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Teen Pregnancy and Public Aid help........

Thank you. This is great info. Yes, the baby will be a welcomed addition to our family. I've already started getting the baby's room ready :) stazmatic, the situation is similar :)
I hope the ending is as good!! She is returning from NMU to attend CLC and I hope that we can help get her some grants. Like your parents, we want to provide a safe place for her and all the loving support we can, but it's not our baby to raise. She made a choice to keep it and she needs to take responsibility for it.
 
mrs.melton08 said:
Thats great that she has him to support her even if it is just right now. Has she told the dad yet? he wouldn't happen to have a job with benefits :lol: But she will have to tell the Public aid office anyway so she has to find out info about him right now.

I just want to stress not mentioning your DH's insurance. She can stay on that for some time and it will help her in the coming years as she establishes herself. Medicaid will cover all the basics for the baby, but it is not as good for adults if God forbid she needs it for something. I would also consider since she is only going to be preggo for a few more weeks letting her go through a healthy start type program for the remainder of her care for the pregnancy as they are experienced with getting her on assistance quick and can move her around through the collaborations they have with various agencies quicker. It is all kind a game where if you can get assistance in one place it opens doors in many other places. She will nto get cash benefits probably and might not qualify for food stamps and the guidlines for a baby to get medicaid are not as strict as with adults.
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Baby daddy denies it....figures, he's a punk. I will look into the health start program in our area. I want her to try and get some counseling also. There is a lot of stuff for her to take in all at once. I didn't think (or necessarily want) she would get cash or food stamps (except I guess WIC is like food stamps.) Just some help with formula and milk, stuff that would help her eat healthy. Health insurance for the baby and hopefully some help with school. We have money to help with school put aside, but not enough to help with everything. Food, diapers, college tuition, car, gas, formula, clothes...it's all so overwhelming sometimes!! :)
 
Hollah!

Was all worn out from my afternoon delight with CharlieQ ;) (kidding, I was at basketball, they won)

Allkids will want the information on if the mom is covered. They will still cover the baby (though there may be a nominal premium, based on household income) as long as the child has not been covered by insurance in the previous 12 months (in this case, child has not been). If I were her, I would apply for Allkids (can be done online), they will want her to come into the office for an appointment. So when she gets back, take her directly there (apply online first, can do so at any time).

Allkids is no longer as punitive, but they also do not buy into people being independent financially when they clearly are not (i.e. living in parent's home). Best for her to go to all DHS appointments on her own without you or DH to try to establish at least an appearance of independence.

Anyway, no great advice, just apply soon and tell the truth. They are very good at telling you how to get into benefits territory if you are outside the mark. There is a firm initiative in IL to have all children on health insurance (even if adults are not covered) regardless of household income if those children are not coverable on the adult's health insurance plan. She will have to tell them about the presumptive father and he will be listed (unless he files for and passes a paternity test) and public aid will file against him for child support whether she wants them to or not. The fact of that opens the door to visitation from the father, etc so if she does not want that, then the public aid door will be closed to her (not that that will keep him away forever if he wants visitation, if he is the father and wants visitation, he will get it, best to make peace with that now).

Congrats on the baby. It's a rough road, but a worthwhile one IMHO :)
 
Congratulations...we just went through this, although the process never got actually completed, but I can tell you what I know. DD's application asked for my and ex-dh's names and employers, but it said it was "optional" we did not provide our employers as she is 18 and "technically" an adult. They will ask her for the dad's name, SS #, employer etc. Tell them what you know, let him fight it out. If he wants to deny it he can get a paternity test.

When she goes for her first appointment, she'll get a pink sheet...its "presumptive coverage" meaning that they expect she (well the baby really I guess will be covered). The doctors/hospitals will accept this while she waits for her 'real' card to come which takes weeks. They will give her WIC coupons as well at her first visit. Try to get her appointment as soon as possible since there is usually a wait and you'll want the pink form for the baby...she'll likely deliver before her card comes.

They never asked us for financial info, BUT she didn't go to her second appointment because she was in the hospital having a procedure. I don't know if they would have gotten into the nitty gritty of the financial situation then or what.

Good luck and CONGRATULATIONS!!
 
newbee said:
Thank you. This is great info. Yes, the baby will be a welcomed addition to our family. I've already started getting the baby's room ready :) stazmatic, the situation is similar :)
I hope the ending is as good!! She is returning from NMU to attend CLC and I hope that we can help get her some grants. Like your parents, we want to provide a safe place for her and all the loving support we can, but it's not our baby to raise. She made a choice to keep it and she needs to take responsibility for it.
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I hope it ends well for all of you too!!

