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 Idaho
Idaho programs that fit what happened. Each agency decides who qualifies.
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Idaho Medicaid
Idaho Medicaid helps eligible residents pay for health care.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Children's Health Insurance Program
CHIP provides health coverage for eligible children in Idaho.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Women, Infants, and Children
In Idaho, WIC is called Idaho WIC.
WIC provides nutrition support and food benefits to eligible pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and children under five.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhoneIn person
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SNAP helps eligible Idaho households buy food.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Your Health Idaho
Idaho Health Insurance Marketplace
In Idaho, the health insurance marketplace is called Your Health Idaho.
Your Health Idaho helps residents compare and enroll in private health insurance plans.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhone
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Idaho Child Care Program
ICCP helps eligible working families pay part of their child care costs.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
Temporary Assistance for Families in Idaho
In Idaho, TANF is called TAFI.
TAFI provides monthly cash assistance to eligible low-income families.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn 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
- 211 Idaho CareLine
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