Grants for Single Mothers in Utah: 2026 Guide by Income

Most grants for single mothers in Utah are not checks you win. They are benefits the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) pays through one online account, myCase, plus a handful of programs run by the health department, the tax commission and a few nonprofits. Which ones you can get depends mostly on a single number: your household's gross monthly income.

So this guide is sorted by income, not by agency. Every amount below was read on the program's own page or manual on October 19, 2026, and the household in the examples is a single mom with two kids, ages 3 and 7.

The short version for a mom of two

• Cash from the Family Employment Program (FEP) tops out at $662 a month, and only below $1,050 of gross income
• SNAP pays up to $808 for three people from October 1, 2026
• Child care help is open up to $7,283 a month of income, the highest line on this page
• Your children can get Medicaid or CHIP at incomes where you may not
• Live Your Dream, a Utah nonprofit, takes scholarship applications until November 1, 2026

Where a family of three crosses each Utah income line

Find your gross monthly pay, before taxes, in the middle column. Every program at or above your number is worth an application. The lines come from tables that DWS and the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) publish for a household of three.

Program	Monthly income line, household of 3	What sits behind the line
FEP cash assistance	$1,050	Up to $662 a month, 36 months in a lifetime
SNAP food benefits	$2,960 gross, $2,277 net	Up to $808 a month for groceries
Medicaid for you (Adult Expansion)	$3,028	Coverage for adults 19 to 64
Medicaid for a child under 6	$3,165	Children 6 to 18 use a $3,028 line
HEAT winter energy help	$3,415	A payment toward home energy bills
WIC	$4,212	Foods for children under 5 and for pregnant or postpartum moms
CHIP for the kids	$4,554	Low-cost coverage when Medicaid says no
Child care subsidy	$7,283	DWS pays part of the provider's bill

Take a single mother earning $2,600 a month. She is far above the FEP line, yet under the lines for SNAP, Medicaid for herself and both kids, HEAT, WIC for her 3-year-old and child care, where her co-payment for two children would be $28 a month. Programs that pay less per month often add up to more than the cash grant ever could.

FEP: Utah's cash program and its 36-month clock

The Family Employment Program is Utah's version of TANF. For a household of three, gross income has to be under $1,050 a month, and the most FEP pays is $662. A household of two can get up to $531, and a household of four up to $775 (DWS, Family Employment Program requirements).

The $1,050 line is only the first test. The DWS eligibility manual also applies a net test: after allowed deductions, countable income for three has to fall under the $568 Standard Needs Budget. These amounts have not changed since October 1, 2022 (DWS, Table 1 financial income limits).

The money comes with a plan. Each case gets an eligibility worker and a separate employment counselor, every employment center has a licensed clinical therapist, and FEP can pay for no more than 36 months in a lifetime (DWS, Family Employment Program). Tell your counselor about any safety concern before the child support step described further down.

The 36 months can stretch in some cases. DWS says benefits may continue past the limit if you meet an extension reason, decided with your employment counselor (DWS, FEP time limits and extensions). Ask early which reasons apply to you, not in month 35.

State law spells those reasons out. A mom who worked at least 20 hours a week in the two previous months can get up to 24 more months, and hardship or domestic violence can justify more. Months of cash assistance from another state count toward the clock too (Utah Code 35A-3-306).

You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply for DWS financial help, and from August 20, 2026, families who use the EBT card for online grocery orders or pickup have to unlock the card first (DWS, financial assistance overview).

When an eviction notice or shutoff letter arrives

DWS also runs a one-time Emergency Assistance payment for families about to lose their housing or utilities because of a crisis they did not cause. It pays up to $450 toward one month of rent, $700 toward one mortgage payment or $300 toward utilities, once in any 12-month period (DWS, Emergency Assistance).

The rules are strict. You need a child under 18 at home, household assets of $2,000 or less, income at or below 185% of the state's Standard Needs Budget (the same $1,050 line FEP uses for three), proof that one payment fixes the problem, and a plan for the months after. If the crisis is bigger than that, the national guide to emergency assistance for single mothers lists other doors to knock on.

