Assistance for Single Moms in Kentucky

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

Kentucky Food Benefits / EBT
Single moms in Kentucky with little or no money can get help with buying the food they need for healthy meals from the Food Benefits/EBT assistance program. Used to buy food at participating stores, the program provides people with an EBT card. When added to the household’s money, Kentucky Food Benefits/EBT increase the household’s food buying power.
Each month, the Kentucky Food Benefits/EBT will be deposited into a benefit account. In order to access your food stamp benefits you will receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card and a Personal Identification Number (PIN) in the mail. Any food item may be purchased with the EVT card, except for ready-to-eat hot foods.
The Food Benefits/EBT Program for Families and Children is run by The Kentucky Cabinet. Call 800-372-2973 for more information.

Kentucky School Breakfast and Lunch Program
The National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs are part of the Division of School & Community Nutrition within the Kentucky Department of Education. More than 180,000 students in Kentucky are provided with a daily breakfast from over 1,300 public, private, and parochial schools and residential child care institutions. For more information regarding the programs, please call 502-564-5625.

Special Milk Program
Children in schools, childcare institutions, and eligible cams that do not participate in the Federal child nutrition meal service program are provided with milk from the Special Milk Program. Schools that participate in the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Programs can participate in the Special Milk Program for half-day kindergarten and pre-kindergarten children who do not have access to a school meals program. Schools and institutions are reimbursed for the milk they serve. Contact the Department of Education at 502-564-5625 for more information.

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 WIC program call the Kentucky DPH toll-free at 800-462-6122.

Kentucky Summer Food Service
When National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program meals are not available, the Summer Food Service Program was created to serve nutritious meals to children. SFSP reimburses organizations that prepare and serve meals to children 1 to 18 years of age during the summer and school vacation periods at eligible sites, to help ensure that all Kentucky children receive proper nutrition throughout the year. For more information contact Cathy Gallagher by dialing 502-564-5625.

Traditional Assistance Program (K-TAP)
Using Federal funds from the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) block grant, the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP) is the monetary assistance program established by Kentucky. Single moms and needy dependent children and their parents, or relatives, with whom the children are living are provided with financial and medical assistance from K-TAP. Finding jobs or offering training, that leads to jobs are other benefits the program offers families. Call the K-TAP information line for more information at 502-564-7050.

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.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
Helping income-eligible participants afford safe, healthy homes in their community, the Section 8 Housing Choice voucher Program is the federal government’s major program. The program allows single moms to choose a home, including the one they already live in, and use a voucher to obtain rental assistance.

Credit Assistance
Credit counseling and non-profit housing organizations offer help to Kentucky single moms to eliminate their medical and credit card debts. Assistance with home loans and foreclosure services are other forms of help that many centers will provide. To contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling call 800-388-2227.

Financial Assistance
With locations all across Kentucky, the Salvation Army is one of the nation’s leading charities. Financial help with bills and expenses can be offered through the Family Services program. Services can provide food, pay housing and rent costs, transportation, and other help.

Kentucky Medical Program (KMS)
Single moms and families who have no medical insurance or have inadequate medical insurance can now receive medical and health-related assistance from the Kentucky Medical Program. Generally the program aims to help: members of families with dependent children; children in foster care homes; pregnant women; persons aged 65 or older; blind or permanently disabled persons; and individuals under age 21 in psychiatric hospitals. Call 505-564-3232 for more information.

Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP)
Kentucky children can get free or low cost health insurance from the Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP). The program covers everything from broken bones to booster shots, from checkups to prescriptions, hearing aids, eyeglasses, dental care, hospital care and more. For more information please call 877-524-4718.

Legal Assistance
Free legal support on civil matters can be provided by several pro-bono law firms in Kentucky to single mothers across the state. A review on your rights on housing, taxes and other matter can be done by meeting with an attorney. To contact the Legal Aid Society in Kentucky, please call 800-292-1862.

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 Tennessee 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.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Low-income single mothers in Kentucky can get help with paying high heating bills from the Low Income Home Assistance Program. If the energy costs are too high a family may be forced to choose between heat and food or medicine. The Kentucky LIHEAP program aims to help avoid that. Call 502-564-3440 for more information on eligibility and benefits.