There's no special loan category "for single mothers": funders evaluate your business, your sales and your credit, and federal law (the Equal Credit Opportunity Act) prohibits lenders from discriminating based on marital status. The best options for a mom who owns a business are Merchant Fund Express, if you already have sales and need capital quickly even with imperfect credit; an SBA microloan, if you're starting out or need a small amount; Accion Opportunity Fund, if you've been in business 2+ years; Bluevine, if you want a line of credit for slow months; and OnDeck, if you have good credit and a year in business.
This guide isn't about free money. It focuses on loans and financing you can actually apply for today, how to build your file on a single household income, and how to choose without putting your family's stability at risk.
Key takeaways
- There are no official "single mother" loans; your business is what gets evaluated, and the law bars discrimination based on marital status.
- An SBA microloan goes up to $50,000, and many microlenders include coaching.
- Revenue-based financing accepts lower credit and is usually the fastest option.
- Accion Opportunity Fund offers coaching in English and Spanish for businesses with 2+ years.
- Size your maximum payment to your worst months, not your best ones.
- Be wary of anyone who charges you upfront to find you money.
What really matters when you're a mom and a business owner
Being a single mother is neither a requirement nor an obstacle on an application, but it does shape your finances in ways a funder will notice:
- One household income. If your business covers your personal bills, the funder may see frequent owner draws. That's normal; what matters is that business deposits stay consistent.
- Credit that took a hit. A separation or a rough stretch can leave behind debt or late payments. Some products accept lower credit if your sales are strong.
- Limited time. You're raising kids and running a business. A months-long process with in-person meetings may not be realistic, so speed and online applications matter.
- A thin cushion. Without savings, a debt with high daily payments can squeeze you. Choose payments that still fit in a slow week.
One practical tip before you borrow anything: build a small emergency fund, even a modest one, so a sick child or a week you can't work doesn't make you miss a payment. Also think about who can cover the business if you have to step away. Funders won't ask you about this, but it's what protects your credit and your peace of mind most once you carry debt.
For options aimed at women business owners in general, see the best business loans for women.
How we chose these options
We don't use numeric ratings. We compare every option on the same criteria, explained in how we rank business funding options: speed, minimum time in business, minimum credit, ITIN acceptance versus SSN only, documents, amounts and collateral. For this list we gave extra weight to two things that matter when you support a family alone: no collateral required in most cases, so you don't put your home or car on the line, and coaching or a simple process. Competitor details were checked on their official sites in October 2026.
The best business loans for single mothers
Merchant Fund Express (recommended funder). Best for: moms whose business already sells and who need capital fast without collateral. It reviews your sales and deposits, not just your credit, and accepts FICO 500+, which helps if your credit suffered after a separation or a stretch on one income. Amounts run from $5,000 to $5,000,000, decisions often come in 2 to 4 hours, and collateral isn't required in most cases. Applying is free with no impact to your credit, it accepts applicants with an ITIN (no SSN needed), and it offers Spanish-speaking support.
SBA microloan. Best for: starting or growing with a small amount, with coaching included. The SBA funds nonprofit community organizations that lend up to $50,000, with an average of about $13,000 according to sba.gov. Beyond the money, many offer technical and management help, which is valuable if you're learning to run the books on your own. Microloans can't be used to pay existing debts or buy real estate.
Accion Opportunity Fund. Best for: businesses with 2+ years that want a CDFI loan with one-on-one support. According to its site, checked October 2026, it lends up to $250,000 with terms up to 36 months, no prepayment penalty, and one-on-one coaching in English and Spanish. It requires at least 2 years in business, $300,000+ in annual revenue, 20% ownership, and owners who are citizens or permanent residents.
Bluevine (line of credit). Best for: LLCs or corporations with 12 months that want a cushion for slow months. Its line goes up to $250,000 and you pay only on what you draw. According to its site, it requires $10,000 in monthly revenue, a 625+ FICO, 12 months in business and a corporation or LLC; it accepts an SSN or ITIN plus an EIN. A line like this covers slow weeks without a new loan every time.
