How To Afford Raising A Family

If you haven’t figured it out already, raising a family is expensive. It can be scary to think about how you can afford everything you need as a provider.

You have to pay for housing, food, clothing, utilities, and many other miscellaneous expenses. That adds up quickly!

Paying those monthly bills and expenses is not easy on your wallet, especially if you’re responsible for other people. If you’re trying to afford raising a family, there is help for you.

Government Support For Families

The  government knows how much work and cost are put into raising a family. They also know that many people go through life-altering events or economic struggles unexpectedly. This is why the government has set up programs to help those people who need it.

TANF

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families is a program that helps eligible families with money. When families need to pay a bill or make a necessary purchase, TANF offers assistance.

This program helps provide financial stability to those in poverty. These grants are given from the federal government to each state and territory. 

The help you receive as well as the eligibility to receive that help depends on what state you live in. Many states require that you are either unemployed, underemployed, or have a poverty-level income. 

WIC

WIC stands for Women, Infants, and Children. This program focuses on supporting mothers and their young children. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, having given birth within the last 6 months, or have a child under 5 years old, this is for you. 

Pregnancy can be scary if you don’t have the right support. Financial fears are common when it comes to preparing for a baby. You don’t have to go through this alone.

WIC offers basic nutritional foods for women and children in need. They also teach about nutrition and offer resources for both the mother and child to get the food they need. Many of these programs offer vouchers to help with groceries. 

These offices are scattered across the country. Find your local WIC office so you can get the help you need as soon as possible. 

SNAP

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program is one of the most beneficial aids for financially struggling families. This program used to be known as Food Stamps. Although the name has changed, the purpose is still the same. 

SNAP offers food and grocery assistance to low-income households. This works through an EBT card that you can use at participating grocery stores and farmers’ markets. You can only buy basic foods and ingredients and the amount given depends on your financial need and the state’s allowance.

SNAP connects you to your state agencies, communities, faith-based organizations, and nutritionists that offer services to your family. 

CHIP

Children’s Health Insurance Program is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. This program offers health insurance for children.

Have you ever been too poor for private insurance, but not poor enough for Medicaid? If you’re teetering between these two options and can’t pay for your child’s insurance, this program is perfect for you.

Each state has different eligibility for this program, so check with your state to see if you’re eligible. Most states do require that the child is a citizen, 18 or younger, and actively live in the state they are applying in.

There are tons of benefits that this program offers. Medical support, vaccines, dental coverage, and even behavioral health services are available through CHIP.

Child Nutrition Support Programs

There are loads of options, both nationwide and local, to help your child with whatever needs they have. Many schools are working to provide needs for children every day through various programs. 

For example, many schools offer breakfast or lunch to students who qualify. Talk to your child’s school to see if you can get discounted or free meals for your child every day. Many schools that lack the resources to offer meals will at least offer milk or snacks.

The Child and Adult Care Food Program is another program that offers nutritious meals to people who need them. There are many local resources you can find just like these. 

Call your local SNAP office to find some more local resources to help you and your family. Even if you’re not eligible for the SNAP program, they can still give you some next steps.

Head Start

Childcare is a huge expense when you have kids. But how can you work full-time in order to pay bills if childcare costs an outrageous amount? It can begin to feel like you’re never getting anywhere financially.

This program’s main goal is to get your child ready for school and support the whole family in the process. Head Start wants to help you take care of your child from birth to age five so you can have the healthiest family dynamic possible.

Instead of focusing on basic physical needs alone, Head Start prioritizes emotional and mental needs as well. This program works to boost the family unit’s well-being in hopes that the family will bond more. 

Now’s the time to apply!

If you think you fit any of the descriptions of eligibility for these programs, apply now! You could receive the help you and your family have been looking for.

Raising a family isn’t easy, and adding financial struggles to it doesn’t make it any better. It’s okay to receive help from those who want to give it.

Reach out, apply, and see how you and your family can benefit from these programs.