Help for single mothers in Buffalo

If you are a single mother residing in Buffalo and need help paying bills and meeting basic expenses, there are lots of options for getting the help you need.

Cash Assistance programs for single mothers

New York state has a page that describes its two different Temporary Assistance program, one of which is Family Assistance that provides cash assistance to eligible needy families and single mothers that include a minor child living with a parent (including families where both parents are in the household) or a caretaker relative. Find out more at this link.

Food assistance for single mothers

Buffalo is located in Erie County, New York, which has a webpage devoted to SNAP (formerly Food Stamps) at this link, which provides low-income households with benefits to purchase food in order to maintain good health. If you need more immediate assistance with food or meals, Western New York’s 2-1-1 online database lists 81 different food pantries at this link, and 20 different soup kitchens at this link.

Shelter and Housing grants for single mothers

If you need emergency shelter, Western New York’s 2-1-1 online database lists 16 different homeless shelters at this link. The database also lists 6 different places to turn to if you need help paying your rent at this link, and 4 groups and programs that might be able to help you make a mortgage payment at this link.

Energy and Utilities grants for single mothers

Erie County has a webpage devoted to its Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) to provide assistance with home heating costs and energy conservation for eligible households. Program components include benefit assistance for heat and electricity, furnace repair or replacement, weatherization referral, and cooling assistance (in summer months, based on medical necessity). Find out more about single mother grants at this link.

Help with Telephone and Internet Bills

New York participates in the Lifeline telephone bill discount program. Find out more at this link.

Childcare grants for single mothers

The State of New York has a Child Care Subsidy Program that can help you pay for child care so you can go to work or school. Find out more at this link. Head Start and Early Head Start are wonderful child care programs for low-income families and single mothers that help get kids ready for school. In Buffalo and Erie County, the main provider is Community Action Organization of Erie County. Find out more at this link.

Help with Medical and Dental Care

If you’re low-income, you might qualify for New York state’s Medicaid program, which you can find out about at Erie County’s website at this link. Western New York’s 2-1-1 online database lists 17 places where you can get free or low-cost dental care at this link, and 31 places to get other kinds of medical care at this link.

Help with Legal Matters

If you need legal help or representation, Western New York’s 2-1-1 online database lists seven options, including Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Neighborhood Legal Services, Western New York Law Center, Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, and Positive People and Positive Families Program – VLP at this link.

Financial Counseling for single moms

If you need help with financial, debt, credit, and budget counseling services, Western New York’s 2-1-1 online database lists three options, including Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Buffalo, Housing Service (Foreclosure Prevention, Financial Literacy Program), and Housing Counseling – Belmont Housing Resources for WNY at this link.

Help for single parents from Other Groups

There are lots of groups in City Name that provide single parents all kinds of services related to many of the areas mention above, including the following:

Salvation Army Buffalo: Link.

St. Vincent de Paul Society Buffalo: Link.

Catholic Charities Buffalo: Link.

Western New York 2-1-1: Link.

Have a question? Email us here anything that troubles you.

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If you want to give away free stuff to other single moms, let us know , and we will advertise here. You can find a link named " email us " at the top right of this website. Free stuff should be worth at least 500 usd.