CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WCHS) — Mckenna Zinzow is in the same situation as a lot of other parents in West Virginia.

"I'm a single mom to two boys and I literally don't have a job,” Zinzow said. “I can't get one because I don't have a babysitter."

No child care often means no work, and that means no money for school clothes. She usually depends on an annual clothing allowance from the state.

"I use it for things like school clothes and supplies,” she said. “I try to make the dollar last so I can get my sons as much stuff as they need."

Zinzow is eligible for the program because she receives food assistance benefits but said it differs for everyone.

"If you get food stamps and your child is above the age of five, I believe, and they're going into school then you automatically should qualify for it,” she said. “Some people still must apply if it doesn't go onto the food stamp card.”

The deposit has always come in on July 1, but this year no money has come in.

A parent who wished to remain anonymous spoke with Eyewitness News about the issue.

"I called the local Department of Health and Human Resources and the lady at the front desk let me know as of now, the kids clothing vouchers are on hiatus because they are federally funded and they've lost a lot of funding."

She was told to call back every week to see when she would receive hers.

The West Virginia Department of Human Resources has since released a statement saying applications for the School Clothing Allowance would open July 7.

"It's really important and I don't know if they're going to send them out this year so I'm a little bit stressed out about it,” she said. “I was really hoping that they would send them out again.”

According to a study published by West Virginia University, inflation in the state has significantly gone up, meaning higher prices for consumers. Recent funding cuts to government programs have also complicated the issue.

“There may be people who abuse the system,” Zinzow said. "But people who actually need it are never going to do something like that."

A spokesperson for DoHS relayed that unlike prior years - where certain families would automatically receive the school clothing allowance - everyone needs to apply this year.

If you'd like to apply for this year's school clothing allowance, click here, request a paper application from your local DoHS office or call 1-877-716-1212.

Applications must be received by July 31, 2025.