SingleMothers.us
Help while you work
Official programs that can make a working week possible, with links straight to the government sites that run them.
Child care assistance
Every state runs a child care assistance program for working families with low incomes. It is paid for in part by the Child Care and Development Fund, which the federal Office of Child Care describes as the primary federal funding source for helping families with low incomes get child care. Each state sets its own rules on income, work hours and waiting lists.
- Get help paying for child care on ChildCare.gov
- Find your state’s child care resources, including how to apply
- Our state guides name the program and agency in 20 states
Head Start and Early Head Start
Head Start services are free for children from birth to age 5 in eligible families, generally those with incomes at or below the federal poverty guidelines. Head Start preschool serves children aged 3 to 5, and Early Head Start serves children under 3 and expectant families. Most programs keep a waiting list.
Tax credits for working parents
Earned Income Tax Credit
A refundable federal credit for people who work and earn low to moderate incomes. The amounts for tax year 2026, set by the IRS, are below. Many states add their own credit, and our state guides list them.
| Qualifying children | Maximum credit | Income limit, single or head of household |
|---|---|---|
| None | $664 | $19,540 |
| One | $4,427 | $51,593 |
| Two | $7,316 | $58,629 |
| Three or more | $8,231 | $62,974 |
The IRS publishes the rules and current tables on its EITC tables page.
Child Tax Credit
The Child Tax Credit is worth up to $2,200 per qualifying child for 2025 and 2026, and up to $1,700 of it per child can be refunded as the Additional Child Tax Credit.
Child and Dependent Care Credit
From tax year 2026, the highest rate of this credit rises from 35 percent to 50 percent of qualifying care costs, on up to $3,000 of costs for one child or $6,000 for two or more, according to the IRS.
Child support
A child support order legally requires a parent to help pay to raise a child. USA.gov explains that your state or tribe can help you get, change or enforce an order, wherever the other parent lives. The federal Office of Child Support Enforcement oversees the national program with state, tribal and local agencies.
Food and family help
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, once called food stamps, can help you pay for food on a low income. Benefits go onto an EBT card each month, and you apply through your state or local SNAP office. USA.gov explains how to apply.
WIC
WIC can help pregnant women, new mothers and children under 5 with food, nutrition counseling and referrals, depending on income, health and where you live. Find your state WIC agency through USA.gov.
TANF
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families helps families with children through programs each state designs with federal block grants. The Office of Family Assistance lists each state’s program.
Help with energy bills
LIHEAP provides federally funded help with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization and minor energy-related repairs.
American Job Centers
American Job Centers offer employment and training help to job seekers, including help with résumés, job search and training. Find the nearest one with the CareerOneStop center finder, and search training programs with its training finder. Our state guides give each state’s name for its centers.
Questions about help programs
Does SingleMothers.us run any of these programs?
No. Federal, state and local agencies run them. We link to their official sites, and we never charge for pointing you to them.
Will a new job change my benefits?
It can. Programs such as SNAP and child care assistance look at your income, so tell the agency about a new job and ask how it affects what you receive.
Where should I start if child care is the problem?
With your state’s child care assistance program. ChildCare.gov links to every state’s program, and our state guides name the agency in 20 states.
Help with the job itself
Programs help with the costs around work. For the work, send us your hours and the jobs you have done.