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 Rhode Island
Rhode Island programs that fit what happened. Each agency decides who qualifies.
Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Medical Assistance
Rhode Island Medicaid provides health coverage to eligible residents.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
HealthSource RI
Children's Health Insurance Program
In Rhode Island, CHIP is called RIte Care.
RIte Care provides Medicaid-funded health coverage to eligible children and families.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
Rhode Island Department of Human Services and Rhode Island Department of Health
Women, Infants, and Children
Also: WIC
WIC provides food benefits, nutrition support, and referrals to eligible pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and young children.
Ways to apply:PhoneIn person
Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SNAP helps eligible households pay for food.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
HealthSource RI
HealthSource RI Marketplace Coverage
In Rhode Island, the health insurance marketplace is called HealthSource RI.
HealthSource RI is Rhode Island's marketplace for comparing and enrolling in health coverage.
Ways to apply:OnlinePhonePaperIn person
Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
Temporary Caregiver Insurance
TCI provides partial wage replacement when eligible workers take leave to care for a seriously ill family member or bond with a child.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaper
Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Child Care Assistance Program
CCAP helps eligible families pay for child care while they work, train, or attend an eligible college program.
Ways to apply:OnlinePaperIn person
Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Rhode Island Works
In Rhode Island, TANF is called RI Works.
RI Works provides cash and employment support to eligible families with children.
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
- United Way of Rhode Island 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