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 Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania programs that fit what happened. Each agency decides who qualifies.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Medical Assistance
Medical Assistance helps eligible residents pay for health care.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Children's Health Insurance Program
CHIP provides health coverage for eligible children who do not qualify for Medical Assistance.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaper
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
WIC provides eligible pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and young children with food and nutrition support.
Ways to apply:PhoneIn person
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SNAP helps eligible households buy food.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Pennie
Pennie Health Insurance Marketplace
In Pennsylvania, the health insurance marketplace is called Pennie.
Pennie is Pennsylvania's official marketplace for individual health and dental coverage.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Child Care Works
Child Care Works helps eligible families pay for child care while parents work or attend training or school.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
In Pennsylvania, TANF is called Cash Assistance.
Cash Assistance provides temporary financial help to eligible families with children.
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
- PA 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