Pregnancy can be a massive change in a woman’s life and costly. However, there are many financial options available to help with pregnancy expenses.
One option is to seek help from charitable organizations. These organizations can provide counseling, shelter, meals, and more to pregnant women who need them.
Medicaid
For low-income families, the Medicaid program provides health insurance. It can be beneficial for pregnant women who don’t have any other options for coverage.
Medicaid was created in 1965 as a way for states to help people with limited resources receive health care. It is a federal-state partnership with matching funds.
To qualify for Medicaid, an individual must meet certain income and resource limits. These limits vary from state to state.
Generally, an individual’s modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is considered. Some states allow an individual to “spend down” the amount of their income above the state’s Medicaid limit, which may lower it to the level required to qualify for Medicaid.
A woman can also ask her church or other religious organization for assistance during pregnancy and postpartum. These organizations offer various services, such as prenatal and postpartum counseling and referrals to other support programs.
TANF
If you are pregnant and facing financial struggles, you may be able to get financial support for pregnant mothers Kansas through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The TANF program is a federal block grant funded by the government but administered by each state. TANF is designed to help low-income families pay for essentials such as food, clothing, shelter, and utilities.
TANF replaced the Aid for Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) in 1996 as part of Welfare Reform. Before this, AFDC provided cash assistance to all families with minor dependent children.
TANF funds are divided into four purposes: to provide cash assistance, support work, promote child well-being, and prevent deep poverty. The four purposes are broad enough to allow states to divert TANF funds into areas beyond their original intended use, such as child care and employment programs.
Cash Grants
Many low-income pregnant mothers qualify for various cash grants that cover the basics of daily living. Food stamps, WIC, TANF, and even the housing voucher program are all options that can be applied for through your local government welfare office.
In addition to government assistance programs, many nonprofit and faith-based charities help expectant mothers. They often have distribution centers where pregnant women and their families can pick up free baby items such as diapers, clothing, bedding, and cribs.
New moms also have access to free pregnancy clinics that do not charge for services. These clinics are provided by nonprofit and faith-based organizations in many states nationwide.
Charities
There are a few different charities that help pregnant mothers around the world. Some are dedicated to ensuring all women access reproductive health services, while others are working to improve pregnancy and childbirth outcomes for mothers and babies.
Every Mother Counts is an international nonprofit making pregnancy safer for women worldwide by raising awareness, finding solutions and mobilizing action. Their mission is to strengthen provider and health system capacity, advance proven models of care and place women at the center of this critical conversation.
Planned Parenthood is a fantastic charity helping improve the lives of pregnant and postpartum women across the United States. They offer needy mothers reproductive healthcare, parenting education, and social support.
Another great charity is NYC Mammas Give Back, a nonprofit organization that provides essentials for newborn and young families in need throughout New York City. They send care packages to new moms, including diapers, wipes, baby clothing, and other items.