If it helps - this is what happened with us:
My parents paid for my car insurance, health insurance, I did not pay rent, and bought food for the house. I paid DD's health insurance, gas for the car, any co-payments of mine for the hospital and doctors, diapers, clothes, formula, baby food, and food when I was out etc.etc...
My parents enjoyed shopping for the baby and would often come home with a new toy or outfit or something miscellaneous. However, I never asked them to "go buy such and such."

My boyfriend and I moved out on our own about 18 months later. We ended up getting married and were together for about 6 years total.

They would help me with watching the baby for school or work and a very occasional night out. I also had 2 brothers and my grandmother who helped me watch her so I could work and go to school. She should try to find a job that is at a time that is convenient for you to help watch the baby (if that is okay with you.)

At CLC I was able to take tele-classes. Now she should be able to take many classes online which will make her schedule more flexible.
I know there are mixed opinions on daycare - however, I think a mother in this situation should be expected to be with her child as much as possible. I don't think daycare would be the right environment for your DD and the baby. (Flame away if you want - this is my personal opinion for young parents and since I was one I am entitled to this opinion!)

This will be culture shock for your DD. She will have no one to relate too. She will unfortunately have little in common with her friends. Try to help her through that, as I think that is the hardest part. She will have more in common with people your age than her own age. Plus, she hasn't had a lot of time to adjust to this. She may benefit from talking to someone like a counselor to help her sort through her feelings.
 
stazmatic said:
I hope it ends well for all of you too!!

If it helps - this is what happened with us:
My parents paid for my car insurance, health insurance, I did not pay rent, and bought food for the house. I paid DD's health insurance, gas for the car, any co-payments of mine for the hospital and doctors, diapers, clothes, formula, baby food, and food when I was out etc.etc...
My parents enjoyed shopping for the baby and would often come home with a new toy or outfit or something miscellaneous. However, I never asked them to "go buy such and such."

My boyfriend and I moved out on our own about 18 months later. We ended up getting married and were together for about 6 years total.

They would help me with watching the baby for school or work and a very occasional night out. I also had 2 brothers and my grandmother who helped me watch her so I could work and go to school. She should try to find a job that is at a time that is convenient for you to help watch the baby (if that is okay with you.)

At CLC I was able to take tele-classes. Now she should be able to take many classes online which will make her schedule more flexible.
I know there are mixed opinions on daycare - however, I think a mother in this situation should be expected to be with her child as much as possible. I don't think daycare would be the right environment for your DD and the baby. (Flame away if you want - this is my personal opinion for young parents and since I was one I am entitled to this opinion!)

This will be culture shock for your DD. She will have no one to relate too. She will unfortunately have little in common with her friends. Try to help her through that, as I think that is the hardest part. She will have more in common with people your age than her own age. Plus, she hasn't had a lot of time to adjust to this. She may benefit from talking to someone like a counselor to help her sort through her feelings.
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Not flamming just asking why isn't daycare the right enviroment?
 
My DS16 was in daycare since he was 1 year old... no choice when Daddy decides to be a POS and your left to support a child on your own... :9:
 
You are a great mom to be so supportive to her...best of luck in filing for assistance and congrats...nothing to add everyone else covered it!
 
I think a SAHM (or family in lieu of SAHM) is the best choice if it is a positive environment. Since that isn't always possible then finding the best daycare is critical. I'm blessed in what I have found, essentially a "grandma" type situation. Lex loves going over there (and when he's bored at home he'll ask to go over there).
 
Thank you all for your input. It really helps to get different perspective. I agree that DD should get counseling. It's a lot to process and not a lot of time to do it in. (For grandma too)

I want to help with child care as much as possible so she can work and go to school. On occasion so she can go out, but I work 2 jobs and have a 6 year old myself. :) I feel it's important for her to take as much responsibility as she can for the baby. I think it's part of my job to get her ready to move out and be independent. I feel that starts while she's still in our home, it'll be easier to fall when you have a soft place to land.
 
