Tired mother working on a laptop at home while two children play around her

For single moms and solo parents · Licensed in 20 U.S. states

Health insurance
for single mothers.

One paycheck, a full house, and no time for a three-hour shopping session. Here is how a single mom can cover herself and her children for less, in one short call.

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Raising kids on one income

Covering a family
on one paycheck.

There is no special plan just for single parents. What changes is how your household and income are counted. Three things worth knowing first:

Savings follow the size of your family.

Marketplace tax credits are based on your household income compared with the poverty line for your family size. A parent supporting children on one income may qualify for a credit, within the income limits.

Your kids may qualify for CHIP.

Children may be eligible for the Children's Health Insurance Program even when a parent isn't. You can apply for Medicaid or CHIP any time of year, and each state sets its own rules.

Shared custody has its own rule.

With shared custody, a child goes on the application of the parent who claims that child for the tax year. Settle who claims each child before either parent applies.

Mother using a laptop on the sofa while her daughter hugs her — Photo: Pexels photo 5093653 by Kamaji Ogino, used under the Pexels License. Cropped, resized, and converted to WebP. Modified from the original.

What counts

Your pay counts. Child support doesn't.

The Marketplace bases tax credits on your household income for the year you are covered.

Child support you receive is not counted as income on a Marketplace application.
Wages, tips, and profit from side work do count. Estimate what you expect for the whole year, not one good month.
Include any child under 21 you take care of who lives with you, even if you don't claim them on your taxes.
If your hours or pay change mid-year, update your application so the tax credit matches your new income.

Single moms in numbers

Most single-parent families with
children are headed by mothers.

7.7 million

U.S. families with their own children under 18 were headed by a mother with no spouse present in 2025.

About 3 in 4

One-parent families with their own children under 18 were mother-only families in 2025.

15.3 million

U.S. children under 18, about 21% of all children, lived with their mother only in 2025.

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, Table FM-1 and Table CH-1, Current Population Survey historical tables, released December 2025. U.S. figures only.

Paul DanielsLicensed health advisor · NPN 20986580

Working with Paul

A broker who knows
your time is short.

Daniels Health Advisors is the independent brokerage Paul Daniels founded, licensed in 20 U.S. states. We help single mothers price a plan for themselves and their kids, check whether the children may qualify for CHIP or Medicaid, and compare the total monthly cost. A one-income household may qualify for help with Marketplace premiums, so that is our first stop. If that doesn't fit, we can also look at private PPO options. Some private plans ask health questions, and approval is not guaranteed. Some may not cover care for health problems you had before you enrolled.

We keep the call short and focused, so you can fit it between school pickup and dinner.

Short calls you book online
Licensed in 20 U.S. states · Paul Daniels, NPN 20986580 · FL license G065122
You do not pay us for our help. We are paid by the insurance companies when you enroll. Your price for a plan is the same whether you use us or sign up on your own. Commissions can differ by company.

Your first call

Single mother coverage in three steps.

Tell us who is in your home

Your children's ages, who claims them, and any coverage they have now.

We total your income

Pay, tips, and side work you expect this year, without child support.

Compare the full cost

A plan for you and the kids, next to a plan for you with the kids on CHIP if they qualify.

Book a 15-minute call

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What people say
about working with us.

“I’ve know Paul for years and definitely trust him in the health advisor dept! Working with small business owners he has been a great partner with explain options and provide solutions!”

Sandra D.
Facebook recommendation

“Paul was very helpful in my search for business group insurance. He was able to explain my options and answer all the questions I had before signing up. Highly recommend working with him!”

Adil J.
Facebook recommendation

Before you pay

Price the family plan
two ways.

If your children qualify for CHIP, HealthCare.gov says they won't get savings on a Marketplace plan, and CHIP will probably cost less. You may still get savings for yourself. If you take advance credits and earn more than you expected, the extra credit can come back as a tax bill. Under current law, starting with 2026 taxes, there is no cap on that payback. What you get from the call:

An income estimate based on one paycheck
A family plan price after any tax credit
A note on whether your kids may qualify for CHIP
Network results for your children's doctors

A checklist for

Single moms shopping for coverage.

Confirm who claims each child this year if you share custody.
Leave child support off your income estimate.
Ask your state about CHIP or Medicaid for your kids. You can apply any time of year.
Pricing coverage for the whole family? See our guide to how much family health insurance costs.

Single mother questions

Single mother health insurance FAQ.

Is there special health insurance for single mothers?

No plan is sold only to single parents. Single moms shop the same individual and family plans as everyone else. What helps is that savings are based on household income and family size, and children may qualify for CHIP or Medicaid.

Can my kids get coverage if I don't qualify for Medicaid?

They may. CHIP covers children in families that earn too much for Medicaid, and each state has its own rules. You can apply any time of year, and if your kids qualify, coverage can start right away.

Does child support count as income for health insurance?

Not on a Marketplace application. HealthCare.gov lists child support as income you don't include. Alimony from a divorce finalized before January 1, 2019, does count.

My ex and I share custody. Who puts the kids on an application?

The parent who claims them as tax dependents that year. HealthCare.gov says to include children whose custody you share only in the years you claim them.

I just had a baby. Can I add coverage now?

Often, yes. Having a baby can qualify you for a special enrollment period. HealthCare.gov says coverage can start the day of the birth, even if you enroll up to 60 days afterward.

Do I have to wait for open enrollment?

Not for every plan. A private plan (not from the Marketplace) can often be bought any time of year. Some private plans ask health questions, and approval is not guaranteed. Some may not cover care for health problems you had before you enrolled. Marketplace plans, and other plans that follow ACA rules, work differently. As of October 24, 2026, under current law, open enrollment for 2027 plans on HealthCare.gov runs from November 1, 2026, to January 15, 2027. To start coverage January 1, pick a plan by December 15. States that run their own Marketplace may set different dates, so check with your state's Marketplace. A federal appeal about these rules is pending (City of Columbus v. Kennedy, 4th Cir. No. 26-1938), with oral argument set for October 30, 2026, so confirm the dates before you enroll. Outside open enrollment, you need a special enrollment period, such as one after losing job-based coverage.

Cover your family
on your schedule.

Book a short call at a time you pick, or check prices online now.

Book a 15-minute call Get a quote online

By Paul Daniels, licensed insurance agent (NPN 20986580).

Disclaimer

Daniels Health Advisors LLC is an independent brokerage, not a carrier, HealthCare.gov, or CMS. Agent: Paul Daniels, NPN 20986580, Florida license G065122. This page is about personal health insurance for single parents. It is not tax or legal advice. Family figures are from public government data and describe groups, not you. Tax credits, plans, networks, and prices depend on your state, zip code, income, and household. We never guarantee approval, a doctor, or a price. Not medical, legal, or tax advice.

Health insurancefor single mothers.

Covering a familyon one paycheck.