Being a single mom often means doing everything—and paying for everything—on your own. Even if you receive financial assistance from your co-parent, it may not be enough to cover the cost of raising a child under one roof. From housing and healthcare to transportation and childcare, the cost of providing stability for your children can quickly exceed what one income can cover. This financial assistance guide for single moms is designed to help you understand what support exists, who qualifies, and how to take action without feeling overwhelmed.

Single moms deserve more than survival—they deserve stability and a way forward. It is especially helpful for single mothers who:

  • Are struggling to cover basic living expenses
  • Need help with food, childcare, housing, or healthcare
  • Want to improve credit, reduce debt, or build savings
  • Live in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, or are seeking comparable resources

Throughout this guide, you’ll find government programs, nonprofit services, and local support. You can also search Single Mom Defined’s Resource Directory for financial assistance for single moms and help with other areas of life, like legal services, workforce development and more.

Cash Assistance Programs for Single Moms

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

What TANF provides
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) offers monthly cash assistance to families with a low income. This financial assistance helps single moms pay for necessities, such as rent, utilities, clothing, and transportation while working toward employment or education goals.

Who this helps
TANF supports single mothers with dependent children, pregnant women, and families experiencing little or no income. Eligibility is based on household income, size and residency.

How to apply
Apply online through Pennsylvania’s COMPASS system, which allows you to apply for multiple benefits at once.

Need application assistance? You can apply for TANF online or by completing and submitting an application to your local county assistance office (CAO). If you need help filling out the application form or need more information about benefits, trained workers at your CAO can help.

Need a loan? The Hebrew Free Loan Association of Pittsburgh provides interest-free loans to people who live in Allegheny or a surrounding county, who have a source of income, and a specific financial need, such home improvements, medical and dental expenses, vehicle repair and purchase, and credit card consolidation. You can’t get a loan for rent, however they do offer loans for the first month/security deposit and down payments for purchasing a home.

Need a grant? YWCA Greater Pittsburgh provides grants to individuals and families in need. Their assistance programs remove barriers that hinder families from becoming self-sufficient, helping them cover costs, such as arrearages, security deposits, utilities, healthcare costs, transportation and more.

Need emergency assistance? The Allegheny Valley Association of Churches provides short-term emergency assistance to families and individuals in need. They help with rent and utility payment assistance, emergency food, clothing and shoe vouchers, gasoline vouchers, bus passes, prescriptions and referrals.

Food Assistance for Single Moms

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

What SNAP provides
SNAP helps low-income families purchase groceries through monthly benefits loaded onto an EBT card. For many households, SNAP is a foundational form of financial assistance single moms rely on to reduce food costs and stabilize their budgets.

Who this helps
Working and non-working single mothers may qualify based on income and household expenses, such as rent and childcare.

How to apply
Applications are submitted through COMPASS, and eligibility is often determined within 30 days.

Need assistance applying for SNAP? Just Harvest helps you accurately and efficiently submit a SNAP/food stamp application–saving you time, hassle and stress while ensuring your privacy. If you get denied, Just Harvest can advocate on your behalf if you are unfairly rejected or receive incorrect benefits. Their Fresh Access program also enables you to shop at farmers markets with food stamps–as well as credit and debit cards–and buy fresh, nutritious, and locally-produced food. Food Bucks give food stamp shoppers an extra $2.00 to spend on fruits and veggies for every $5.00 they spend. They also help with LIHEAP, Medicaid and TANF/cash assistance applications.

Don’t qualify for SNAP? Check the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. They have two distribution options: walk-in events where you can go inside and pick up food and drive-up events where volunteers pack your trunk while you remain in your car. Click here for the distribution calendar. The Market also offers a variety of food from fresh produce, meats, shelf-stable foods and more. You can even order online for pickup. View the hours here. 

Additionally, churches and community centers offer food pantries. You can search the Single Mom Defined directory for a listing.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

What WIC provides
WIC offers nutrition support for pregnant women, postpartum mothers, and children under age five. Benefits include healthy food packages, nutrition education and breastfeeding support.

Who this helps
Single moms who are pregnant or caring for young children and meet income guidelines.

How to apply
Contact your local WIC office or call 1-800-WIC-WINS.

There are 27 Family Centers conveniently located throughout Allegheny County. Some offer food pantries and baby formula. Find a location near you.

If you are pregnant or have children up to two-years-old, Healthy Start offers free pre- and postnatal support, such as in-home therapy, breastfeeding support, and resource coordination.

Catholic Charities also supplies parents in need with diapers, formula, clothing, and baby hygiene products

Healthcare Coverage and Medical Assistance

Medical Assistance (Medicaid)

What Medical Assistance provides
Medical Assistance offers free or low-cost health insurance covering doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, mental health services and preventive care. Healthcare coverage is a critical form of financial assistance single moms need to avoid medical debt.

Who this helps
Many single mothers and most children qualify even if the parent is employed.

