Assistance for Single Moms in West Virginia

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

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Eligible households and single mothers can receive monthly benefits to help them buy food from the West Virginia Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Household size, assets, income and some household expenses are the factors that determine eligibility to receive benefits. Purchasing food for human consumption and seeds/plants to grow at home are the only uses of SNAP benefits. The benefits can not be used for: alcohol products, tobacco, grooming products, household items, pet food, etc. 800-642-8589 to call the DHHR to speak with a client service representative.

West Virginia School Breakfast and Lunch Program
Public schools, with the help of the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs serve more than 180,000 students healthy, well-balanced meals each day. The School Breakfast Program provides the funding necessary to make all of this possible. Provided that the meal meets established nutrition standards, Federal funds for each breakfast and lunch served will be provided to schools. For more information on the program call the West Virginia Office of Children at 304-558-2708.

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 304-558-2708.

West Virginia Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Supplemental foods, nutrition education and referrals to health care and other social services are provided at no cost by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children better known as the WIC program.

The beneficiaries are

1. pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women,
2. infants, and
3. children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk.

To contact the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources for more information on the program please call 304-558-0030.

West Virginia Summer Food Service
Children who would normally receive free or reduced price meals when school is in session can receive nutritious meals from the West Virginia Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). This helps families to stretch their food dollars during the summer months while at the same time helping children maintain a nutritious diet. Playgrounds, parks, housing authorities, day camps, community centers, and churches are some of the various locations where this program is offered. Learning and recreational activities for children usually accompany the meal service. 304-558-4856 for further questions and finding out how to apply for this benefit program.

Works
WV WORKS is West Virginia’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program. Assisting economically dependent at-risk families to become self-supporting, enhancing the well-being of children, and assisting families near the poverty level to remain self-sufficient are the main goals of this assistance program. Eligible families and single moms will receive cash assistance from WV WORKS. 304-872-0820 for more information on the program.

West Virginia 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 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.

Credit Services
Credit counselors in West Virginia 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.

Financial Assistance
Funds to pay for basic needs may be provided from time to time to single mothers by the Salvation Army. Rent, providing food and medications, electric bills, and other support can be accounted for with the money and case management offered by the program to help low-income families in need.

Medicaid
Medical care can be received in the community or in an institutional setting, such as a nursing home, by using the medical card provided by the West Virginia Medicaid Program. This way, the health needs of those who may not be able to afford medical care can be addressed. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid services (CMS) under the Social Security Administration administers Medicaid on a Federal level.

West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program (WV CHIP)
Eligible children can get quality health insurance from the West Virginia Children’s Health Insurance Program (WV CHIP), a program that also strives to develop a health care system in which all West Virginia children can access health care coverage. From birth up to the age 19, WV Chip is a free or low-cost health plan. Preventive care, such as well-child and immunizations, prescriptions, vision, dental, hospital visits, and mental health services are some of the covered services. 877-982-2447 for more information on the program.

Legal Aid
There are several West Virginia organizations that can provide free legal representation and advice to low and moderate income single moms. 866-255-4370 for application for attorney or advocate assistance from the Legal Aid of West Virginia.

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 Rhode Island 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. 800-379-1032 for more questions.

Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
Eligible households and single moms can receive help with the cost of home heating from the West Virginia Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) through direct cash payments or payments to utility companies on their behalf. Households without resources facing the loss of a heating source will have a crisis component made available to them. A combination of factors determine eligibility for both program components such as income, type of heating payment and total heating costs. 304-558-0684 to contact the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources for more information.