Because women have primary responsibility for the care of children, women use social safety net programs more often than men. Gender differences in safety net use cannot be fully explained by gender differences in family type. The obstacles to engaging with the safety net are often greater for single fathers than single mothers, and single mothers are more likely to receive cash and food assistance. Although some of these gender differences are rooted in differences in eligibility and could thus be straightforwardly addressed, others rest on gender norms and other cultural differences that especially stigmatize safety net use among men.