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Even in cases where child support is awarded, the other parent may fail to pay or may pay inconsistently, increasing the financial burden on the single parent. Even when the non-custodial parent does pay child support, it can still prove to be very expensive and difficult to afford all the expenses involved with raising your children.

Fortunately, single parent financial assistance is available in several different forms. Several federal and local government agencies provide this assistance, as do independent non-profit groups and other charities. Below is a guide to some of the most popular forms of single parent financial assistance.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is the name of the financial assistance program formerly known as "welfare." The federal program is overseen by the Office of Family Assistance, but is carried out and administered locally at the state level. This type of assistance combines cash assistance with work opportunities in order to give single parent households and other needy families the best possible chance of getting ahead.

For single parent households, the parent is required to participate in qualified work activities for at least 30 hours a week. The exception to this rule is if the single parent has children under 6 and is unable to find adequate childcare. In this case, the state cannot penalize you for not meeting the work requirement. In addition, those with children under 6 are only required to complete a total of 20 hours of work activities per week. Check with your local TANF office for eligibility requirements and application procedures.

Childcare Subsidies

Many states and municipalities offer programs to help single parents pay for the cost of childcare. These childcare subsidies can be administered at the state or local level and may require some digging and research in your particular state to uncover. These subsidies may cover a portion of your cost of childcare, or they may cover the entire cost. Often, the agencies negotiate rates with childcare providers and then either pay the providers directly on your behalf or provide you with vouchers that you use to pay the provider.

Food Pantries

Another source of single parent financial assistance is access to food pantries, which offer food and other household goods including clothing for children and parents. This type of assistance is often extended by faith-based organizations such as churches, temples, or mosques.

By receiving items from food pantries instead of having to buy those certain items yourself, you can stretch your dollars and be better able to meet your monthly bills. Food banks may supply a box or more of food items for your family on a regular basis. The food may be supplied weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, depending on many factors. Contact your local welfare office, church, or free clinic for information on where to find help in your community.

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