Finding Courage and Hope: Financial Support for Women Experiencing Domestic Violence

Domestic violence or intimate partner violence impacts people of any race, age, gender or economic status. Violence can be physical, verbal, emotional and psychological. But financial abuse is one of the most common reasons that individuals of violence stay in or return to their relationships.

Many people, particularly women, fear for their economic well-being and become unsure of what to do. MoneyGeek shares options that can empower women to find support and assistance.

Financial abuse involves manipulating a person's ability to acquire, use and maintain financial resources. They may be restricted from working or may have their money stolen. They may also have to justify minimum expenses.

Financial abuse can take many forms. If your partner has a pattern of using any of the following tactics over you or your relationship, that person may be engaging in financial abuse.

• Controlling finances: A partner may gain control over their significant other by asking for access to bank accounts. In this situation, having no control over finances can lead to an increasingly limited access to funds.
• Making overt threats: Threats and intimidation allow a controlling partner to assert power. A partner may outrightly forbid their significant other from having a job or making money.
• Withholding money: Those who experience financial abuse may be forced to ask for permission to buy personal items or basic goods. They may be given a small “allowance” but forbidden from requesting anything beyond that.
• Participating in illegal behavior: Controlling partners may ask their significant other to help steal or commit fraud. Common schemes include forcing their significant other to yield their public benefits or make false insurance claims. Their identity, property or inheritance may also be stolen.
• Involving a partner in poor financial habits: Those who are in control of your finances may leave bills unpaid, run up debt or credit card limits and ask others to pay for everyday expenses.

For many women, domestic violence or intimate partner violence is life-altering. Leaving an unhealthy relationship takes courage, planning and support. Making adequate emergency and financial preparations can be a way to limit feeling overwhelmed. Rehearse and practice your plans to know the exact steps you’ll take in a situation. The more you rehearse, the better prepared you’ll be.

Having an emergency plan can help an individual leave an unhealthy relationship. Survivors can feel more prepared to forge a new path and end a cycle of dependence and violence when they are able to plan ahead.

In many unhealthy relationships, women have no or limited control over their finances. Economic fear may lead many women to stay in holding patterns with their relationship. If a woman does manage to leave, she may do so without a financial base. The following steps will help you overcome potential financial struggles.

There are various sources of financial support and assistance for survivors of violence. You can find resources and tools for housing, medical, legal and nutritional needs.

A lack of safe and affordable housing is a common barrier for survivors of violence. Women often have difficulties choosing to leave if they don’t feel they have somewhere safe to go. Whether it’s temporary or permanent, it’s advisable to start preparing and securing your safe home before you leave.

If you are renting, it may be necessary to purchase renters insurance, which can protect you and your belongings against fire, vandalism or another insured disaster.

If you’re considering purchasing a home, research popular home loans such as conventional, FHA and USDA loans and review mortgage rates to get a better idea of what your overall estimated mortgage payments may be.

It's also important to budget for homeowners insurance. You can find the best homeowners insurance by shopping around online or calling several companies for quotes.

Both temporary and short-term food assistance programs can help ensure that a survivor and her children meet their nutritional needs. An array of federal, state and local programs can help.

• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families: TANF provides financial assistance, social support programs and food for pregnant women and adults who are responsible for children under the age of 19. Recipients must have low incomes and underemployed or unemployed.
• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC): This federal program is aimed at helping women secure food. Through state programs, WIC provides food, health care referrals and nutrition education to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, as well as infants and children up to the age of five. Most states also run their own food stamp and food voucher programs.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): SNAP is a federal program that provides a supplemental budget for women and low-income families to purchase food. Women who are living in emergency or domestic abuse shelters qualify for assistance.

More than half of women seen by mental health professionals have been affected by an intimate partner. Domestic violence can result in post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and other conditions. There are several places women can go for medical and mental health support.

• Medicaid: Medicaid is a federally funded health insurance program that provides coverage for low-income individuals. Medicaid can help women access affordable primary, preventive, specialty and long-term care services.
• Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP): CHIP provides low-cost health care coverage for children whose families may make too much money to qualify for Medicaid. Every state has different eligibility requirements.
• National Center for Victims of Crime: This nonprofit organization partners with local, state and federal organizations to help advocate for victims and train professionals in offering support. It also offers resources and support for medical and mental health assistance.
• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation (AACDCF ): The AACDCF offers dental services and support programs to women and children who have suffered dental injuries as a result of domestic violence. The AACDCF will help connect you with local dentists in your area.
• The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) of 2008: The Act’s website can help answer questions you have about health insurance and using your coverage to see a mental health professional.
• Face2Face: Many nonprofits like Face2Face offer counseling, medical care, housing support and other social services to youth. Face2Face is based in Minnesota, but similar organizations exist across the United States.

