Expecting a baby brings joy, but financial strain can cause anxiety and stress.
Mothers often face extra medical bills and lost income while getting ready to feed, clothe, and house their newborns.
You may need extra money to cover baby-related expenses but don’t know where to turn.
Follow our guide for options: pros and cons of emergency loans; government benefits to lower costs or replace income, indirect grants, and private charities.
Find key support and empower yourself during your pregnancy.
Loans During Pregnancy
Personal loans can help pregnant mothers cover emergency expenses like medical bills, car repairs, or new baby furniture. Borrowing money while expecting has pros and cons, so be careful.
Private lenders act fast. If approved, you could have cash in days for urgent needs.
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Ensure a fast answer by having the following information ready.
- Employer name and phone number
- Driver license number
- Social Security number
- Bank account and routing number
- Total balance of unsecured debt
- An estimate of your credit score range
Be careful about borrowing money while pregnant. You must repay the loan with interest and need a steady income. Some laws may protect your job and earnings.
Pregnancy Discrimination Act
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act (PDA) helps mothers repay loans by prohibiting job discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.
The PDA protects your income in several ways.
- It prevents employers from refusing to hire or promote you.
- It requires reasonable accommodations such as modified schedules.
- It ensures access to ongoing health insurance coverage.
A personal loan is riskier if you are self-employed or work for a small business. You might fall behind on payments and hurt your credit record if you lose your job. The PDA applies to employers with fifteen or more workers.
Maternity Leave Laws
Maternity leave laws help pregnant mothers repay their loans on time. Federal and state laws offer women job and health insurance protections during their time off.
- The federal Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) offers twelve weeks of job and health insurance protections to eligible parents working for covered employers.
- State family leave laws sometimes extend FMLA legal rights. More parents may be eligible, and more employers covered for longer than twelve weeks.
An emergency loan is riskier if you do not have these job protections. Roughly 40% of mothers have no legal rights. Find out which group you are in before ruining your credit score for seven years.
Government Assistance Programs
The government offers financial help to pregnant mothers through many programs. Federal agencies set up the framework and fund the benefits with grants to the states.
Benefits are better than loans because you do not have to repay the money. But government processes can be slow, so be patient.
Federal Programs
The federal government targets most financial assistance programs at low-income households. Pregnant women often qualify because unborn babies count as family members, and their future earnings will be lower.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program for low-income households that helps pay for medical expenses like prenatal care, labor and delivery, and infant pediatrician services.
Qualifying for pregnancy Medicaid is pivotal. With this coverage, you may qualify for other government programs.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) manages Medicaid. The Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is a key qualifier that compares income to household size. Avoid these mistakes when applying.
- Do not under-report your household members. Include your unborn baby, spouse, and all dependents.
- Do not over-report income. Include your future earnings, which may reflect at least twelve weeks of unpaid maternity leave. Exclude child support payments.
TANF
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) provides monetary aid to families with dependent children. It helps pay for food, shelter, utilities, and other expenses.
Apply for TANF through your local agency, not at the federal level. The Office of Family Assistance (OFA) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services oversees the program nationwide.
WIC
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) can help working moms with groceries if pregnant, breastfeeding, or caring for offspring up to age five and at nutritional risk.
Find a local WIC provider on this webpage. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) manages WIC nationwide.
Childcare
Employed mothers often qualify for Childcare Assistance Programs, such as subsidies, vouchers, Early Head Start, prekindergarten, and military fee assistance.
Find the local resources on this website. The Office of Child Care (OCC) in the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) manages these programs nationwide.
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or Food Stamps, lowers grocery bills. Use a pre-filled debit card to buy fruits, vegetables, and proteins for a healthy diet. Pregnant women need extra nourishment.
Find a local SNAP agency on this webpage. The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) manages SNAP nationwide.
LIHEAP
The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can help pay for gas, oil, and electricity. Staying warm in the winter and cool in the summer leads to a comfortable and healthy pregnancy.