Food money: SNAP at $808 and WIC for the youngest

Utah's SNAP table for October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027 sets the maximum for three people at $808 a month and for four at $1,023. A family of three needs gross income at or below $2,960 and net income at or below $2,277 (DWS, SNAP income limits table).

Net income is what is left after deductions. DWS takes off 20% of earnings, part of your rent and some expenses such as child support you pay. Most households can hold up to $3,000 in countable resources, and a car usually does not count (DWS, SNAP income and resources).

One change for next year: DWS says SUN Bucks, the summer grocery benefit for school-age children, is not being offered in the summer of 2027 (DWS, SUN Bucks). Plan summer food budgets around SNAP and school or library meal sites instead.

WIC is run by DHHS through county health departments. For July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 the line for three is $4,212 a month, or $50,542 a year. If you already get Medicaid, SNAP or FEP, your income counts as eligible, and WIC does not ask about immigration status (Utah WIC, how to apply). A deeper walk-through is in the guide to WIC for single mothers.

Child care help reaches furthest up the pay scale

Of all the grants for single mothers in Utah, the child care subsidy has the widest door. DWS pays the provider directly, and for a household of three the top income group ends at $7,283 a month of countable income, as the eligibility worker figures it. Below $2,277 there is no co-payment at all (DWS, Child Care Income Eligibility and Co-Payment table).

To qualify, a single parent has to work an average of 15 hours a week at minimum wage or more, for a child under 13. Hours in training can be covered on top of that work if the course can be finished within 24 months, and a family, friend or neighbor can be paid once approved by licensing (DWS, Employment Support Child Care).

Two details protect a mom whose hours swing. Benefits are set for a 12-month certification period even if work hours rise and fall, and after a permanent job loss, Job Search Child Care can last up to three months. National options are compared in the guide to child care assistance for single mothers.

Medicaid and CHIP: why your kids qualify before you do

Utah's medical table, effective March 1, 2026, has very different lines for parents and children. The Parent/Caretaker Relative group stops at $678 a month for three. Adult Expansion Medicaid, for ages 19 to 64, goes to $3,028. Children under 6 qualify up to $3,165, and children 6 to 18 up to $3,028 (DHHS, Medical income limits Table VII).

Adult Expansion has no asset test. If your child is on Medicaid, you are expected to cooperate with the Office of Recovery Services on medical support, unless you qualify for good cause (DWS, Adult Expansion Medicaid).

When income is too high for children's Medicaid, CHIP takes over for uninsured kids under 19. Plan C covers families of three up to $4,554 a month (DHHS, CHIP income limits). DWS decides both, and you can apply online through myCase, at an employment center or by mail (DWS, how to apply).

HEAT for Utah winters

The Home Energy Assistance Target program, or HEAT, helps with home energy bills for households at or below 150% of the poverty line, which is $3,415 a month for three. A note on the HEAT income chart says households with a child under 6, someone 60 or older or a disabled member get an extra $150 on top of the regular payment, and propane or oil heat adds another $150 (DWS, HEAT income chart).

Timing matters. Households with a child under 6 can apply from October 1, while the general public starts November 1, and the program runs until federal funds are gone. If a shutoff is close, ask the local HEAT office about crisis help, and ask about a Weatherization referral at the same time (DWS, HEAT program).

Rent vouchers, and the Utah Housing money you repay

Housing Choice Vouchers, formerly Section 8, are handed out by local housing authorities. In Salt Lake County that is Housing Connect, where most voucher holders pay 30% to 40% of their monthly income toward rent (Housing Connect, Housing Choice Voucher). Other counties have their own authority, and 211 Utah can name yours.

Utah Housing Corporation (UHC) shows up on many grant lists, but its main homebuyer programs are loans. The First-time Homebuyers Assistance Program lends up to $20,000 for a newly built home priced at $450,000 or less, until funds run out (UHC, First-time Homebuyers Assistance Program).

UHC's regular down payment help is a 30-year fixed second mortgage, available only after you qualify for a UHC first mortgage through a participating lender (UHC, Down Payment Assistance).

