Single moms in Texas frequently begin looking for financial assistance by searching for grants: free money you do not have to repay.
Unfortunately, except for college financial aid, the federal government does not award grants to individuals directly for personal use.
However, federal departments award grants to state-run agencies in Texas, and you can apply for benefits at each of these entities.
In other words, the best way to find these resources is to know the correct names. We did the hard work for you, organizing the programs by topic.
Grants in Texas
Grant for Texas single mothers do not exist as defined. However, you can find resources by renaming government programs that help with expenses for low-income families.
Solo parents frequently qualify as low-income because working while raising children alone is extraordinarily challenging.
Hardship Grants
Single mothers in Texas dealing with financial hardship might struggle with overwhelming debt due to lost income or other unexpected expenses.
Hardship grants for single mothers do not exist as labeled. However, the government does provide benefits to help low-income families overcome economic adversity.
- Debt relief programs (bankruptcy and student loan forgiveness)
- Earning support (unemployment benefits and disability income)
Individual Grants
Texas single mothers can sometimes unearth additional avenues of financial help by looking at programs where the government sends money directly to individuals.
A list of government grants for individuals has no entries unless you relabel programs providing cash directly to citizens. You can find several resources fitting this description.
- First-time Homebuyer programs
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
- Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC)
- American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC)
Dental Grants
Texas single moms discover that financial help with dental costs is tough to find because the primary government resource provides limited oral care benefits.
Dental grants for low-income adults typically supplement what Medicaid covers. However, Texas chooses to pay for emergency oral care only, meaning charitable organizations, sliding-scale clinics, and pro bono dentists must fill the gaps of uncovered services.
- Fillings
- Periodontal treatment
- Dentures
- Braces
- Implants
Repair Grants
Texas single mothers with low income can easily find financial help with various home improvement and repair projects that save energy and protect the environment.
Texas home repair & improvement grants come packaged within the federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), which provides energy-saving upgrades at no added cost to eligible homeowners.
- Roofing
- Windows
- HVAC Equipment
- Insulation
College Grants
College grants are often readily available to single moms in Texas because having a low income relative to household size is a critical qualifier. You can apply for federal and state-level programs to help with education expenses.
Federal Programs
The Federal Department of Education offers two programs that help with college costs for students with exceptional financial needs.
- Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
- Federal Pell Grants for Undergraduate Students
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see if you qualify.
State Programs
State-level college programs focus resources on low-income or exceptional students attending universities in The Lone Star State.
- Education and Training Vouchers for Foster Care
- Texas Educational Opportunity Grant Program (TEOG)
- Texas Public Educational Grant Program (TPEG)
- Toward Excellence Access and Success (TEXAS)
- Tuition Equalization Grant Program (TEG)
Complete the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) if you are ineligible to complete the federal FAFSA. Contact your college financial aid department to see if you qualify for the above awards.
Assistance in Texas
Texas single moms can also find financial assistance by applying for programs providing resources to low-income households. In these cases, government benefits help with specific needs.
Emergency Assistance
Texas single mothers needing emergency cash assistance often must look beyond government resources because these agencies move slowly. You need fast answers, not busy signals, and long wait times during a crisis.
Immediate assistance for single mothers comes by borrowing money from a private lender. Finance companies can make fast decisions based on your credit score, income, and employment history.
Of course, you need the ability to repay the loan after addressing the emergency need. Therefore, borrow money only when necessary for crucial needs such as car repairs, medical care, etc.
Housing Assistance
Housing programs for single moms in Texas provide financial help with their most significant budgetary expenses. Having a clean, safe, decent place to live is crucial.
Rental Assistance
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers two resources to help low-income single mothers find affordable apartment rentals.
- Subsidized apartments make it economically feasible for property owners to offer reduced rent to low-income tenants.
- Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) helps low-income families afford decent, safe, and sanitary rental housing in the private market.
Apply for rental apartment assistance at a local public housing agency.
Purchase Assistance
Single moms have many resources offering financial assistance when purchasing a home for the first time. The federal government sets up the programs, and local organizations interface with the public.
Apply for first-time homebuyer help through these organizations.
- Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation
- Down payment assistance
- Mortgage interest tax credits
- Texas Homebuyer Program
- 3-Year Forgivable 2nd Lien
- Closing Cost Support
- Down Payment Help
Government Assistance
The Texas government is the prominent place for single mothers to turn for assistance because of the abundant resources. However, navigating the federal programs at the local level is not always easy.
Energy Bills
The Texas government provides financial help with utility bills courtesy of the federal Department of Energy. The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) keeps families safe and healthy through initiatives that support families with gas and electricity costs.
Apply for CEAP through the Department of Housing & Community Affairs.
Water Bills
The Texas government provides financial help with their past-due water and sewer bills courtesy of the federal Office of Community Services. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) addresses needs in this area.
Apply for LIHWAP through sub-recipients in 254 counties.
Childcare Costs
The Texas government offers financial help with childcare costs courtesy of funding provided by the federal Administration of Children Families, which establishes several programs.
- Childcare vouchers
- Early Head Start
- State-funded pre-kindergarten
Apply for childcare assistance through the Workforce Commission.
Grocery Expenses
The Texas government provides financial help with grocery expenses courtesy of funding from the federal Department of Agriculture. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) supports the purchase of healthy foods.
Apply for SNAP through the Department of Health & Human Services.
Pregnant Mothers
Financial assistance for pregnant single mothers in Texas is especially critical because holding down a job becomes even more challenging.
WIC
The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program offers financial assistance to pregnant single mothers in Texas. WIC provides support and inspiration to eat right, have a healthy pregnancy, breastfeed successfully, and raise amazing kids.
Apply for WIC at the Department of Health & Human Services.
Medicaid
Medicaid provides financial assistance with medical bills for pregnant single mothers in Texas. The health of the mom and her baby is paramount, and Medicaid covers prenatal care, labor and delivery charges, and more.
Women pregnant without insurance who don’t qualify for Medicaid still have options to get coverage.
- They might still get Medicaid if they made one of two typical errors
- Overstating income by including child support and other sources
- Understating household size by excluding their unborn baby
- They may be eligible for premium subsidies for private health insurance