How to apply
Apply through COMPASS or during a SNAP or TANF application.

Catholic Charities 

What Catholic Charities provides
Catholic Charities Free Health Care Center provides free, high quality medical and dental care. Their providers treat routine issues and identify serious problems, creating treatment plans to restore health. Their medical team provides comprehensive care for all patients. Dental services are available for adults.

Who this helps
Catholic Charities serve the uninsured, underinsured, and underserved. Their eligibility criteria is solely income less than 250% of Federal Poverty guideline (independent of insurance status).

How to apply
Call 412-456-6911 for eligibility requirements or to make an appointment. Select option #1 for the enrollment line.

Sheep Inc. Health Care Center

What Sheep Inc. Health Care Center
Sheep Inc. Health Care Center based in Penn Hills and Monroeville that delivers medical services throughout Allegheny County and surrounding counties. They offer no-cost services, such as standard exams, such as physicals and well-child checks, diagnosis and treatment for acute conditions such as bronchitis, and gastroenteritis, lab testing, such as pregnancy and strep, chronic medical condition services, such as COPD, diabetes, and hypertension, and eye scan services.

Who this helps
Individuals who are unemployed or those who cannot afford private health insurance.

How to apply
No appointment is needed! Walk-ins are available at the Penn Hills and Monroeville locations. For more information, call 412-310-0062 or email contact@sheepincclinic.org.

Childcare Assistance for Working Single Moms

Child Care Works (Child Care Subsidy)

What this program provides
Child Care Works helps cover the cost of daycare so single moms can work, attend school, or participate in job training. Subsidized childcare can reduce monthly expenses by hundreds of dollars.

Who this helps
Single mothers who are employed, seeking work, or enrolled in education or training programs.

How to apply
Call the Child Care Works helpline or apply through your local Child Care Information Services (CCIS) office.

Need help finding, choosing and paying for high quality childcare? Check out Trying Together’s finder tool and guide. Want to pursue a career in early childhood education? Visit Your Career, Our Future.

Financial Counseling and Credit Support

Allegheny County Financial Empowerment Center

What the Financial Empowerment Center provides
The Allegheny County Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) offers free, one-on-one financial counseling to help residents build budgets, improve credit, reduce debt, and establish savings. Unlike loans or credit repair companies, FEC services are unbiased and confidential.

For many families, this service is one of the most effective forms of financial assistance single moms can access for long-term stability.

Who this helps
All Allegheny County residents are eligible, regardless of income.

How to get started
Schedule a free appointment online. 

Housing, Utility, and Emergency Assistance

Allegheny County Department of Human Services (DHS)

What DHS provides
Allegheny County DHS connects families to emergency rental assistance, utility support, homelessness prevention, and crisis services through a network of nonprofit partners

Who this helps
Single moms experiencing job loss, reduced income, medical emergencies, or housing instability.

How to get help
Call or text PA 2-1-1 to be connected to local assistance programs. You can also chat with a 2-1-1 operator live on the Single Mom Defined Resource Directory.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can help pay heating or cooling bills, protect from utility shutoff, and support regardless of whether you rent or own your home. LIHEAP benefits are paid directly to your utility provider, and you do not need to receive other public benefits (such as SNAP or TANF) to qualify. Just apply through COMPASS. 

If you need immediate help, call or text PA 2-1-1 to be connected to emergency utility resources.

Catholic Charities

What Catholic Charities provides
Catholic Charities helps individuals and families across Southwestern Pennsylvania access essential resources like food, shelter, and utility assistance. 

Who this helps
Catholic Charities meet urgent needs with compassion and connect you to long-term support—no matter your background or circumstances.

How to get help                                                                                                                          

Call 412-456-6999 or email utility assistance@ccpgh.org.

Also, be sure to contact your energy provider, which may offer payment plans and weatherization programs to, such as heating system improvements, attic and wall caulking, and insulation and weather stripping.

Transportation and Employment Support

PA Ways to Work

What PA Ways to Work provides
PA Ways to Work offers low-interest auto loans and financial coaching to help individuals secure reliable transportation. Access to a dependable vehicle is often essential for employment.

Who this helps
Single mothers with limited credit who need transportation to maintain or secure work.

Emergency Grants and Nonprofit Support

SHIM (South Hills Interfaith Movement)

What SHIM provides
SHIM offers emergency financial assistance, utility support, and financial wellness coaching for families in crisis.

Who this helps
Single mothers facing short-term financial emergencies.

Navigating financial assistance as a single mom can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to do everything at once—or alone. This guide is meant to be a starting point, not a checklist you must complete overnight. Even one phone call, one application, or one appointment can ease pressure and create momentum toward stability. Seeking help is not a failure; it is a strategic step toward protecting your family and building a stronger future. Support exists, and you are worthy of receiving it. As your circumstances change, return to this guide and the Single Mom Defined Resource Directory often—because financial stability is not a single moment, but a journey, and every step forward matters.