The exception is the Utah Homebuyer Veteran Grant, up to $2,500 with no repayment, which is limited to service members and recently separated veterans buying a first Utah home (UHC, grants and other assistance programs).

Read every repayment term before signing. Rental options across states are in the housing assistance guide for single mothers.

Child support through the Office of Recovery Services

Utah's child support agency is the Office of Recovery Services (ORS), part of DHHS. You can apply online or on paper, and you need one application for each family group: two children with the same father share one, two children with different fathers need two (ORS, Apply for Child Support).

Send copies, never originals, of each birth certificate for a child born outside Utah, any paternity papers, existing orders and, if you were married, the divorce decree. ORS can pull Utah birth records and Utah paternity declarations itself. Questions go to the ORS child support line, 801-536-8500 (ORS, contact information).

College money: Pell, Utah Promise and a scholarship just for single moms

The education grants for single mothers in Utah start with the FAFSA, because nearly every state program reads it. The federal Pell Grant pays up to $7,395 for the 2026-27 school year (Federal Student Aid, Pell Grants). More on how Pell treats a parent is in the guide to Pell Grants for single mothers.

The Utah Promise Grant is open to adult residents with financial need, not just recent graduates. It can cover up to the cost of attendance at public colleges, technical colleges and several private schools, though the award depends on funding. You apply through the school's financial aid office (Utah System of Higher Education, Utah Promise Grant).

Two other state programs fit a working mom: the Adult Learner Grant, for adults in eligible online programs in high-demand fields, and the Technical Education Scholarship for certificates (Utah System of Higher Education, state aid programs).

Live Your Dream Foundation, based in Lehi, awards scholarships of $500 to $3,000 to single mothers in Utah, paid straight to the school (Live Your Dream Foundation, how we help). The current round closes November 1, 2026, with recipients told by November 20 and awards sent December 10. You need custody of your children, Utah residency, a diploma or GED and enrollment in a program (Live Your Dream Foundation, apply).

Utah tax credits that wait until you file

Utah's earned income tax credit equals 20% of your federal EITC, capped at your Utah W-2 wages. On 2025 returns, the child tax credit is $1,000 for each child aged 5 or younger on December 31, 2025, and shrinks by 10 cents for each dollar of income over $43,000 for a head of household (Utah State Tax Commission, TC-40A instructions).

The 2026 Legislature raised that phase-out for the 2026 tax year, the return you file in early 2027. A head of household now keeps the full $1,000 per child under 6 up to $49,000 of modified adjusted gross income (Utah Code 59-10-1047).

Both credits are nonrefundable: they lower Utah tax you owe but do not send back extra. The federal credits often matter more for a low-income mom, as the guide to tax credits for single mothers explains.

Free legal help, and the number that finds everything else

Utah Legal Services gives free civil legal help, generally to households at or below 200% of the poverty line, and protective order cases can qualify regardless of income. It limits help to a list of priority case types; call 801-328-8891 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on weekdays (Utah Legal Services, who qualifies).

For a denied DWS benefit, an eviction or custody papers, the guide to legal aid for single mothers covers what to bring to a first call.

211 Utah is a free, confidential referral line from the United Ways of Utah, offered in several languages. Dial 211 or 888-826-9790 any day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., or text your ZIP code to 801-845-2211 on weekdays (211 Utah). Beyond the grants for single mothers in Utah listed here, federal programs that work in every state are gathered in the national grants for single moms hub.

Frequently asked questions

Are there free cash grants for single mothers in Utah?

For a single mom with kids, the state program that pays monthly cash is FEP, and it ends at $1,050 of income for three. Live Your Dream scholarships are paid to your school, not to you. Grants for single mothers in Utah are mostly benefits such as SNAP, child care and Medicaid, which free up cash you already earn.

Can I get child care help in Utah while I am in school?

Yes, if you also work an average of at least 15 hours a week at minimum wage or more. The course of study has to be finishable within 24 months, and an associate degree that is part of a four-year degree is not supported. GED and high school classes can get an exception.

