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 Illinois
Illinois programs that fit what happened. Each agency decides who qualifies.
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Medical Assistance Program
Illinois Medicaid pays for health care for eligible residents.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services
All Kids
In Illinois, CHIP is called All Kids.
All Kids provides health coverage to eligible children in Illinois.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Illinois Department of Human Services
Women, Infants, and Children Program
WIC gives food benefits and nutrition help to eligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and children under 5.
Ways to apply:PhoneIn person
Illinois Department of Human Services
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SNAP helps eligible households pay for food using an Illinois Link card.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Illinois Department of Insurance
Get Covered Illinois
In Illinois, the health insurance marketplace is called Get Covered Illinois.
Get Covered Illinois lets residents compare and enroll in ACA health insurance plans.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhoneIn person
Illinois Department of Labor
Paid Leave for All Workers Act
The law gives most Illinois workers up to 40 hours of paid leave each year for any reason.
Ways to apply:PhonePaperIn person
Illinois Department of Human Services
Child Care Assistance Program
CCAP helps eligible families pay for child care while they work or attend school or training.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
Illinois Department of Human Services
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
TANF provides cash help to eligible families with children and pregnant people.
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 Illinois
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