<p><strong><em></em></strong></p><p><strong><em>Tips for Solo Moms seeking financial resources</em></strong></p><p><strong>DO</strong> start with 2-1-1. It’s a nationwide number with local call centers, staffed with people who know the resources that are available. Ask about gas vouchers, domestic-violence shelters, food stamps, and rental assistance. Ask about job centers, places that might have professional clothing for free, and résumé help. Ask about food banks and places that might have free furniture. They know who has funds and when.</p><p><strong>DON’T</strong> stop there. </p><p><strong>DO</strong> call the local state office, usually called some variation of the Department of Health Services. Better yet, go there. If you need something urgently, tell them. Bring proof of income, proof of residence, vehicle information, bank statements, child-support receipts, and proof of any properties you own. Bring it all in a neat folder, and fill out the application completely. Be polite and dress appropriately. Ask for food stamps, child-care assistance, cash assistance, and help with child support. Remember the agency’s caseload is larger than the staff can handle, but advocate for yourself and your family.</p><p><strong>DON’T</strong> be daunted by the very overwhelming amount of paperwork. If you don’t have everything, fill out what you can, and they’ll ask for proof of something later. It can be especially hard if you’re self-employed, but don’t give up. It’s worth it to get some funding to stand on so you can work toward independence. It’s worth it not to have to worry. </p><p><strong>DO</strong> find out if you are eligible for <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/women-infants-and-children-wic">the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (known as WIC)</a> by going to the local WIC office in your area. If you have a baby, you can also call the local health department, which often has countless resources, including car seats and nurses who might do home visits. Call the YWCA. Find out if your town has domestic-violence services if you need an advocate. See if you qualify for the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/programs/liheap">Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program</a> (LIHEAP), which can help with heating costs and sometimes includes insulation for your windows and walls. Ask for a list of low-income housing properties. Ask about the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/lihtc.html">Low-Income Housing Tax Credit</a> (LIHTC), which could be offered through a local housing authority. </p><p><strong>DON’T</strong> stop there.</p><p><strong>DO</strong> call churches, friends, and family, if you can. Ask for help, even if it’s just to watch the kids so you can make a plan. Be honest. Ask for side work. Ask for trades. Ask for financial assistance or scholarships at day camps or dance classes or gymnastics. The YMCA often has fantastic financial assistance and a plethora of summer camps and family nights. </p><p><strong>DON’T </strong>be ashamed, too full of pride, or embarrassed. This is not permanent. </p><p><strong>DO</strong> advocate for your family.</p><p><strong>DON’T</strong> listen to people who think you need drug tests or three jobs or a husband. </p><p><strong>DO</strong> advocate for your kids.</p><p><strong>DON’T</strong> feel pitied.</p><p><strong>DO</strong> advocate for yourself and your basic needs to be met.</p><p><strong>DON’T</strong> feel small. </p><p><strong>DO </strong>find strength. Because you are strong. You’ll get through this. This does not define you.</p><hr><p><span style="font-size: 11px;">Image via Shutterstock.com</span></p>
<p><strong><em>The harsh facts of minimum wage and rental prices across America</em></strong></p><p>According to the Pew Research Center, 30% of America’s workforce earns a near-minimum-wage salary—many of them Solo Moms. Good housing can be extremely difficult to find for a person earning minimum or close to minimum wage. So how do you make ends meet?</p><p><strong>Tight rental market</strong></p><p>According to a new report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, the growing demand for rentals has made the rental market very competitive. Fewer people can afford to buy houses, so rentals become scarce. This tightening rental market has a major impact on low-income renters. According to Kate Brown, governor of Oregon, one out of four households in her state spends more than half its income on housing costs. In 2013, for every 100 extremely low income renter households, there were only 31 affordable and available rental units.</p><p><strong>Nationwide crisis</strong></p><p>Although some states fare better than others, in no city in the United States can a minimum-wage worker work less than 50 hours per week and still afford a two-bedroom apartment. The most expensive rentals are in Virginia; California; New York; and Washington, DC. On average, an American worker needs to earn $19.35 per hour to afford rent for a two-bedroom apartment. And the wage requirement is even higher in the aforementioned states. <a href="http://www.citylab.com/housing/2015/05/mapping-the-hourly-wage-needed-to-rent-a-2-bedroom-apartment-in-every-us-state/394142/?utm_source=atlanticFB" target="_blank">This map from a recent study</a> shows just how difficult it can be.</p><p><strong>Solutions? Help?</strong></p><p>Well, now that we know there’s a problem—what’s the solution? Raising the minimum wage may help, and expanding affordable housing would certainly help. But those solutions take time, and I’m sure that some of you have this difficulty now. What are you doing to ease the burden of expensive rentals? How do <em>you</em> do it? Let me know! Let’s help one another now.</p><hr><p><span style="font-size: 11px;">Image via Shutterstock.com</span></p>
<p><em><strong>Programs that help keep your kids fed</strong></em></p><p>According to Feeding America, one out of six families struggle with hunger. That’s 49.1 million Americans, 15.8 million of whom are children. If you are struggling with food insecurity, you are not alone. There is help available.</p><p><strong>Feeding America</strong></p><p>Feeding America is a nationwide network of member food banks, food pantries, and meal programs providing food and services across the United States. <a href="http://www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank/" target="_blank">Click here to find your closest participating food bank</a>. Give the nearest pantry a call and see what documentation they need, what their hours are, and how often you can use their services. Some pantries limit client visits to once a month, but they may have listings of other food sources in the area. Also check <a href="http://www.foodpantries.org" target="_blank">www.foodpantries.org</a> to see what they have listed.</p><p><strong>The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)</strong></p><p>SNAP is a federal program that offers nutrition assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families. Administered by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, SNAP works with state agencies, nutrition educators, and neighborhood and faith-based organizations to ensure that those who are eligible for assistance can make informed decisions about applying for the program and access benefits. For information on SNAP or to apply for benefits, <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/snap-application-and-local-office-locators" target="_blank">contact your local SNAP office</a>. Each state has its own application, and many allow you to apply online. </p><p><strong>Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)</strong></p><p>WIC is a program that assists low-income women and children who are nutritionally at risk. The program is administered in each state by their health departments or Indian Tribal Organizations (ITOs). For information about eligibility, <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/contacts" target="_blank">contact your state or local agency</a>. </p><p><strong>National School Lunch Program (NSLP)</strong></p><p>If your child (or children) is school aged, contact his or her school’s principal about the National School Lunch Program. Your child may be eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. In many districts, a child who qualifies for the NSLP can also receive breakfast at school. Districts may also participate in Seamless Summer, a program that helps children get lunch throughout the summer. <a href="http://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp/national-school-lunch-program-nslp" target="_blank">Contact your child’s district</a> at any time throughout the year for information. </p><hr><p><span style="font-size: 12px;">Photo credit Shutterstock.com</span><br></p>