Assistance for Single Moms in Iowa

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

Iowa Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
The general welfare of low income families and single moms is promoted through the Food Assistance Program by raising their levels of nutrition to avoid hunger and malnutrition. For more information on benefits and eligibility call the Department’s Field Office Support unit at 515-281-6899 or 800-972-2017.

Iowa School Breakfast and Lunch Program
Nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free meals are being offered to school children each school day with the help of the School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. Nearly 70,000 schools offer breakfast at school nationwide while over 92,000 schools offer lunches at school. Dietary Guidelines for Americans Federal nutrition standards must be met by school breakfasts and lunches. Children can also be given after school snacks by some schools if they participate in the school’s afterschool programs. Call the Bureau of Food and Nutrition for more information at 515-281-4754.

Special Milk Program
Children in schools, childcare institutions, and eligible camps that do not participate in other Federal child nutrition meal service programs, are provided with milk from the Special Milk program. Schools can participate in the Special Milk Program only for half-day kindergarten and pre-kindergarten children who do not have access to a school meals program, if the schools in question already participate in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs. For the milk they serve, the program reimburses schools and institutions. Any child in a school or institution can get milk as long as they get involved in the Special Milk Program. For more questions about the program call 515-281-5356.

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Low-income pregnant, breastfeeding postpartum women and single moms, infants and children up to the age of 5 who are determined to be at nutritional risk can receive supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care, at no cost, from the WIC Program. Applicants must be determined by a health professional, at no cost, to be a nutritional risk in order to be fully eligible for the program. For more questions about the Iowa WIC program, call 800-532-1579.

Iowa Summer Food Service Program
Ensuring that low-income children continue to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session is the main reason for which the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) was established. All children 18 years old and under can receive free nutritious meals and snacks that meet Federal nutrition guidelines at approved SFSP sites in areas with significant concentrations of low-income children. Call the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE (for Spanish speakers) to find a free, nutritious summer meal site near you.

Family Investment Program (TANF)
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program is called the Family Investment Program (FIP) in Iowa. The FIP program provides services for families to become self-sufficient and also provide cash assistance to support low income families with children. Employment and training services are provided to FIP participants through the PROMISE JOBS program. 800-972-2017 to contact the Department’s Field Office Support Unit to learn more about the program.

Iowa 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 Vouchers
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. 800-955-2232 for more information on how to apply for this benefit.

Financial Assistance
Call your nearest Salvation Army Center in Iowa, if you are faced with an unexpected emergency. The non-profit operates from dozens of locations across the state of Iowa. Housing, energy bills, food, gasoline vouchers and more is offered through the various programs.

Iowa Medicaid
For single mothers that qualify, the Medicaid program can pay for covered medical and health care costs. The Medicaid program is managed by the Iowa Department of Human Services and funded by Federal, state, and local governments. The program makes available a wide range of medical and health care services, these services being covered only if they are medically necessary. A free choice of a doctor, pharmacist, dentist, and other providers of services is made available to Medicaid Members. 800-972-2017 for more information.

Iowa – Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (hawk-i)
Single moms with limited incomes can get free or low cost health care coverage for their children with the help of the Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa (hawk-i) program. No family pays more than $40 per month, the amount you pay being based on the family income. For more information about the program, call 800-252-8563.

Legal Aid
Pro-bono attorneys and paralegals can offer assistance to low-income single moms. Individuals can get help on a wide range of civil legal matters from lawyers across the state of Iowa. Call 800-532-1275 for free legal help with civil law problems from the Iowa Legal Aid assistance program.

Unemployment Insurance
If eligibility requirements are met, financial assistance is provided through Unemployment Insurance benefits to workers unemployed through no fault of their own. You must have worked in Missouri during the past 12 to 18 months and have earned at least a minimum amount of wages, in order to qualify for this benefit program. For further questions call 866-239-0843.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
Low-income households and single moms can get help with their home energy bills from the Federally-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP can help you stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter, with the goal of reducing the risk of health and safety problems (such as illness, fire, or eviction). Call 515-281-2361 for more information regarding benefits and eligibility.