you will also find that there are many opportunities and solutions that you might never have thought possible.
Step-by-Step Guide For Single Moms To Obtain State Assistance
The daunting task of getting state assistance makes many single moms hesitant to try, even when they need all the help they can get. It seems that the system is designed to make people discouraged and give up. And, you know what? It is. There are multiple offices to contact, documentation to obtain, volumes of paperwork to complete, and caseworkers who make you repeat the same story over and over. But, you can win in this maze, without losing your mind by following a few simple steps!
BE PREPARED: This is the time for you to get a big plastic envelope and put copies of you and your children’s birth certificates, social security cards, your job resume, your diploma, GED or other certificate of education, pay stubs, bank statements for the last 3 months at least, receipts of the payments you make for rent, utilities, etc. You will also need your final divorce decree if you were married or court orders for child support and custody. Include proof of your children’s vaccinations, if they are in daycare as well as your past tax forms. While you will not need all of this paperwork during the 1st or 2nd step, at some point, you are going to need it all. So, be prepared, get everything you need together, or start getting it together before you start making calls. Another important thing is to have a phone number where a message can be left for you. Agencies will never leave a formal message or share details, but it is important that you return calls immediately. Therefore, make sure that the back-up number you give is a person who can get ahold of you at any time. You will also want to have a fax number available. If you don’t have access to a fax machine, then go to your local copy shop and get the number of their machine. There will be a small fee, usually pennies for faxing or receiving faxes. You will need this.
- Call your Department of Human Services office and schedule an appointment. Most offices have the required forms online and ask that you complete the paperwork before your appointment. In some states, the forms must be completed online and an appointment is scheduled when you submit the completed forms electronically. The initial form will ask for basic information such as your income, family composition, housing costs, etc. When you receive your appointment confirmation, the letter will tell you what documentation to bring. And, guess what? You already have it because you are prepared!
Never give original copies of documents to caseworkers, either make copies before going, or they will make copies while you wait. Each caseworker you talk to will want to see original documentation. It is also important that you make a copy of any application you complete and put it where? In your envelope! This will save you so much time.
- Depending on what type of assistance you are applying for, your caseworker will give you contacts and the documentation that will be needed before the process can continue. They will stress the point that you only have ten days to provide the information. This is the part where you hold up your envelope and say, “I have everything you asked for in this envelope, can we schedule the next meeting for sooner than ten days?” Surprisingly enough, when they realize you are serious and have the documents, they will generally push you through very quickly and you will be through the system much more quickly than many of the people who will give up at this point. Why? Because you are prepared!
- Once you are entered into the system and moving through it smoothly, you will receive a lot of letters from departments telling you that you qualify for aid you might not know about. It is very important that you contact the caseworker for these departments immediately when you get these letters. You may qualify for free childcare because you are a student and never realized it. But, because you are in the system, the Department of Education is now involved and will assign you benefits if you have the proper paperwork (which you do) and qualify. Save these letters in your envelope! They will come in handy if you have a question or are not sure of who to contact about a benefit.
- Re-qualification for benefits varies in different states and it will be important that you follow-through to requalify when you get a “re-certification” letter. Remember, each time you have a receipt, bank statement, new vaccination records, etc., put them in your envelope because you will need these. Never throw anything in the envelope away, if there is an audit, you will need the letters, documentation, etc., that you have been collecting.
- Lastly, do not be afraid to ask questions. Each caseworker that you talk to will ask you about what you need. Do not be afraid to speak up. You would be surprised at the number of people who do not get all of the benefits they qualify for simply because they did not ask for them. Before you meet with a caseworker, write down your questions and make sure they are answered before you move on to the next question. Even though it may not seem like it, these people work for you, the taxpayer. They are there to help you, not make you feel harassed or stressed. But, they are busy and when they meet a person who is serious, they will go out of their way to help them. Why? Go to your envelope, you are PREPARED!!