Find a local LIHEAP provider on this webpage. The HHS’s Administration for Children and Families manages LIHEAP.
Section 8
The Section 8 Housing Choices voucher program helps low-income families afford a decent, safe place to live. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers the program.
State-run public housing agencies operate the Section 8 vouchers locally. Pregnant mothers qualify more easily because their household size will increase.
Apply by contacting your local public housing agency.
State Programs
Pregnant mothers often qualify for state government assistance programs. Each state has unique rules, so benefits vary based on where you live or work.
Temporary Disability
State-required temporary disability insurance provides income support when you cannot work due to illness or accident. Pregnant mothers often use this benefit in three ways.
- Taking leave before birth because of medical complications.
- Recovering from labor and delivery during childbirth.
- Dealing with postpartum medical complications that delay returning to work.
Only nine states cover temporary disabilities: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Washington. You must work in one of these states to qualify. Benefits vary by state.
Paid Leave
State governments mandate paid family leave to support income when parents stop working to bond with their babies. Benefits start after childbirth.
Only eight states have paid family leave programs: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Washington.
Unemployment Insurance
State governments manage unemployment insurance programs funded by payroll taxes. Unemployment benefits support workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.
Collecting unemployment during maternity leave rarely works. You must meet four universal criteria to qualify.
- Being without a job.
- Being physically able to work.
- Being available for employment.
- Actively seeking a new job.
If laid off, you can file for unemployment while pregnant if you continue to meet these four rules.
Grants for Pregnant Women
Pregnant women are unlikely to find government grants they can apply to directly. Federal agencies send funds to states, universities, and non-profit organizations to foster public good.
As noted above, mothers can apply for cash assistance through the grant recipients. Below are more examples of programs.
Pregnancy Assistance Fund
The Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF) no longer exists. The PAF was a competitive grant program the Office of Population Affairs ran. Funding went to states and tribes.
Authorizations and appropriations for PAF ceased at the end of the 2019 fiscal year. Therefore, this resource is no longer available. There is no application to complete.
You can read about the history of PAF here.
Title V
The Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant Program, operated by the Health Resources & Services Administration, supports the well-being of the nation’s mothers and children.
“Title V funds go to state agencies to improve public health systems for mothers, children, and families. Mothers cannot apply for this grant directly.
Find out more about the Title V program here.
Pell Grants
Pell grants support low-income students pursuing an undergraduate college education. The money can be used for tuition, textbooks, and other schooling expenses.
The Department of Education administers Pell Grants with criteria favoring unwed pregnant mothers. Students must show exceptional financial need to qualify.
Learn more about Pell Grants here.
Private Assistance Programs
Many private organizations offer assistance to pregnant mothers. Some may receive government grants, while many non-profits rely on donors.
Housing Help
Many non-profit and faith-based organizations provide housing help to pregnant women. Charities can assist with living arrangements.
Most of these organizations serve small areas, but some have offices nationwide. You may need to search locally.
- Socialserve: Nationwide bilingual call center
- Covenant House: Nationwide (search name and location)
- Catholic Charities: Nationwide (search name and location)
- The Salvation Army: Nationwide (search name and location)
- After Hours Ministry: publishes an extensive listing for California
- Home-Start: San Diego, California
- Precious Life Shelter: Los Alamitos, California
- Saint Ann’s: Hyattsville, Maryland
- Birth Haven: Newton, New Jersey
- Bright Hope Centers: Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Pennsylvania
Medical Help
Many faith-based charities operate clinics nationwide. Their mission is to promote sexual health and help women choose life for their babies.
Care Net publishes a list of affiliated pregnancy resource centers. Use the directory to find a local clinic offering free services.
- 1st-trimester ultrasound to confirm pregnancy
- STD testing to rule out risky infections
- Referrals to sliding-scale clinics for prenatal care
- Post-abortion mental health recovery
