broke single mother question?

Question

I'm single and pregnant. Id be doing ok if i werent expecting a baby. My annual salary is $20,000. it comes to $1,500 / month AFTER taxes. im doing ok without having a baby, but when u factor in day care and diapers, i wont be able to even afford my rent. so i feel as though my only option is to get a lower paying job so that i can get welfare assitance with day care. Anyone else in the same boat? what should i do? thanks

PS i've always worked and never gone on assitance or even gotten a food stamp. Im not the kinda person to want to do that kinda thing.

Answer 1

I think that before you give up your job and look towards assistance there are a few other things to consider. The 1st one of course would be child support. Assuming the father isn't dead your child is entitled to help from the father. 2nd in my area there are many groups that will help with diapers. If you can breast feed it will save you lots of money on formula. I would go to food banks to save money on groceries. If your job doesn't offer insurance or you do not have insurance there is a loop hole with wic no matter how much money you make. If you get on Medicaid for insurance ( they can't turn you away if you are pregnant) then you will automatically qualify for wic. They will have no choice but to provide you with milk and other food items while pregnant and formula after the baby is born. You can get baby clothes and almost everything you need at used stores and consignment shops. In most cases the father is also required to pay 75% of the child care costs. Also if you are on state aid there are daycares that charge the amout the state is willing to pay per hour. In michigan that is 2.00 a hour. Another thought that might help with the cost of diapers is this, during the day when the baby is awake a lot you should use really cheap store brand diapers. Since diapers get changed more in the day time. That way a pack of the really good diapers will last a long time for when the baby sleeps at nite. Just remember that everyone needs help sometimes and getting medicaid and wic is not the same thing as welfare. Don't be afraid to get help when you need it as long as you don't abuse the system, that is why there is a system to help when you are down.

Answer 2

I'm guessing you live in the US. Here in Canada we get a Child Tax Credit..it's like a family allowance, depending on how much money you make, the government gives you so much money per child. I'd look into that, and make sure there's nothing like that available to you. You'd probably get enough as a single parent to cover day care. Diapers will probably run you $40 a month, and if you breastfeed, you wont have to worry about formula, bottles, nipples, etc. Having a child isn't a huge amount of money at a young age, so if you can get a little assisstance like that, it may help.
And if you can't swing it and have to get assistance from welfare, so be it. That's what it's there for, to help people out who need it. You just think of people who abuse it and are users. Don't feel bad. That's what it's there for. Hopefully you wouldn't have to use it for too long.
Good luck and congrats on the baby.

Answer 3

You might be able to qualify for medicaid. There is a program called WIC... that will help you with formula. As for day care, you might be able to get some sort of assistance without quitting your job. If not, then perhaps you can check out local woman who babysit in their homes. IT is a lot cheaper that way. Diapers, well you can call around, but usually I just buy Walmart brand. They are decent and affordable. The summer is coming up, you can go to garage sales and get your baby a lot of clothes for cheap. Also try the salvation army or goodwill for good used baby clothes. By the way, personally, I have never met abyone who could afford a baby. You just do it. Cut out extras, cable, cell phone, internet connection if you have too. You will find a way. Good luck.

Answer 4

There may be ways around having to get a lower paying job to take care of your family.

You can get a subsidy for daycare even if you do not meet the requirements for cash assistance. Contact your local aid office to see if you qualify. If you contact your local vocational school, they may have reduced rate daycare. I've even heard of daycare available for lower income families where there is an exchange of work for daycare (you put in so many hours at the daycare and you get a lower rate). It's just something to think about. Also talk with your human resources department/person. They may have an arrangement with a daycare facility as part of an employee benefit.

You will probably also qualify for WIC for yourself now, and for your child when he/she is born. That can be very helpful.

My husband adds: Once the child is born change your deduction exemptions for both state and federal tax from single or zero to two. This should give you about $50 a pay period (maybe a bit more) extra in each paycheck. You should have an extra $2000+/- as a deduction when you file your taxes for each year you have your child.

Whatever you do, keep your head up high. If you end up having to get a lower paying job in order to take care of yourself and your child, be proud that you ARE taking care of your family.

Good luck.

Answer 5

I was just informed of a childcare grant, but I don't know if that applies in your state. Check with your local child care association. Also, check for other programs that are designated to single moms like you, like WIC. Your taxes will change once your baby comes, so that will give you a tiny break. There are other ways to pinch pennies here and there. Make some good investments now, like perhaps cloth diapers while you're at home (daycares aren't too fond of them) and a breast pump (breastfeeding can save you about $1000 per year). Get clothes at garage sales or second-hand stores, or find someone who's baby is about a year older than yours and ask to borrow their baby things. Most likely they still have their crib and clothes, things like that.

Answer 6

Perhaps you can find a good room mate to help split costs.
THe little rent they could pay you would be a little help..to get food stamps or assitance would cause the state to go after dad. not really a bad thing. Dont feel less should you need a little help. It is better to work from home, if you could. Buying products and sell on ebay for double the price, i dont know...i am looking to make a product or something to sell online. save gas, dont pay a sitter...dont know if this helps

Answer 7

Where is the father of the baby? Get child support and that will help and you make plenty of money to survive. Start now and buy all things you will need like diapers each time you get paid, onsies, blankets with each check. Have you tried to apply for help.. like wic at least. I am assuming you have insurance, but you can apply for medicaid to have as a 2ndary insurance. There are many things you can get assistance with and do not be ashamed about it. Being single is tough.. but you can do it. But if you start buying something each time you are paid.. you will not need much after the baby is born. That is what I have done. Keep your head up!! You will be fine!!!!

Answer 8

I'm a single mom. I make the same amount of money you do and have managed to pay of a house, I own two vehicles, and have a little money for extra. My suggestion is start buying diapers in all sizes now along with formula and all the other things babies need. Also, you may still qualify for child care assistance, and I strongly reccomend hitiing up the father for child support. Your state's department of Human resources or the equivalent should be able to get a child support order for you at little or no cost.

Answer 9

Please don't feel bad if you have to ask for government assistance because you are not trying to abuse it. These options might not work, but here are a couple of suggestions:
Move to a place with cheaper rent, if possible, of course you may be tied up in a lease...Find a job that offers on-site daycare or allows you to take your baby to work...Apply for WIC - it will help you with groceries, and once the baby arrives, with formula...Taking the baby to a public health clinic as opposed to a private Pediatrician - that will help you with costs of routine visits and immunizations....We once lived in a duplex that included utilities with the rent, and once in an apartment that furnished the water. Best of luck to you and your baby.

Answer 10

When my first child was 16 months old her father left me. Every single utility and rent was due. He had moved us out to live int eh boonies-even our mail box was 1/2 mile down the road. So I feel for you, but you CAN do it. Most places have a child care assistance type thing. I would have been completely lost without the one here. They paid most of the cost of my daughter's daycare. You sound like a really strong woman and I admire you for trying to find a way to make things work.