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WIC is a nutritional program offering food and education to women, infants and children. The program serves pregnant women and children to the age of 5. They provide growth screenings, consultations with a nutritionist, breastfeeding support and monthly checks for food.
WIC is an income-based program. To qualify, the family must either be utilizing state-paid medical benefits or be low income. Income requirements vary from state to state. Visit the USDA's website to find a local WIC agency. -
Families who need more assistance can look at the resources from the Department of Health and Human Services. These resources include cash assistance, no- and low-cost health insurance for children and child care benefits.
Cash assistance is typically based on the number of children in a family. This monthly payment is designed to help pay necessities such as housing, utilities and transportation costs. It can be combined with other assistance to alleviate hardships due to financial strain.
Health insurance costs can be a large part of a family's financial burden. State and federal programs provide health insurance for children at little to no cost to the family. These programs include Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). Health insurance programs have a higher income limit and are available to more families than cash assistance benefits.
Child care benefits help working parents earn an income while their children are cared for. Many parents cannot afford the high price of child care and forfeit jobs in order to look after their children. Benefits that pay for child care are based on a sliding scale model. Families are required to pay part of the costs, and this amount varies based on income. Another option for early childhood care and education is the Head Start program. This program is available to low-income families and provides education, family support and nutrition education. Early Head Start offers these services to prenatal families and children up to age 3, while Head Start accepts children between the ages of 3 and 5.
To apply for these benefits, families need to contact their local welfare agency. The links in the Resources provide information on the first steps to take toward getting financial help for a child. -
Single parents often find it even harder to make ends meet. They do not have the benefit of living in a two-income household. In order to ensure that children are financially cared for, the federal government has set up the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE).
This agency can help locate non-custodial parents and establish paternity. They assist with the process of calculating support and setting up payments to the custodial parent. This service helps get many children out of poverty.
Each region has its own child support division. Either parent can contact this agency and start the process of calculating and paying child support. It is in the best interests of both parties to establish this payment as early as possible. Parents who are required to pay support may have to pay for the months prior to establishing an order of support. This is often referred to as back support and can add up quickly.
