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 Maine
Maine programs that fit what happened. Each agency decides who qualifies.
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
MaineCare
In Maine, Medicaid is called MaineCare.
MaineCare provides health coverage to eligible Maine residents.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Children's Health Insurance Program
CHIP provides health coverage to eligible children who do not qualify for MaineCare.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
WIC provides food benefits and nutrition support to eligible pregnant people, infants, and young children.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhone
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
In Maine, SNAP is called Food Supplement.
Food Supplement helps eligible households buy food using an EBT card.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Maine Health Insurance Marketplace
In Maine, the health insurance marketplace is called CoverME.gov.
CoverME.gov helps Maine residents compare and enroll in individual health insurance plans.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhone
Maine Department of Labor
Paid Family and Medical Leave
Maine Paid Leave provides eligible workers paid time away from work for covered family, medical, and safety reasons.
Ways to apply:Online
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Child Care Affordability Program
CCAP helps eligible families pay part of their child care costs.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
TANF gives eligible families with children cash assistance and help with work or training.
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 Maine
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