Triplets... gov't assistance... company sponsorships... etc.?

Question

Just found out this past Friday we're expecting triplets!! Completely SPONTANEOUS TRIPLETS!! Who would have thunk. I'm still reeling from the news. I'm honestly too stunned to speak. We currently have a 2 year old. I happen to be a twin (and my twin sister had twins 9 years ago..) so I can't be all that surprised with the triplet news.. although it is still overwhelming. Gotta view it as a blessing even though I want to crawl under my desk here at work and curl up in a ball if I stop and think about it too much.

Some questions:

- Gov't assistance? Does such a thing exist for triplets?? I am currently the primary bread winner between my husband and I. We live a VERY modest lifestyle in a VERY small condo...

- Company sponsorships... do diaper companies, etc. still do this type thing? I get the feeling that these days since so many triplets come from fertility treatments that companies are less willing to assist folks.

Any responses would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Anyone can be on welfare, it is not just limited to single birth children. You of course have to meet certain income guidelines for your state.

My guess is no on the company sponsorships. Too many people have multiples these days and unless your number is rare (like the sextuplets, septuplets) I don't think they would be knocking down your door with free vans.

So, it looks like welfare or a lot of good ole honest hard work is what your looking at.

Good Luck and congrats.

Answer 2

Yes, there is still a lot of assistance to families with multiples out there, contrary to many answers above me. In the book "What to Expect When You Are Expecting" there is a nice list of companies who offer assistance and the requirements and contact info. I have the book at home, and will be happy to update this with the ones that would apply to you. Another thing you can do is contact your local churches (weather or not you attend or believe) and most will be more than willing to offer some kind of help. Having 1 baby is hard enough financially, let alone 3 at a time plus a 2 year old. I am sure there are plenty of companies and privite sources that would help you. Also, you say you live in a condo. Try contacting the condo board, or what ever you have, and make an announcement. They may do something as well. I wish you the best of luck, and congrats!

Edit: I can not seem to find my book, as I have not needed it in some time. If you have a copy, great. If noy try the library or the local bookstore where they don't mind if you read the book while you are there if you don't want to buy one. Look in the buying for baby section, or right toward the front. There is a list of companies, the assistance they offer, and how to contact them. Sorry I could not be more soacific, but I wanted to get this in before it went into voting so yu can have as much info as possable. Good luck, and if I find anything else, I will try to contact you and let you know.

Answer 3

Congratulations! I have 13 month old triplets. Several companies offer small assitance for multiples. The MOST website has the list. You will need to send a copy of the birthcertificate. Gerber sent me a pack of coupons. Huggies and Pampers the same.

For your planning, we spend close to $700 a month on formula and $250 on diapers. That does not include shots, clothes, toys etc. I made my own baby food, so easy and cheap.

Also there is most likely a Twins or Triplet club in your area. They usually hold sales. Great place to get used and quality items for a small price.

I would start getting some help arrangned now. I was on bedrest for 5 months! Also, call AFLAC immediatly and purchase hospilazation and ICU plans. We paid one month premium and since ours were in the NICU the policy paid us close to $34K! That went a long way to pay medical bills and hire a nanny.

Think about moving, you will need space. Even though we had a nursery, all 3 lived in the lving room for the first 6 months, as we did 36 bottles a day.

The first year will be very difficult. Mine have just reached the point where we can have one care-giver for a decent strech of time. You will need to have lots of volunteers or hire help.

Answer 4

Check the pampers website. I read somewhere that they do something...can't remember all the details sorry. I think you have to send in copies of the birth certificates. It doesn't hurt to start contacting companies now so you will know who does what and what they need to give you whatever they are giving. Contact your local news as your due date approaches. Here in Indiana they are constantly talking about someone having multiples. The more people who know the more help you may get. I don't have any idea about gov't assistance. You might try W.I.C. . Good luck and Congratulations!!! You are a lucky lady to be so blessed.

Answer 5

I agree with the previous poster. You will inevitably end up on bedrest and with that, you won't be earning income (hope you have short term and long term disability insurance) so your income will become based off of hubby's. More than likely, with a household of 6 (they count the unborn) you will qualify for some types of government assistance. WIC, foodstamps, and possibly even medicaid (even if you have current insurance, you can get medicaid, if you qualify). The medicaid will be key, as with triplets, some, if not all will end up in the NICU or at least needing some kind of care. Those bills add up fast when its triple!

