Alabama Assistance Programs for Single Moms
Last Updated on May 23, 2024 by Kathy
The rate of Alabama children living in single-parent households is increasing. In 2011, 417,000 children lived with a single parent, and in 2012, there were 418,000. Out of all single-parent families, 45% live below the poverty line.
Government and charity assistance offer programs to single mothers throughout Alabama.
Single moms can find help in all cities and counties, including the bigger cities and small towns. Assistance programs help with housing costs, rent, energy bills, mortgages, and free health care.
Alabama Medicaid
Medicaid is a program governed by the state and federal government. It provides medical and long-term care services to pregnant women, people with a disability, the elderly, and children who have a low income.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility depends on income. Pregnant women and children between the ages of 0 and 18 are eligible if they are living in a household with the following payment:
|
Household Size |
Annual Income Limit |
|
1 |
$1,420 |
|
2 |
$1,914 |
|
3 |
$2,408 |
|
4 |
$2,902 |
Funding Amount
Pregnant women and children can receive free medical care from Medicaid-approved physicians, medical facilities, and pharmacies.
The services people with Medicaid can receive are:
- Doctor appointments
- Emergency room care
- Maternity
- Mental health care
- Alcohol or chemical dependence treatment
- Dental and vision care
- Prescription medications
- Transportation to medical appointments
- Interpreter for medical appointments
Website and Contact Details
There are many offices available throughout Alabama to apply for Medicaid. The one you need to visit depends on the county. You can find a full list of offices for the state on the Alabama Medicaid website.
Alabama Food Stamps
Alabama Food Assistance Program
Food can be expensive, so Alabama offers a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
SNAP is from the Food Assistance Division to end hunger and improve children’s nutrition in Alabama. The program is only for individuals who have a low income.
Eligibility Requirements
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service determines eligibility requirements. There is an on-site Eligibility Tool you can use. The amount you receive from the food assistance program depends on how many people are in your household and its income.
Website and Contact Details
To learn more about the program and find out which office you should visit to apply for it, go to the Alabama government website.
Alabama Assistance Program for Women, Infants, & Children
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program enable women and children to purchase healthy foods for themselves and their children. Women receive coupons that allow them to buy food items such as milk and formula free.
Eligibility Requirement
The following individuals can apply for WIC:
- Pregnant women
- Breastfeeding women
- Women with a baby less than six months old
- Children less than five years old
These individuals must have a low income or live in a household with a low income. The following are the income limits for 2014.
|
Household Size |
Annual Income Limit |
|
1 |
$21,257 |
|
2 |
$28,694 |
|
3 |
$36,131 |
|
4 |
$43,568 |
|
5 |
$51,005 |
Other requirements include:
- You must be an Alabama resident.
- You have to seek health care services from a health professional at the WIC clinic to determine nutritional risk.
Funding Amount
The nutritionist at the WIC clinic determines what women and children will receive as part of the program. Women and children get a prescription with a list of foods they can purchase with WIC vouchers. Usually, infants who don’t breastfeed can receive formula.
When infants reach the appropriate age, they can receive cereal and juice free.
Breastfeeding women often receive tuna and carrots. Qualified women and children may be able to receive milk, cheese, eggs, and cereal that’s high in iron but low in sugar. They may also be able to get juice high in Vitamin C, peanut butter, and beans or dried peas.
Website and Contact Details
For more information about WIC for you or your children, call 888-942-4673. You can also visit the Alabama Department of Public Health website.
Unemployment Alabama Assistance Programs
Alabama Unemployment Insurance
To help people who have been laid off, fired, or forced to work reduced hours, the state of Alabama offers Unemployment Compensation. UI is from the Unemployment Compensation Division and serves to provide financial assistance until the worker can find employment or receive more hours at work.
Eligibility Requirements
There are two factors when considering qualification for unemployment compensation. The first one is determining if you worked enough quarters to qualify. The other determinant is how much you will receive based on how much you used to earn. Since each individual’s income differs, they decide on a case-by-case basis.
Funding Amount
Qualified individuals can receive $45 to $265 per week.
Website and Contact Details
For more information about Unemployment Compensation, visit the Alabama government website.
Child Support Alabama
Alabama Family Assistance Program
The Alabama Family Assistance Program ensures people receive the assistance they need to care for their children in their homes or relatives. Assistance offered includes:
- Cash payments – with an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card.
- Work and job training
- Child care assistance
Eligibility Requirements
You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Alabama Family Assistance Program.
The child must be:
- Living in your home or a close relative.
- Staying in the home and under 18 unless still in grade school.
- A United States citizen, legal foreigner, or eligible.
- Living in Alabama.
Other Requirements:
- Cannot be part of the foster care program with the Department of Human Resources.
- Only adults can receive the assistance, and there is a 5-year limit.
- The parent cannot be on strike from his or her employment.
- If a relative is caring for the child, it must be working with Child Support.
- If they give financial assistance, the State Department of Human Resources assigns child support. In other words, the State of Alabama receives all child support payments.
