|  | Healthcare Industry | Health Insurance

Social Security Benefits for Multiple Births

Expected or unexpected, a pregnancy can be nerve-wracking when you consider the financial strain you'll experience. The cost doubles if you're having twins, triples if you're having triplets, and so on. Fortunately, the Social Security Administration and many states understand that many pregnant women don't have the resources to support themselves, so they've created programs to ensure the well-being of you and your growing family.

  1. Social Security Benefits and Medicaid

    • Social Security provides more than just retirement benefits to the elderly--it has grown to include young people as well. Medicaid is a state-regulated social security program that provides low-income citizens with health insurance. If you are disabled (that is, you have a medical condition that will last at least a year or result in death) or your child is blind or born with a disability, you can apply for disability insurance on the Social Security Administration website. Supplementary Security Income (SSI) is another form of government aid available to young, disabled or low-income citizens.

    Food Stamps

    • Food stamps are available to low-income families, and are usually offered or included if you receive SSI. If you are not disabled but are between the ages of 18 and 60, you must register for work or participate in an employment-training program in order to receive food stamps. You must also fall within a certain income limit, based on the number of people in your home, and the amount of food stamps you receive also varies depending on your income and expenses. Use the Social Security Office Finder under "Resources" to find where your local office is, and apply for food stamps there.

    Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

    • Womaen, Infants and Children, or WIC, is a federal grant program that is administered by each state to its citizens. It was begun in 1972 to allow mothers with limited incomes to feed themselves and their children nutritious meals. Not only does WIC grant money for food, it also provides screening for other government aid programs for mothers. In order to qualify for WIC, your income level must be 185 percent below the U.S. Poverty Income Guidelines. Your eligibility also increases with your risk of medical problems, so being pregnant with multiple children will most likely put you at top priority in the WIC program.

    Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

    • If your income is too high to qualify for Medicaid but too low for you to afford private insurance, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) may be the best option for you. CHIP was renewed and expanded in 2009 to cover 4 million more children than it covered previously. Contact your local Social Security office to learn your state's CHIP guidelines.

Health Insurance - Related Articles