Financial Assistance for Pregnant Women, Mothers and Children

Pregnancy can be a very stressful time physically, emotionally, and financially. There are many extra expenses related to your care, prenatal care, preparing for a new baby, and then the care of the baby. There are many financial aid and other programs available for women who need assistance. State and local health departments, community free clinics, state child welfare offices and other organizations offer financial and medical help.

After your baby is born, health insurance can also be available. This insurance program benefits children under age 18 who do not have insurance. WIC is a special nutritional program that can also help you and your child. You may also want to consider the Head Start program  for after your baby is born by clicking on the link Search for a Headstart Program.

Remember, you are not alone or without resources.  Help is available for you and your baby. Please review the resources below and  don't forget to check out your yellow and blue pages in your local telephone directory and contact your local places of worship (any and all denominations) and ask for help.  Additionally, look under the blue pages of your telephone directory for help including local hospitals and community clinics.  For additional information about your pregnancy and for additional help, please visit the website Pregnancy And Children.

Birth Mother Resources is a website that can help any woman who wants to know more about her pregnancy, about raising her child herself, or about placing the child for adoption with a loving family.

Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is designed for families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid, yet cannot afford to buy private insurance for their children. CHIP coverage provides eligible children with coverage for a full range of health services including regular checkups, immunizations, prescription drugs, lab tests, X-rays, hospital visits and more.

Child Support Enforcement Steps  is a publication listing the steps for applying for and collecting child support.

Drug Prescription Assistance Programs provide free or low-cost medications to low-income individuals and families.

Free Medical/Dental Clinics provides you with information about free clinics. 

Government Benefit Programs is an excellent website for finding government programs to help you and your child. Simply go to the site, fill out the questionnaire and the site will list all the national government programs for which you qualify. Additionally, information on financial aid and other U.S. government benefits are listed by agency and subject matter on the U.S. Government benefit website.

Food Stamps and Other Nutrition Programs provides information on the Federal food stamp program including eligibility, where to apply for food stamps and other federal nutrition programs such as WIC. For your state program, please click on the link Food Stamps.

Health Insurance information for pregnant women, birth mothers and their children.

InsureKidsNow benefits children under the age of 18 who do not have insurance.

Medicaid Programs can help you If you are not able to afford to pay for medical care.

NurturingNetwork.org offers help with medical and financial assistance, nurturing homes, educational programs, adoption, and preparation for parenthood.

Pregnancy And Children is a comprehensive website that can help any woman who wants to know more about her pregnancy, about the child she has delivered or may give birth to in the near future, about raising her child, and about her other options.

Prescription Drug Assistance programs provide prescription drug assistance to women who are not covered by Medicaid. Additionally, many drug companies will work with your doctor or health care provider to supply free medicines to those in need. 

Reduced Cost Health Care at Hospitals: Hill-Burton facilities are hospitals and nursing homes that have received money from the federal government and now must provide a certain amount of free or reduced-cost health services every year to those who cannot pay. You may apply for Hill-Burton assistance at any time before or after you receive care by simply asking for Hill-Burton assistance. To obtain a list of Hill-Burton facilities in your area or for more information on the Hill-Burton program and how to get free or reduced-cost health care go to www.hrsa.gov.

State Child Welfare/Health and Human Services Agency can help you with issues of pregnancy, financial and medical care, parenting and foster care.

State and local health departments can tell you what programs are available in your area. Ask about health insurance, medical care, and how to qualify for this help.

Tax Credits, Exemptions, and Refunds:  Many states have their own Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Child Care Credit and Dependent Care Credit. You may be able to file for these credits on both in your state and federal taxes. Last year over 600,000 families did not take advantage of $238 million in tax refunds for Child Tax Credit. 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA), created by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service offers free tax help to low- to moderate- income (generally, $39,000 and below) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns.

WIC the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children: WIC provides nutritious foods, nutrition counseling, and referrals to health and other social services to participants at no charge. WIC serves low- Income pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, and infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk.

WIC Overseas, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children for those U.S. citizen living overseas: This is the same program as described above (WIC) except it is for U.S. citizen's living outside of the U.S.  Members of the Armed Forces, civilian employees, and Department of Defense contractors living overseas and their family members may be eligible to participate in the WIC Overseas program.

Women's Government Health offers financial aid and help related to a woman's pregnancy, prenatal care, preparing for a new baby, and the care of the baby.