Assistance for Single Moms in Alaska

Single moms can receive aid and assistance in all cities and counties across the state of Alaska. Assistance programs help with free food, housing costs, rent, energy bills, mortgages, free health care, and more

Alaska Food Stamp Program
Low income single moms can receive food benefits for their children and themselves from the Alaska Food Stamp Program. 100 percent of the food stamp benefit is funded by the Federal government. Half the cost of operating the Food Stamp Program in Alaska is covered by the State. The Alaska Quest card is the method through which food stamp benefits are distributed by the Division of Public Assistance. The household’s countable income and size of the household are the factors that determine how much a household receives each month. Eligible households use the food stamp benefits they receive to buy food products from authorized stores across the whole state of Alaska. Call 907-465-3325 for more information.

Alaska School Breakfast and Lunch Program
Public and private nonprofit schools and residential child care institutions serving children of high school age and younger can benefit from the Alaska School Breakfast and Lunch Program. Residential childcare institutions must be operated principally for the care of children and they must be licensed. Group homes, homes for the physically, mentally or emotionally impaired, temporary shelters, orphanages, and juvenile detention centers are also included. For more information call the state’s Child Nutrition Programs office at 907-465-8708.

Alaska Special Milk Program
Including shelters which do not participate in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) meal program, the Alaska Special Milk Program is made available to public and private nonprofit schools, child care shelters, residential child care institutions, and other nonprofit institutions devoted to the training and care of children. While in a child care institution, the program reimburses for all milk served to children. Low income children that benefit from this program may be reimbursed the full cost of the milk served. Call 907-465-8708 for more information.

Alaska Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Single moms, pregnant women, new mothers and young children can get assistance with eating well, learn about nutrition and stay healthy with the help of the Alaska Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program. Low-income women, children, and infants can receive nutrition education and counseling, nutritious foods and assistance with access to health care, through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program, popularly known as WIC. Call the Family Nutrition Services at 907-465-3100 if you want to learn more.

Alaska Summer Food Service
In order to help Alaska children in low-income areas get the nutrition they need to play, learn, and grow, the Summer Food Service program provides free, nutritious meals and snacks throughout the summer months when they are out of school. For more information call 907-465-3316.

Temporary Assistance Program
Low-income families and single moms with children can receive cash assistance from the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (TAP) to help them with basic needs while they work to become self-sufficient. This program is provided under the Federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant. For general questions call 907-465-3347.

Head Start
Head Start is a Federal program that aims to enhance the cognitive, emotional, and social development of children from birth to age five from low income families making sure they are school ready. Language, literacy, and social and emotional development are some area where the program can support a child’s growth. The role of parents is emphasized by the program as their child’s first and most important teacher. To find a Head Start or Early Head Start program near you, call 866-763-6481.

Rental Assistance Vouchers
The HUD funds most of the main programs. Very low income single moms as well as income qualified disabled residents and the elderly can receive help. Section 8 and other Housing and Urban Development resources can help pay for a portion of an applicant’s rent. Contact the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation for more information by calling 907-338-6100 (Anchorage) or 800-478-2432 outside Anchorage.

Credit Services
Credit counselors in Louisiana offer budgeting skills, mediation services, repayment plans with your creditors, and low cost debt management plans to help single moms get out of debt. To contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling call 800-388-2227.

Medicaid
Specified low-income target groups in Alaska can receive health insurance from the Medicaid program. Potential recipients include single moms, pregnant women, children, blind, the aged, and/or disabled, and people who are eligible to receive federally assisted income maintenance payments. The program sends payments directly to health care providers instead of giving the client cash in hand. Call 888-318-8890 or 907-269-6529 for more information.

Alaska Denali KidCare (CHIP)
Children and teens of both working and non-working families can receive the health insurance they need from the Denali KidCare in Alaska. For pregnant women who meet income guidelines, and Alaska children and teens through age 18, the program provides excellent health insurance coverage. For more information on the program you may call 888-318-8890 (statewide except Anchorage), or 907-269-6529 if in Anchorage.

Legal Aid
Low to moderate income single mothers, the elderly and the disabled can receive free legal assistance from the numerous non-profit law firms that operate across the state of Alaska. To contact the Alaska Legal Services Corporation, please call 907-272-9431.

Unemployment Insurance
Temporary benefit payments are provided to workers unemployed through no fault of their own, with the help of the Alaska Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program. Unemployment benefits serve not only as a stabilizing influence on local economies but also to bridge the economic gap for the worker. Call 888-252-2557 to contact the Unemployment Insurance Claim Center.

Alaska Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Low-income households and single moms can get assistance with their home energy costs through the Heating Assistance Program, a program that is administered by the Alaska Division of Public Assistance. The program is funded with state general funds and Federal Block grant dollars. Applications for the Heating Assistance program are accepted October 1 through April 30. You can file in an application any time during this period of time. Grants begin to be awarded by the program on November 1. Call 800-470-3058 for more information on benefits and eligibility.