Government Programs and Benefits for Your Family

Parents cuddling their baby

Did you know that having a baby means that you and your family might qualify for special government benefits, resources, and even protections?

Here are just some of the things parents may be able to receive:

  • Additional medical coverage for you and/or your child.
  • Financial and housing assistance.
  • Help buying nutritious food.
  • Workplace protections, including family leave and breaks for pumping milk.
  • Child care.
  • Tax benefits, including new qualifying deductions on your tax return.
  • Support from your local community.

Housing Assistance

It can be a challenge to find safe and affordable housing for your family. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) works with local housing agencies to help eligible families find housing.

Food Assistance

Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

The WIC program helps provide nutritious foods, information on how to eat healthy, and referrals for health care. Women, infants, and children up to age five may qualify. WIC benefits are available to women during and after their pregnancy and include breastfeeding support.

To be eligible for WIC, you must meet WIC requirements. Immigration status does not affect your eligibility to receive WIC benefits. To find out if you may be eligible for WIC:

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP helps families buy nutritious food with an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, similar to a debit card. SNAP can help you and your family eat right when money is tight.

To be eligible for SNAP, you must meet SNAP requirements in the state where you currently live. Each state has its own application form. To apply for benefits or get information about SNAP:

Health Care Coverage

Medicaid and CHIP

Many families and children qualify for health care coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Medicaid and CHIP coverage and eligibility vary by state. For example, many states allow women to be covered by Medicaid for 12 months after having a baby. To see if you or your child may be eligible or to apply for health coverage:

If you and your child are currently enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP, you may need to prepare for the renewal process. Make sure to:

  • Update your contact information with your state Medicaid office.
  • Check your mail for a renewal letter.
  • Complete your renewal form (if you get one).

Private Health Insurance

Having a baby is a major life event and may qualify you for a special enrollment period if you need to enroll in or change your health plan. Visit HealthCare.gov for more information.

Child Care

Finding the right child care can be complicated. There’s a lot of information to think about and it may feel overwhelming at times.

  • Head Start programs deliver services to children and families in core areas of early learning, health, and family well-being. They also engage parents as partners every step of the way.
  • Follow these simple steps to guide your child care search and make sure you have all the information you need to make the best choice for your child.
  • Visit each setting in person to make sure the program is the right fit for your child. Use the Look, Listen, and Ask tip sheets to help you learn more about the program.

Paying for quality child care can also be difficult. The cost of child care is often the biggest part of a family’s budget. If you need help paying for child care:

Workplace Protections

Protections against Discrimination

You have protections against discrimination if you become pregnant, give birth, or have a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth. In general, this means you cannot be fired, rejected for a job or promotion, given lesser assignments, forced to take leave, or otherwise disciplined because of a pregnancy.

  • Pregnancy discrimination may also occur when an employer has policies or practices that exclude people from certain jobs because they could become pregnant.
  • If you are temporarily unable to perform your job due to a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, your employer must treat you in the same way other temporarily disabled workers would be treated.

The Right to Pump at Work

Most employees have the right to break time to pump and a private place to pump at work under the PUMP for Nursing Mothers Act (“PUMP Act”).

Learn more about workplace protections in your state.

Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnant Workers

Sometimes your pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition makes it harder for you to do your job. There is a law that says you can ask your employer for a change at work to make it possible for you to perform your job. These types of changes are called reasonable accommodations.

Some examples of possible reasonable accommodations include:

  • Extra or more flexible breaks to drink water, eat, rest, or use the restroom
  • Changing food or drink policies to allow for a water bottle or food
  • Changing equipment, devices, or workstations, such as providing a stool to sit on
  • Changing a uniform or dress code or providing safety equipment that fits
  • Changing a work schedule, such as having shorter hours, part-time work, a later start time, or allowing telework
  • Temporary reassignment or temporary suspension of one or more essential functions of a job
  • Time off for health care appointments or to recover from childbirth
  • Help with lifting or other manual labor

Learn more about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

Financial Relief

Tax Credits

The Child Tax Credit helps families with qualifying children get a tax break. You may be able to claim the credit even if you don’t normally file a tax return. There are other tax credits if you pay someone else to care for your child so you can work or if you have adopted a child. 

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

This program can help your family pay for home energy costs. Depending on where you live, you could get help with your energy bills, home insulation, energy emergencies and more.

Content created by Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs (IEA)
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