Can I claim head of household if I have had 3 grandchildren living with me the entire year of 2023, yet it is saying that I must file as single?

[bran503641]

I am a retired widow ( husband passing away before 2020)

[xmasbaby0]

If you are supporting your grandchildren then you should be able to claim them as qualifying dependents and file Head of Household.   You start out filing Single, but when you enter the dependents, it should offer you HOH filing status.   Are you leaving something out here?  Are the children being claimed by someone else---a parent?

Am I Head of Household?

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/1894553-do-i-qualify-for-head-of-household

https://ttlc.intuit.com/questions/2900097-what-is-a-qualifying-person-for-head-of-household

If you qualify as Head of Household, when you enter your marital status (single or married filing separately) into MyInfo, and then enter your qualifying dependent, TurboTax will offer HOH as your filing status.

To claim a grandchild as your dependent

When you enter the child’s name in My Info, you will be asked “What’s your relationship to  [child’s name]?”  

           Choose “another person”

            a drop down menu will appear that lets you choose grandchild

[xmasbaby0]

Another thing, though.....you mention that you are a "retired widow."   If you do not have any income from working, you will not be eligible to receive child-related credits like earned income or child tax credit.  Those credits are based on having income from a W-2 job or self-employment.