Help for Single Moms in Alaska – Grants, Loans

No one may know and understand the challenges you are facing as a single mom right now, but looking for help in the right places is invaluable when you need it. Whether you want to go back to college on a grant, need cash, food and utility bill help, there are still state and Federal programs in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Kotzebue and other towns in between.
CASH – If you are needing cash from an outside source for the first time because of job loss, the Alaska Temporary Assistance Program (ATAP) may be able to provide cash as well as work services to assist you. For general questions you can call 907-465-3347. If you have already expended this option, you may need to consider asking a friend or
family member for a temporary loan until you get back on your feet.
FOOD – The state of Alaska has the food stamp program that is available through the Division of Public Assistance. The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) provides monthly packages of food to pregnant, new moms and children up
to 6 years of age. This program is available in Anchorage and Fairbanks. Call 457-4273 in Fairbanks. Valdez, Talkeetna, Stony River, Sitka, Seward, Seldovia, Wrangell, Ketchikan, Petersburg, Klawock, Juneau, Homer, Haines, Seward, Ouzinkie, Nondalton, Nome, St. Michael, Koyuk, Ft. Yukon, Cordova, Naknek, Port Heiden, Anaktuvik Pass, Metlakatla, Kotzebue, Kodiak Island, Hope, Tok, Emmonak, Copper Center, Dillingham, Atka, Mtn. Village and Aniak all have telephone numbers and area agencies that may be able to help you with food. http://www.foodbankofalaska.org.
GRANTS – If you do some checking around, you will find that jobs related to the care of senior citizens and jobs related to the medical profession are highly needed in the downed economy because the sick and infirm are in need of assistance. If you want training you might start by applying for the Free Application for Student Aid (fafsa). You can also check with the financial administrator in a college to see what other help might be available to you as a single parent.