This is a household full of working peeps, so being able to stay at home with the baby is not in the cards for her. However, my current sitter is a SAHM that baby sits in her home. She is fantastic and I'm sure she would take the baby as DD needs her to. My son asks when he gets to go to the sitters :)
 
newbee said:
Baby daddy denies it....figures, he's a punk. I will look into the health start program in our area. I want her to try and get some counseling also. There is a lot of stuff for her to take in all at once. I didn't think (or necessarily want) she would get cash or food stamps (except I guess WIC is like food stamps.) Just some help with formula and milk, stuff that would help her eat healthy. Health insurance for the baby and hopefully some help with school. We have money to help with school put aside, but not enough to help with everything. Food, diapers, college tuition, car, gas, formula, clothes...it's all so overwhelming sometimes!! :)
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first, congrats! I never personally had to worry about public aid using my parents info, but my sister went through this. as Barb stated, she was put as a renter. they may even ask for rental receipts, you can buy those receipt books almost anywhere and just use that if they ask.
I personally have gone through public aid and the whole father denying things.... just make sure she gives them as much info as she has on him. He can deny, when they go to court for child support, he will be ordered to take a paternity test. The only thing is if it comes back as not his, then your dd will be responsible for reimbursing for the test. however he is responsible for this test first due to the denial. it doesn't surprise me he is denying it... seems like thats what usually happens. sadly.
 
regarding child care:

I am a single mother of 2 ds, and the P.O.S daddy somehow manages to get out of paying child support, even though there is an order. Anyhow, daycare was really my only option. There are plenty of daycares out there that are great, and I am a VERY proud mommy of 2 smart ds who learned so much and was prepared for school from these daycares.

it is a pita but she can apply for state aid for childcare too. she can even get a friend or family to be paid by the state, the only thing is they only pay like up to $15 for a whole day irregardless of hours watched. unlike a daycare that is licensed they pay twice that much. and they pay for her while she attends school too. you just have to find a daycare or person that accepts state aid, as when its first starting it takes sometime to get paid.
 
When I was a 16-year-old teen mom I was still in high school

DS had state insurance for a while, but then my parents insurance agreed to cover him, until I went off to college when we got state insurance for both of us (in Missouri).

While I was still in high school I had WIC, I used my pay stubs from my job at the YMCA. I dont remember how I got around them asking for my parents info, I do remember them asking.

State of IL has (or at least had) good daycare options for teen parents - Day Care Action Council I think it is called now - we paid like $5 a week or something for childcare. Parents paid for most diapers, got clothes hand me down or at garage sales/thrift shops with my money, mostly. I didnt have much money because I was still in high school and didnt have a lot of time to work.

My parents watched DS when I was working on non-daycare hours, and very rare times I'd go out with friends for a few hours.

They did let me go to prom. :) (edit : this is the perfect time to add that I went to prom with Eajacksr's son...haha....small world)

When I left for college, though, completely different story. We moved out of state. Because I was living alone and independent, I qualified for Pell Grants and took out some loans to be sure I could cover living expenses without having to work too much. I worked about 10 hours a week, besides taking 15 hrs/ semester and single parenting.

While I was in college my parents continued to pay for my car insurance, that was all, besides the occasional card with a $20 or some gas money pressed in my hand when I saw them. I still qualified for WIC but paid for all other food, diapers, clothes, rent, util, etc.

I know this child will be a blessing to your home, and you are gracious to be willing and able to help her out in whatever ways you can, while still pushing her to become the adult she must now be.
 
reporter20 said:
When I was a 16-year-old teen mom I was still in high school

DS had state insurance for a while, but then my parents insurance agreed to cover him, until I went off to college when we got state insurance for both of us (in Missouri).

While I was still in high school I had WIC, I used my pay stubs from my job at the YMCA. I dont remember how I got around them asking for my parents info, I do remember them asking.

State of IL has (or at least had) good daycare options for teen parents - Day Care Action Council I think it is called now - we paid like $5 a week or something for childcare. Parents paid for most diapers, got clothes hand me down or at garage sales/thrift shops with my money, mostly. I didnt have much money because I was still in high school and didnt have a lot of time to work.

My parents watched DS when I was working on non-daycare hours, and very rare times I'd go out with friends for a few hours. They did let me go to prom. :)

When I left for college, though, completely different story. We moved out of state. Because I was living alone and independent, I qualified for Pell Grants and took out some loans to be sure I could cover living expenses without having to work too much. I worked about 10 hours a week, besides taking 15 hrs/ semester and single parenting.

While I was in college my parents continued to pay for my car insurance, that was all, besides the occasional card with a $20 or some gas money pressed in my hand when I saw them. I still qualified for WIC but paid for all other food, diapers, clothes, rent, util, etc.

I know this child will be a blessing to your home, and you are gracious to be willing and able to help her out in whatever ways you can, while still pushing her to become the adult she must now be.
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Thank you for that Michelle. That brought tears to my eyes!! I am trying so hard to find the right way to do this. Help enough without enabling, supporting without taking over. I love her dearly and only want the best for her and the baby.
 
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