Having a baby
What to do first
- Check if you can get Medicaid or CHIP for you and your baby.
- Apply for WIC for healthy food, formula and nutrition help.
- Add your baby to your health plan soon after the birth.
- Ask for your baby's Social Security number at the hospital.
- Ask your job about leave before the baby comes.
Talk it through
Tell us more about what happened. We answer first, then show the programs that fit, then ask a few questions to narrow it down.
Dates that matter
These windows are set by federal rules. Your state may have its own dates too, so ask the agency.
60 days
Health coverage
A new baby lets you sign up for a Marketplace plan or change yours. You have 60 days after the birth, and coverage can start on the day of the birth.
Source: HealthCare.gov
Help from Connecticut
Connecticut programs that fit what happened. Each agency decides who qualifies.
Connecticut Department of Social Services
HUSKY Health
In Connecticut, Medicaid is called HUSKY A, C, and D.
HUSKY Health provides Medicaid health coverage to eligible Connecticut residents.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Connecticut Department of Social Services
HUSKY B
In Connecticut, CHIP is called HUSKY B.
HUSKY B provides health coverage to eligible children and teens.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Connecticut Department of Public Health
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
WIC provides food benefits, nutrition education, and health referrals to eligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and young children.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhoneIn person
Connecticut Department of Social Services
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SNAP helps eligible households pay for groceries each month.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Access Health CT
Qualified Health Plan Marketplace
In Connecticut, the health insurance marketplace is called Access Health CT.
Access Health CT lets residents compare and enroll in health and dental insurance plans.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Connecticut Paid Leave Authority
Connecticut Paid Family and Medical Leave
CT Paid Leave provides wage replacement to eligible workers taking leave for a qualifying family or medical reason.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhone
Connecticut Office of Early Childhood
Care 4 Kids
Care 4 Kids helps eligible families pay for child care while they work or attend approved activities.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaper
Connecticut Department of Social Services
Temporary Family Assistance
In Connecticut, TANF is called TFA.
TFA provides cash assistance to eligible families with children.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
Checked on October 8, 2026
Federal help
These work the same in every state. Each agency decides who qualifies.
SSA.gov
Your baby's Social Security number
The easiest way is at the hospital. When you give the information for the birth certificate, ask for a Social Security number too.
DOL.gov
Unpaid leave that protects your job
The Family and Medical Leave Act lets many workers take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in a year and keep their job. Reasons include a new baby, your own serious health condition, and caring for a spouse, child or parent who is seriously ill.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Head Start and Early Head Start
Free preschool, child care and family support for young children from birth to age 5 in families with low income, run by local programs.
Find a program near you with the Head Start locator and contact it to apply.
Checked on October 9, 2026
Help near you
Find county and state offices near you, or call 211 to talk to someone about help in your area.
Talk to a person
- United Way of Connecticut 211
Free help finding food, housing, bills and more near you.
Call 211 - 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 if you are in crisis or worried about someone. Any time.
Call 988Text 988