Get onto all the multiples websites. They are your best bets for finding freebies and discounts. Don't be turned off it the site has something "twins" in the address. Most of those sites have a higher order section as well. Best of luck hun!!

Answer 6

What I did when I was pregnant with my twins is just plug in twins discount or twin freebies (in your case triplet or multiples) in google and a lot of things come up. Register with all the baby places (pampers.com, huggies.com, gerber.com..ect) and they will send you coupons (every little bit helps right)
Triplets...wow that has to be some feeling...I thought I was going to faint when I found out I was having twins..i can hardly imagine triplets.
On the realistic side..Im sure your doctor told you that you are now considered a high risk pregnancy, and not to burst any bubbles or anything but you will almost definitly end up on bedrest for some if not most of your pregnancy ( I was on it for over 4 months) It bites because you will not be the main bread winner much longer. Whether or not your job holds your position is irrelivant for a while, and going back to work after they are born will be rough..and certainly more than 6 weeks!! so once you are not working you will most definitly be able to qualify for lots of goverment assistance. I would start with WIC because they will steer you in the right direction. Talk with your doctor also..mine was very helpful with everything from twin groups to twin discounts at stores..so just ask!
You are in for the best time of your life having 3 babies at once..raising multiples is something you can only understand when you have experienced it yourself!!!! You should also join Cafemom.com ...I joined a couple multiples groups and the woman can answer any questions that you have!!!
Congrats..way to go mommy!!!

Answer 7

Visit sites for multiples such as TripletConnection.com or TwinStuff.org (they have an area for higher order multiples). Baby Center and IVillage both also have message boards for parents of multiples. You can get some information from experienced parents at those places.

Also, ask your doctor about support groups in your area-they often have yard sales, etc. where you can pick up multiples of items you will need at a low cost.

I do not believe there is Government assistance available just because you are having multiples. If your income is within the range, you can get government assistance for medical bills, groceries (food stamps, WIC, etc). Otherwise you are out of luck there but I do believe they count the baby (BABIES in your case) as family members to establish your eligibility.

Likewise, most companies no longer offer major freebies to parents of multiples unless it is septuplets, sextuplets, etc. They are just way too common nowadays.

Hopefully, since you are the major breadwinner you have sick days and vacation days saved up that you can be paid for. The FMLA guarantees they have to hold your current position for you but does not mean you will be paid while you are off. If you have disability, sometimes you can go out on that during pregnancy (likely in your case, since you are having triplets and that puts you in a high risk category).

Again, visit those sites so you can get advice from experienced moms. And good luck!

EDITED TO ADD: I know there are some companies that offer parents of multiples discounts when they buy more than one of the exact same thing, such as car seats. That would be one of the questions to ask those experienced moms.

Answer 8

You do not get government assistance for having multiples. Where I live we have something called the Triplet Connection which is a great resource. Look up places where you live. You can call companies and ask for help, but I dont know if they would. It's usually quints or sextuplets that get all the attention. I work with babies and know several families with triplets, and they didn't receive any help.

Answer 9

I'm sorry, and I don't mean to sound harsh, but you don't get a hand-out because you have lots of kids.

I sure could have used assistance with diapers with one as a single mom. Doesn't work that way though.

You are blessed and will be happy, you will just be of modest(more so then now) means.

You can apply for assistance through WIC, which will help with formula. If you don't have insurance you can get it through the state as can your children. Dependent on your income after the children are born you will qualify for daycare assistance, food stmps, electric assistance, rent assistance, etc.

Congrats.

Answer 10

well, congrats on the triplets! i just had twins about two months ago. i remember how stunned i was, i mean, i was in shock for two days. twins run in the family, but not since my mother's grandma, so i wasn't expecting it at all.

i'm pretty sure you can get assistance with the triplets's insurance (medicaid). and maye you could check out "HUDD" housing, they will help you find a house and help you with the down payment and then a low monthly rate for the house. usually they are houses that have been forclosed on. i know you can find out info on the internet, not sure of the address though.

not sure if diaper companies will sponsor, let me know if they do... lol

good luck and congrats!!!!