OnDeck (term loan). Best for: businesses with a year in operation, good credit and $100,000 in annual revenue. According to its site, its term loans range from $5,000 to $400,000 with terms up to 24 months and daily or weekly payments. It requires 1 year in business, $100,000 in annual revenue, a business checking account and a 625 personal FICO.
Quick comparison
| Option | Amounts | Minimum time | Minimum credit | Useful extra |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MFE | $5,000 to $5,000,000 | Reviews sales and deposits | FICO 500+ | Spanish-speaking support; ITIN accepted; no collateral in most cases |
| SBA microloan | Up to $50,000 | Set by the microlender | Set by the microlender | Coaching at many organizations |
| Accion Opportunity Fund | Up to $250,000 | 2 years | No fixed published minimum | Coaching in English and Spanish |
| Bluevine (line) | Up to $250,000 | 12 months | 625 | Accepts ITIN plus EIN |
| OnDeck (term) | $5,000 to $400,000 | 1 year | 625 | Daily or weekly payments |
If you're starting from zero, a microloan is almost always the first step. If your business already sells consistently and you need the money soon, revenue-based financing is more realistic. If you've been at it for years with higher revenue, a CDFI like Accion Opportunity Fund usually costs less.
How to prepare your application on one income
- Separate your accounts. Open an account just for the business and deposit every sale there. Your bank statements are your best introduction.
- Clean up your credit. Pull your free reports, dispute errors and catch up where you can. Even with options from 500, better credit brings better offers.
- Figure out your maximum payment. Look at your worst months of the year and decide what you could pay even in those weeks, after rent, food and childcare.
- Write down what the money is for. "Buy a second machine to take more orders" or "hire a helper to serve more clients" is more convincing than "working capital."
- Gather your documents. ID, SSN or ITIN, EIN, business documents and 3 to 6 months of bank statements.
- Compare at least two offers. Look at the total cost in plain words, how often payments come out, and what happens if you pay early.
Whether your business is a home daycare, a salon, an online shop or a cleaning service, the logic is the same: the funder wants to see sales that repeat. For smaller-dollar options built for women, see microloans for women-owned businesses.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using personal cards for the business. It mixes your finances and can damage the credit you need for your home or car.
- Pledging personal collateral without understanding it. If you're asked to put up your house, think about your kids before you agree.
- Paying for "special programs for single moms." Be wary of anyone who charges you upfront to find you a loan or free money.
- Borrowing more than you need. Every extra dollar costs something, and a high payment takes away your peace of mind.
- Choosing on speed alone. If you can wait a few weeks, a cheaper option may save you a lot.
Prefer Spanish? Leer en español. And if your business already has steady sales and you need capital soon, you can apply with Merchant Fund Express; it's free and won't affect your credit.
Frequently asked questions
Are there special business loans for single mothers?
Not as an official category. Funders evaluate the business, its sales and the owner's credit, and the Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits discrimination based on marital status. What does exist are options that fit your situation better, like microloans with coaching, CDFIs and revenue-based financing that accepts lower credit.
Can a single mom with bad credit get a business loan?
It's possible. Revenue-based financing reviews your deposits, and the funder we recommend accepts credit from 500. Community microlenders also look beyond your score. The steadier your sales, the better your options, even if your credit isn't perfect.
Which loan makes sense if I'm just starting my business?
An SBA microloan is usually the first step: it goes up to $50,000, can be used for working capital, inventory or equipment, and many microlenders include coaching. Most online loans require at least a year in business, so your options are more limited at the start.
Does child support count as income for a business loan?
Business loans are based mainly on the business's income, not your personal income. What carries the most weight is your sales and your business bank statements. Personal loans can work differently, so ask each lender directly.
Will they ask for my house as collateral?
It depends on the product. Banks and some larger loans may ask for collateral. Revenue-based financing doesn't require collateral in most cases, though it usually asks for a personal guarantee. If you're asked to pledge your home, weigh the risk to your family and talk to an accountant before you sign.