Quick answer
Apply at YourTexasBenefits.com (or 2-1-1, option 2) for SNAP, TANF (up to $382 a month for a single parent with two children), and Medicaid or CHIP for your children; if you are pregnant, you qualify for pregnancy Medicaid up to 198% of poverty with 12 months of postpartum coverage. For child care, contact your local Workforce Solutions board about TWC Child Care Services. Enroll in WIC for children under 5, open a free child support case with the Texas Attorney General, and use One-Time TANF in a crisis. At tax time, claim the EITC and Child Tax Credit. Applying is free.
Key facts
- TANF: up to $382 a month for a one-parent family of three; One-Time TANF provides a once-a-year crisis payment with no published fixed amount.
- Children’s coverage: Medicaid and CHIP cover most low-income Texas children; Texas Health Steps provides free checkups.
- Mothers’ coverage: limited for adults; pregnancy Medicaid lasts 12 months after delivery, and Marketplace subsidies start at 100% of poverty.
- Child support: the Office of the Attorney General’s Child Support Division provides free services.
- No real program charges a fee to apply.
Table of contents
- Texas assistance programs for single mothers
- How TANF, SNAP, and WIC help
- Health coverage for you and your children
- Help paying for child care
- Child support and tax credits that add income
- Help with rent and utility bills
- Documents to have ready
- Where can I get diapers and baby items?
- How to apply, step by step
- Related guides
- Frequently asked questions
Texas assistance programs for single mothers
| Need | Program | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Cash | TANF; One-Time TANF | YourTexasBenefits.com |
| Food | SNAP; WIC; school meals | YourTexasBenefits.com; WIC clinic; school |
| Children’s health coverage | Medicaid; CHIP | YourTexasBenefits.com |
| Pregnancy and postpartum care | Medicaid for Pregnant Women; CHIP Perinatal | YourTexasBenefits.com |
| Child care | TWC Child Care Services | Local Workforce Solutions board |
| Child support | OAG Child Support Division | texasattorneygeneral.gov |
| Utilities and phone | CEAP; Lifeline | Local energy agency; provider |
| Rent and emergencies | Local and charity funds | 211 Texas |
How TANF, SNAP, and WIC help
Texas HHS describes its cash programs on its TANF page: monthly TANF for very-low-income families with children (the maximum for a one-parent family of three is $382), and One-Time TANF for a crisis such as a job loss or losing a home, once a year. Parents must cooperate with child support and take part in work activities through Choices unless exempt. SNAP is usually worth far more: from Oct. 1, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2027, a family of three can receive up to $808 a month; estimate with our SNAP calculator. WIC adds healthy food, formula, and breastfeeding support for children under 5.
Health coverage for you and your children
- Children: Medicaid covers children in low-income families, and CHIP covers children in families who earn too much for Medicaid; Texas Health Steps provides free checkups and dental for children on Medicaid.
- Pregnancy: Medicaid for Pregnant Women covers prenatal care, delivery, and 12 months postpartum for households up to 198% of poverty; see our pregnant mothers in Texas guide.
- Mothers: Texas did not expand Medicaid, so parents qualify only at very low incomes. Mothers above 100% of poverty can buy subsidized coverage on HealthCare.gov; Healthy Texas Women covers family planning and women’s health services.
- Community health centers charge sliding fees for everyone.
Help paying for child care
The Texas Workforce Commission funds Child Care Services through local Workforce Solutions boards for parents who are working, in school, or in job training, with a parent share based on income; families receiving TANF or in Choices get priority. Waiting lists are common, so apply early and ask about Head Start and Early Head Start, which are free for low-income families, and public pre-K for eligible 3- and 4-year-olds. See our Texas child care assistance guide.
Child support and tax credits that add income
The Office of the Attorney General’s Child Support Division provides free services: locating the other parent, establishing paternity, setting and enforcing orders, and collecting payments, per the OAG child support page. At tax time, working single mothers can claim the federal Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit, which can add thousands of dollars even if you owe no tax; free tax help is available at IRS VITA sites.
