Assistance for Single Moms in Mississippi

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

Mississippi School Breakfast and Lunch Program
Funding is provided to schools so that they can offer a nutritious breakfast to students each day by the School Breakfast Program. By providing nutritious school meals every day, the goal of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is to protect the health and well-being of the nation’s children by providing funding that makes it possible for schools to offer a nutritious school lunch. You must be a parent or primary caregiver responsible for a child(ren) who attends school (high school or under) and a resident of the state to be eligible for this program. For information about the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) including Afterschool Snacks, or the School Breakfast Program (SBP) contact the CANS office at 605-773-3413.

Special Milk Program
Fluid milk consumption is encouraged by the Special Milk Program by serving milk free to students determined to be eligible and selling milk to students at the lowest possible price. Schools participation in the National School Breakfast or Lunch programs cannot receive the benefits from this program. Children who do not have available any other Child Nutrition Programs are the only ones that can receive the Special Milk Program. 800-366-8922 to call the Department of Education Food and Nutrition Service office 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 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) . 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 Mississippi DoH by dialing 800-721-7222.

Mississippi Summer Food Service
When meals are not available from the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program, the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) steps in to serve nutritious meals to children. The SFSP reimburses organizations that prepare and serve meals to eligible children during the summer and school vacation periods to make sure that Mississippi children receive proper nutrition throughout the year. 601-354-7015 to contact the Mississippi Office of Child nutrition for more information.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Assistance for needy families and single moms with children up to age 18 without regard to race, color, creed, gender, age, disability or national origin is provided by the Mississippi Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), a program administered by the Mississippi Department of Human Services (MDHS). Children and their needy caretaker relatives who do not have enough income resources to meet their everyday needs by state Program standards will receive monthly TANF money payments. For more information and inquiries on the program, call 800-948-4060 or 601-359-4810.

Mississippi 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.

Housing Vouchers
Very low income single moms, seniors, and the disable can receive HUD housing and section 8 vouchers in Mississippi to help them pay for a portion of their housing expenses. To apply for this benefit, visit your local Public Housing Agency (PHA).

Credit Help
With the goal to help single moms get out of debt and improve their long term financial condition, several non-profit organizations focus on helping families in Mississippi. For qualified individuals the services may be free or low cost and the services offered are always confidential. To contact the National Foundation for Credit Counseling call 800-388-2227.

Social Services
The Salvation Army can offer referrals, advice and possibly cash assistance to single moms and other residents across the state of Mississippi. Housing, food, utility bill help, holiday programs, and budgeting skills are some of the things the program offers to the needy and less fortunate.

Medicaid
Low-income single moms and other residents of the state can get help with paying for medical services from the Mississippi Medicaid health care program. Medicaid is paid to providers of health care such as doctors, hospitals and pharmacists, for those eligible for full Medicaid services. To learn more about Mississippi Medicaid call 800-421-2408.

Mississippi Health Benefits (CHIP)
There are two health coverage options for children offered through Mississippi Health Benefits: Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). For families meeting family size/income requirements, CHIP is a free/low cost private health plan for children. Up until their 19th birthday this program will cover eligible children. 800-421-2408 to request a paper application.

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 Mississippi. 800-959-6752 to contact the Mississippi Center for Legal Services.

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.

Lifeline and Link-Up
Telephone customers and single moms can receive a $15 discount per month on either their home or cellular telephone bill from this federal government run program. Additionally, the universal service fund charge that appears monthly on phone bills does not need to be paid for by participants the fee being waived. 601-961-5414 to get more information on the program.

Mississippi Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Eligible households and single moms can receive financial assistance from the Mississippi Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help pay the cost of home energy bills and other energy related services. Benefits are based on the rating tool and vary depending on the intensity level. Households may qualify for the Energy Crisis (emergency) Intervention Program (ECIP) for wood, natural gas, liquid petroleum propane/butane gas, electricity, and other energy related services and/or regular LIHEAP assistance. Based on the percentage of poor households in each county compared with the state’s poverty level according to the current census data, funds are allocated to sub grantees. 800-421-0762 for more information on the program.