Aug 11
6
6 in ten children live without a father, it is important that there are benefits for single mothers. Most benefits for single mothers include Medicaid, food stamps (EBT), WIC and Housing. While the government tries to provide help sometimes it is not enough. It has been estimated by the department of agriculture that it will cost somewhere around one hundred and twenty five thousand dollars to raise a child from birth to the age of eighteen. Most single mothers need to work two jobs just to make ends meet. The second job is what would resemble the supplemental income provided by a father who is not there.
Medicaid Benefits for Single Mothers
Medicaid benefits for single mothers provide a state and federal program that helps cover doctor and hospital bills for low income single mothers. Single mothers are able to take their children to the dentist and even receive help to cover the cost of prescription medications. The Medicaid benefits for single mothers are not only for the children; Medicaid covers the mother as well. In Florida alone Medicaid is used by over three million people and it is estimated they are going to spend approximately twenty one billion dollars this year alone.
Housing Benefits for Single Mothers
Housing benefits for single mothers help them pay their rent. Housing benefits do not apply to mortgage or home loans. If the single mother has a low income or is not able to work at all housing will pay most or all of the rent. In most places the wait for the housing benefits results in the single mother and her children having to live in missions for months until the housing is approved.
WIC Benefits for Single Mothers
Most single mothers get benefits during and right after pregnancy. The WIC program is designed to provide nutritional supplements to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children after they are born. The program usually lasts until the child is 5 years old. These programs are designed by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and The American Academy of Pediatrics.
Food Stamp Benefits for Single Mothers
Out of all Food Stamp benefits received, eighty five percent go to single mothers. Most single mothers on the food stamp program will continue to be dependent on them for a long period of time. It has been said that dependence on this type of benefit often times hurt children and single mothers, in the sense that the mother will become accustomed to one way hand out and will be less apt to try and provide their own support.
These types of benefits also support marriage out of wedlock. An example of this type of benefit the single mother would receive that supports this theory is; if a mother is receiving help alone and not married and the father makes a decent wage, they would be making a decent combined income between the government help and the father’s income. If the mother and the father are to get married then the family would be penalized from the government by garnishing their financial support.