Help with rent and utility bills
- CEAP: Texas’s LIHEAP pays part of electric or gas bills for households up to 150% of poverty; see our Texas utility assistance guide.
- Lifeline: up to $9.25 a month off phone or internet, per the FCC.
- Rent: city, county, and charity funds through 211 Texas; see our emergency help for single mothers in Texas.
Watch out: no Texas program charges to apply. Sites selling “single mom grants” are scams.
Documents to have ready
Most delays come from missing papers. Having this packet ready before your first appointment usually saves a second trip.
| Document | Why agencies ask for it |
|---|---|
| Photo ID for each adult | Confirms identity; a driver license, state ID, or passport works |
| Social Security numbers for everyone applying | Required for SNAP, Medicaid, and cash programs |
| Children’s birth certificates | Proves household size and ages |
| Proof of income for the last 30 days | Pay stubs, benefit letters, child support, or a signed no-income statement |
| Lease or rent receipt and recent utility bills | Counts shelter costs, which raise SNAP benefits |
| Child support orders or payment records | Counted as income and needed for OAG child support services |
If you are missing something, apply anyway. Caseworkers can often verify information electronically or give you time to bring documents.
Where can I get diapers and baby items?
Diaper banks, pregnancy resource centers, churches, and WIC partners give free diapers, wipes, and baby supplies; dial 211 Texas. Hospitals and health departments may provide free car seats and portable cribs for families who need them. See our churches that help with diapers guide.
How to apply, step by step
- Apply at YourTexasBenefits.com for SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid or CHIP for your children; bring ID, birth certificates, Social Security numbers, proof of income, and bills.
- Call your local WIC clinic if you are pregnant or have a child under 5.
- Contact Workforce Solutions about child care and job training.
- Open a child support case with the Office of the Attorney General.
- Dial 211 Texas for rent, utility, and diaper help.
- File taxes to claim the EITC and Child Tax Credit.
Applying is free. Texas HHS, WIC, TWC, the OAG, and 211 Texas never charge.
For more specifics, see our guides on Texas assistance programs and help for single moms in Texas.
Related guides
- Financial assistance for single mothers
- Texas financial assistance
- Texas Children’s Health Insurance Program
- Hardship grants in Texas
Frequently asked questions
What assistance can single mothers get in Texas?
TANF and One-Time TANF, SNAP, WIC, Medicaid and CHIP for children, pregnancy Medicaid, TWC child care, free child support services, CEAP utility help, Lifeline, and tax credits.
How much is TANF for a single mother in Texas?
Up to $382 a month for a one-parent family of three. One-Time TANF provides a once-a-year crisis payment.
Can single mothers get Medicaid in Texas?
Children usually can, through Medicaid or CHIP. Mothers qualify during pregnancy and for 12 months after, or at very low incomes; others can use Marketplace subsidies.
How do single mothers get child care help in Texas?
Through TWC Child Care Services at your local Workforce Solutions board, for parents who work, study, or train. Head Start is free for eligible families.
How do I get child support in Texas?
Open a free case with the Office of the Attorney General’s Child Support Division online or by phone.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 25, 2026. If a source and this page ever disagree, follow the source.
- Texas Health and Human Services: TANF and One-Time TANF
- Texas Health and Human Services: Medicaid and CHIP
- Texas Office of the Attorney General: Child Support
- Texas Workforce Commission: Child Care Services
- Federal Communications Commission: Lifeline
- USDA FNS: SNAP cost-of-living adjustments, FY 2027 tables
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice, and not an application. Program rules change; confirm with the agency that runs each program. National Relief Program is an independent website, not a government agency.
Before you apply: program rules, amounts, and deadlines change. Always confirm details with the official agency or program administrator. Applying for government benefits is free.
National Relief Program is an independent guide, not a government agency. Spotted an error? Email support@nationalreliefprogram.org.
