Motherhood is a journey that comes with its own unique challenges and joys. Fortunately, there are numerous resources available to you at every stage of your journey. From hands-on assistance to online platforms and community support, the options are abundant and diverse. Below are a variety of resources designed to empower mothers like you with the tools you need to thrive.
Financial Assistance Programs:
These programs can help make your bills more manageable.
- Wisconsin Works (W-2) can offer cash payments to low-income parents and pregnant women engaged in job training and employment programs.
- Emergency Assistance is a one-time payment you can apply for every 12 months if you are faced with an emergency due to fire, flood, natural disaster, energy crisis, homelessness or impending homelessness.
- Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) : provides a significant tax refund to working families.
- Job Access Loans are short-term, interest free loans that can help you cover immediate financial expenses related to obtaining or maintaining employment.
- Wisconsin Child Support Program: If you do not live with the other parent of your child, this program will work with you to get child support payments.
- Wisconsin’s Caretaker Supplement a cash benefit available to parents who get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments.
Food and Nutrition Services:
Feed your family right with these programs.
- FoodShare (SNAP): extends monthly benefits to families with limited income, ensuring access to nutritious food.
- The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) provides groceries for about three to five days to supplement the food provided by food pantries.
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program with WIC serves those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or postpartum, as well as infants and children up to age five. Foster parents and relatives may also apply on behalf of an infant or child in their care.
- Farmers Market Nutrition Program offers WIC members checks to spend at local farmers markets.
- Breastfeeding and Lactation Support supports you in feeding your child as much as you want for as long as you want.
Child Care Support:
Make sure your kids are safe with these resources:
- Wisconsin Shares subsidizes childcare costs that allows parents to pay a co-payment as low as 2% of their gross income, making childcare more affordable and accessible.
- YoungStar is a tool to help you find safe childcare providers in your city.
- Birth to 3 can help connect you to services and resources that will help you understand your child’s development and help your child grow and learn to their fullest potential.
- Head Start or Early Head Start programs provide educational activities and care for children younger than 6 years old in low-income families.
Healthcare Programs:
These resources can help you and your family stay healthy.
- BadgerCare Plus offers comprehensive coverage to families, pregnant women, and children.
- Wisconsin Oral Health Program is to protect and promote the oral health of families while providing affordable services.
- Maternal Mental Health Hotline is a 24/7 free and confidential mental health hotline for pregnant and new moms. Dial 833-943-5746 (833-9-HELP4MOMS) if you are struggling.
Educational & Training Opportunities:
Get the support you need to find the career of your dreams.
- The Wisconsin Tuition Grant program provides financial aid and can be a game-changer for single mothers looking to further their education and improve their career prospects.
- The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program can support you while you go to school and training for a career in a local industry.
- FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) helps individuals and families find careers and keep them, too!
Housing Resources:
These programs can help you keep a roof over your family.
- Housing Assistance may be available if you are homeless, or in danger of becoming homeless, and need somewhere immediate to stay.
- Wisconsin Housing Choice Voucher Program with very low to extremely low incomes rent decent, safe, and affordable housing of their choice.
- Wisconsin Housing Search provides a directory of housing units that fits your needs and your budget.
- The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) provides assistance for heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations.
- The Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund helps keep the heat, water, power on for Wisconsin families in crisis.
Can’t find a resource on this list? We may have something for you. Our programs are designed to help you and your family thrive.
Learn more about our services or connect with a case manager today.