Survivors of domestic violence can access assistance to exercise their rights. Legal aid services and lawyers can help a survivor understand restraining orders, child custody, family court and divorce law, among other topics. Often, domestic violence is covered by state laws, although regulations can vary.

Legal issues can be highly complex for survivors of domestic violence. The following legal resources are a good place to start.

• Guide to Domestic Violence Law in America: This guide breaks down the legal rights of survivors affected by domestic violence. It also discusses state laws for officer responses and tips for obtaining legal advice.
• Women’s Law: This site provides information by state regarding custody laws in domestic violence cases. It also provides insight into divorce and steps that women can take to gain custody of their children in each state. It is a project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, Inc.
• National Women’s Law Center: This national organization offers legal services and assistance to women. Survivors can connect with lawyers and find legal resources.
• Legal Momentum: This site provides resources and tools to assure survivors keep their jobs or find work.

Feeling financially secure can help an individual walk away from domestic violence or intimate partner violence. Improving personal finances can be a key way to begin to achieve independence.

When you’ve worked hard to regain your financial independence, you’ll want to make sure you’re protected with insurance. You should plan on getting separate auto insurance coverage if you’re taking a vehicle with you when you leave. It may also be a good idea to add coverage with a new insurance company or shop around and compare car insurance quotes for the most affordable options.

You’ll also want to obtain proper health insurance for you and your children for any physical or emotional needs. There are a variety of insurance options available for low-income families and individuals and even health insurance options for young adults.

If you already have life insurance coverage, make sure to review your current policy to update the beneficiary information and remove your former partner if that person is listed. If you have not purchased life insurance and have children or other family members who would be financially impacted by your death, purchasing coverage as soon as possible is advisable.

Having a good credit score is an important part of your financial health. A credit score allows you to access loans and credit cards which can help you in regaining your financial independence. Having a higher score will likely mean getting a lower interest rate on loans. Even bad credit scores can be improved by paying bills on time, keeping low credit card balances, paying off bills on time and paying off bills in full.

Earning and spending money can be empowering. The following sites and resources are good to use if entering the workforce after an absence due to domestic violence.

• Dress for Success: This organization provides support, professional attire and development tools to help women achieve economic independence.
• Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA): WIOA is legislation that helps Americans facing significant barriers to employment. The Act’s website provides further details and assistance.
• CareerOneStop: CareerOneStop provides a variety of resources for finding work or making a career change. It also offers training opportunities and career advisors.
• ReacHIRE: This program focuses on sending women back to work. The program includes training and placement opportunities.

Finances are one of the biggest barriers to leaving an unhealthy relationship. Whether you’re currently in, recently left or surviving such a relationship, many other resources can give you support.

• National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence: NCDSV offers consulting, training and advocacy on issues relating to domestic violence and sexual abuse.
• Allstate Foundation's Financial Literacy Program: Allstate provides financial literacy and support services to domestic violence survivors. The foundation also gives grants to shelters which offer one-year financial literacy programs.
• Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence: This worldwide organization offers a supportive community to those who have lost a loved one due to domestic violence.
• National Resource Center on Domestic Violence: The resource center offers a comprehensive source of information for people who want to learn more about domestic violence and help others.
• National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV): NNEDV projects address the causes and consequences of domestic violence. Through WomensLaw, the program also provides legal information and resources to people experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or dating violence.
• Joyful Heart Foundation: The foundation helps survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse and aims to heal, educate and empower survivors.
• National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE): The endowment is a national organization dedicated to helping individuals gain the necessary skills to increase their financial education.
• Steps to End Domestic Violence: This prevention and advocacy organization helps survivors of domestic violence safely transition to a new life by offering physical and emotional support.
• Savvy Ladies: This female-founded nonprofit provides financial education for women. The nonprofit also provides a 1:1 personal financial helpline that offers private, safe and secure guidance about money.