How do single mothers survive financially immediately after pregnancy?

Question

I have a friend who is in the process of a divorce, from which she will not receive any funds. She is also pregnant. She won't receive a paycheck during the period after she gives birth when she needs to stay home and recover and take care of her baby. What do single mothers like this do?? Is there any aid available?

Her ex will not have to pay child support until the child is a month old or something, he is demanding a paternity test which will take time and money. By then, she will have already been off work for a month with no money. Also, she can't apply for disability because she is already pregnant.

Ok you people out there like Sweet P... this woman is not immature or a bad decision maker! Just because she is pregnant doesn't mean she's an idiot. Also, just because she needs help doesn't mean she's being paid to make babies. It's not her fault that there are jerk husbands out there who could care less if their ex wives and babies survive. She's not looking to mooch off of the government. There are actually genuine people in need who receive this support!

It AMAZES me that some people think they know every situation. WI MOM should be ashamed of assuming that this woman made a poor choice! Why is pregnancy a poor choice? Maybe she didn't mean to get pregnant, but she was taking every precaution not to get pregnant! Now that her husband leaves her, it's her fault!? IGNORANT PEOPLE!

Answer 1

If she has a good job and is planning to return to work (which I would assume she is) Then I would say she could take out a small personal loan or apply for a credit card to cover her expenses for that month. It sound like she must be making pretty decent money at her current job if she isn't expecting to be awarded any spousal support in the divorce settlement. That should make it realistic for her to pay back her personal loan.

When we were expecting our oldest we both wanted to take time off to spend with our son. I took three months and my husband took one month. To prepare for our lack of income, we worked overtime prior to the birth and saved every penny!

If your friend isn't due for a few more months, she can focus on building her personal savings (although having the expense of legal fees probably doesn't help in that area!!)

Answer 2

I am a single mother & I was very lucky right after I went into labor I got 2 weeks of vacation pay & 3 weeks of maternity leave that was offered by employer. I still had 2 weeks that wasn't paid for and that made it very difficult. If she has been working she maybe able to get that if her employer offers it.

Also there is WIC, TANF, Food stamps, and as soon as the baby is born she can take him to court to get child support that should help. Good luck

Answer 3

This was me with my first child. I wasn't on the job yet long enough to receive disability and the father went truckin', so to speak. I saved like CRAZY throughout my pregnancy, since I knew what was to come.

You can apply for MFIP, which is a grant provided by the state for food and cash help. It is only temporary, and when you go back to work it's gone.

I accepted a lot of hand me down's from my sister who has twins of the same gender as mine, just 7 months older.

If you are involved with church, let them know your situation, as well as your family too.

Please remember that this will be a hard time but your friend will get through it. All new parents go through hard times, not just single moms.

Answer 4

It would be a good idea for her to contact her local health department, welfare or W-2 agency and WIC. These numbers are found in the Yellow Pages, you could also google the information and get a lot of numbers and supporting congregations that can help your friend.
She will get food stamps, insurance, WIC, free supplies, food pantry access, food and milk vouchers, some states offer a visiting nurse and the health department offers free vaccines.
These agencies/programs will also help her find affordable living, daycare, schooling and a job.
Good luck!

Answer 5

You sound very irritated. I recognize what anti-feminist is, however I are not able to say I completely consider what your announcing. My mom married at sixteen my father was once 18, they're nonetheless in combination. They should not be. She labored watiress jobs, at a cleaners and a meat packing warehouse and a manufacturing unit. Pretty a lot the equal as him. She had 4 youngsters by the point she was once 32 and eventually landed a well manufacturing unit activity she stayed at till retirement. Him too. She didn't recognize whatever approximately a feminist motion, however she held that activity, raised all people, stayed with my dad and retired with particularly somewhat of cash from shares in that corporation. My father did the equal. He landed a well manufacturing unit activity and stayed to retirement. (Back whilst you might do this) Now, cash shrewd they have been approximately same. Socially, my dad had the higher hand, it was once the days. His thought of appearing like a person was once walking off on the mouth. She dealt with the whole thing at the same time he talked. My mom did what she needed to do to outlive her lifestyles. My father was once now not expertise. There was once no communique (nonetheless is not) and he downed her always. But while, she was once smarter than him and she or he got here out on best everytime. She unnoticed, babied and outsmarted him. My mom was once raised to outlive. If she might had been born at yet another time, she could have performed matters in a different way, however I respect her extra for undertaking what she has by way of her lifestyles because of her possess force and perspective. She did not degree matters through who advised who what or who paid for what, she had her possess brain and did what she desired in her possess approach. She was once sensible and made it paintings. Even in her opressed instances, my mom got here out on best. She now not most effective was once sensible, however candy, sort and a constant function mannequin. She was once an effective girl. But she in no way forgot she was once one and didn'nt wish to. I pay attention you at the feminist factor and it has transformed plenty of regulations however we could now not disregard we're ladies. The backside line is what you think within and doing what you think you're giant adequate to do and what is going to you do to get it performed. We can nonetheless be ladies, get what we wish, do the activity bigger, smarter and extra effectively at the same time nonetheless being feminen. There isn't any disgrace in loving your husband, likeing your dwelling and home tasks, cooking if thats what your into & nonetheless be in enormous and responsible. My mom is the most powerful man or woman I recognize. I do are living is that this global, at present, and I have stated to her, how might you keep by way of all this. She does not provide an explanation for. I desire I had part the boldness she has.

Answer 6

There will be so much aid available for your friend. She needs to contact her local Family Services office and talk to someone...they will direct her to all the services she needs.
Even when she returns to work, as a single mother, she will be eligible for childcare assistance. Depending on the amount of money she makes, she will still qualify for the other services also.

Answer 7

she should start saving money now. there are places that she can go and get aid but saving money now will really help her. she should try to talk to her ex and see if he is willing to help her during this time period. I assume he will be paying child support and helping out so maybe she can make some sort of deal with him. now is not the time to fight and argue with each other they should put all of that behind them and consider their child for a minute.

Answer 8

Yes there wic, tanf, food stamps. She should qualify for all of these if shes unable to get work during this period. There is also day care offered WIC can help her find somewhere. They offer very low rates to people once she starts to work again. She needs to contact her local social service office and see about the programs that are avalible to her.

Answer 9

Alot of government assistance but the dad should pay child support and spousal support maybe she got a really bad lawyer.

Answer 10

Hi, I am a single mother. I had to live off my master card for awhile. I didnt' like it, but now I have my maternity leave and my family allowance... so I think I will do some childcare from my home to pay off the card