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 Maryland
Maryland programs that fit what happened. Each agency decides who qualifies.
Maryland Department of Health
Maryland Medical Assistance Program
Medical Assistance provides health coverage to eligible Maryland residents.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhoneIn person
Maryland Department of Health
Maryland Children's Health Program
In Maryland, CHIP is called MCHP.
MCHP provides health coverage to eligible children and pregnant people.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhoneIn person
Maryland Department of Health
Maryland WIC
WIC provides healthy food, nutrition support, and referrals for eligible pregnant people, new parents, infants, and young children.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhoneIn person
Maryland Department of Human Services
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
In Maryland, SNAP is called Food Supplement Program.
The Food Supplement Program is Maryland's name for SNAP and helps eligible households buy food with an EBT card.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Maryland Department of Health
Maryland Health Connection
In Maryland, the health insurance marketplace is called Maryland Health Connection.
Maryland Health Connection is the state's marketplace for health coverage and financial help with coverage costs.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhoneIn person
Maryland Department of Labor
Family and Medical Leave Insurance
FAMLI will provide eligible workers paid leave for qualifying family and medical needs starting in 2028.
Maryland State Department of Education
Child Care Scholarship Program
The Child Care Scholarship Program helps eligible families pay for child care.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaper
Maryland Department of Human Services
Temporary Cash Assistance
In Maryland, TANF is called TCA.
TCA gives eligible families with children temporary cash assistance and employment support.
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
- Maryland 2-1-1
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