- At the time of application, every person involved in the child’s care must show their Social Security numbers.
Additionally:
- Relatives must agree to participate in a JOBS program, and parents under 18 years old must participate.
- The child’s relative caring must apply for other benefits if needed, such as Veteran’s Benefits, Social Security, and Unemployment Compensation.
- If a parent is under 18, he or she must be living with an adult. If an adult is not available, the parent must live in an adult-supervised supportive living arrangement.
- Relative caring for a child must reveal to a social worker about the caregiving arrangement with documents.
- A parent under the age of 18 with a child less than 12 weeks old must have a high school diploma or be in a training program.
- The child or relative cannot break parole or probation. The child or relative cannot be a convicted felon on the run. He or she must not have a criminal to hold, use, or sell a controlled substance.
- Parents must sign and meet the Family Responsibility Plan terms.
- All applicants must meet the income limits and not have parents and stepparents that can support them.
Applicants have to do an in-office interview with the social worker.
Website and Contact Details
You need to report to the Department of Human Resources for your county to apply for financial assistance.
Scholarships in Alabama
Alabama Student Assistance Program
This program helps students who have a low-income pay for school. They consider the parents’ income for students still dependant on their parents.
Eligibility Requirements
They only consider eligible Alabama higher education institutions for this assistance program. It’s only for undergraduate students as well. This needs-based program regard income to come up with an award amount.
Funding Amount
Students can receive $300 to $2,500 for tuition and other college-related fees.
Website and Contact Details
To apply to the Alabama Student Assistance Program, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Retrieve the form from your high school guidance office or the college you attend in the financial aid office. You can also find it online at the FAFSA website. For more information about the program, consult this website for the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
Alabama Student Grant Program
This grant program provides financial assistance to students enrolled in eligible Alabama colleges and universities.
Eligibility Requirements
Students must be enrolled at least half time and be Alabama residents. Eligible schools are:
- Birmingham-Southern College
- Concordia College
- Faulkner University
- Huntingdon College
- Judson College
- Miles College
- Oakwood College
- Samford University
- Selma University
- Southeastern Bible College
- Southern Vocational College
- Spring Hill College
- Stillman College
- University of Mobile
Funding Amount
Students can receive up to $1200 a year with this grant program.
Website and Contact Details
Visit one of the colleges or universities’ financial aid offices listed above for the application. The details are printed on the application. For more information online, visit Scholarships.com.
Earl P. Andrews Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Minority students can receive a college scholarship from the Earl P. Andrews Jr. Memorial scholarship program.
Eligibility Requirements
Students must be a senior in high school in Montgomery County, Alabama. All applicants must have an ACT score of at least 23 or at least 1590 on the SAT. They must also have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.5. Those chosen as finalists must participate in an interview with the selection committee. Minorities eligible for this scholarship include:
- African American
- American Indian
- Native Alaskan
- Asian
- Pacific Islander
- Hispanic/Latino
- Other
Funding Amount
Scholarships range from $1,500 to $2,000. You must use the money for tuition or college-related fees.
Website and Contact Details
For more information, visit your high school’s guidance office. You can also read more about it on the Central Alabama Community Foundation website.
Alabama Health Insurance
Alabama ALL Kids
The Alabama ALL Kids program helps children under the age of 19 get the medical care they need at a reduced cost. The program covers the following services:
- Check-ups
- Immunization
- Doctor visits
- Vision care
- Dental care
- Hospitalization
- Mental health services
- Substance abuse services
There are other services included, but these are the common ones used.
Eligibility Requirements
Children must be United States citizens or eligible immigrants under 19 years of age. They cannot have any other health insurance, including Medicaid, or be residing in an institution.
Website and Contact Details
For more information about this program, visit the Alabama Department of Health website.
Homeschooling in Alabama
Homeschooling Laws
Alabama law doesn’t recognize homeschooling as a different option. Homeschoolers must educate according to the educational provisions set by the state. They must also find a school that covers or umbrellas the education provides. This school will oversee the program the parent is following.
Eligibility Requirements
There are two laws in Alabama concerning homeschooling.
- Tutorial Law
A certified teacher can privately educate a child for at least 140 days. They are a tutor and can get mentorship from local school district officials.
- Church School Law
Students must be between the ages of 6 and 17 and must be in a church or association of churches school.
Other Funding Programs
Alabama Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program
The Low-Income High Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps Alabama residents with a low income who cannot afford to heat or cool their home. Qualified individuals will receive money to pay for their bills. The money comes from a Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program block grant provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Eligibility Requirements
The following are the income limits for this program.
|
Household Size |
Annual Income Limit |
|
1 |
$21,257 |
|
2 |
$28,694 |
|
3 |
$36,131 |
|
4 |
$43,568 |
|
5 |
$51,005 |
|
6 |
$58,442 |
|
7 |
$65,879 |
|
8 |
$73,316 |
Funding Amount
The funding amount depends on income and the amount of energy bill.
Website and Contact Details
For more information, visit the Alabama state website or call 334-242-4909.