Does FEP count against the 36 months if I only get SNAP?

No. Utah law counts months in which a parent received cash assistance, in Utah or another state, toward the 36. SNAP, Medicaid, WIC and child care are separate benefits that DWS does not pay as FEP cash, so a family getting only those is not spending months. Save FEP for stretches when cash is truly needed.

What should I do first if I just became a single mom in Utah?

Open a myCase account at jobs.utah.gov and apply once for food, cash, medical and child care help. Then apply with ORS for child support, call a WIC clinic if a child is under 5, and file the FAFSA if school is part of the plan.

Is Utah Housing down payment assistance a grant?

Mostly no. The First-time Homebuyers Assistance Program lends up to $20,000 for a new home, and the standard help is a second mortgage you repay over 30 years. Utah Housing's no-repayment grant is for veterans. Ask the lender for the written repayment terms before you commit to either loan.

Sources

• Utah Department of Workforce Services. Family Employment Program, basic eligibility and maximum cash amounts. jobs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Workforce Services. Eligibility Manual Table 1, financial monthly income limits and assistance amounts (effective October 1, 2022). jobs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah State Legislature. Utah Code 35A-3-306, limits on eligibility and transitional cash assistance. le.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Workforce Services. Family Employment Program (36-month lifetime limit, ORS requirement). jobs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Workforce Services. Family Employment Program, time limits and extension criteria. jobs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Workforce Services. Financial assistance overview (non-citizens, EBT unlock from August 20, 2026). jobs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Workforce Services. Emergency Assistance. jobs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Workforce Services. Eligibility Manual Table 2, SNAP monthly income limits and maximum allotments (effective October 1, 2026). jobs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Workforce Services. SNAP income deductions and resources. jobs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Workforce Services. SUN Bucks (Summer EBT). jobs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Health and Human Services. WIC, how to apply (income guidelines July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027). wic.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Workforce Services. Eligibility Manual Table 4, child care income eligibility and co-payment (effective October 1, 2026). jobs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Workforce Services. Employment Support Child Care. jobs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Table VII, income limits for medical programs (effective March 1, 2026). oepmanuals.dhhs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Workforce Services. Adult Expansion Medicaid. jobs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Health and Human Services. CHIP Table I, income limits (effective March 1, 2026). oepmanuals-chip.dhhs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Workforce Services. How to apply for services. jobs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Workforce Services. Table II, federal poverty level and HEAT monthly income limits (effective March 1, 2026). jobs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Department of Workforce Services. Home Energy Assistance Target (HEAT). jobs.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Housing Connect. Housing Choice Voucher program, Salt Lake County. housingconnect.org (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Housing Corporation. First-time Homebuyers Assistance Program (New Construction). utahhousingcorp.org (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Housing Corporation. Grants and other assistance programs (Utah Homebuyer Veteran Grant). utahhousingcorp.org (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Housing Corporation. Down Payment Assistance. utahhousingcorp.org (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Office of Recovery Services, Utah DHHS. Apply for Child Support. ors.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Office of Recovery Services, Utah DHHS. Child support contact information. ors.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Federal Student Aid, U.S. Department of Education. Federal Pell Grants (2026-27 maximum). studentaid.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah System of Higher Education. Utah Promise Grant. ushe.edu (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah System of Higher Education. Utah scholarships and aid programs. ushe.edu (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Live Your Dream Foundation. How we help single mothers in Utah. liveyourdreamfoundation.org (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Live Your Dream Foundation. Scholarships: eligibility and applications (fall 2026 deadlines). liveyourdreamfoundation.org (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah State Tax Commission. TC-40A supplemental schedule instructions, 2025 (earned income and child tax credits). incometax.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah State Legislature. Utah Code 59-10-1047, nonrefundable child tax credit (effective January 1, 2026). le.utah.gov (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• Utah Legal Services. Who qualifies to get help from Utah Legal Services?. utahlegalservices.org (retrieved October 19, 2026)
• 211 Utah, United Ways of Utah. Find resources and help. 211utah.org (retrieved October 19, 2026)