If you’re pregnant and in need of financial support, there are resources for you. At Birth Choice, we can connect you to resources for pregnant women by providing information and referrals. We consider it our goal to help you realize that there’s support for you.

Resources for Pregnant Women in an Immediate Crisis

There are many resources available to you. Foremost, if you are temporarily in need of housing, in our community, try contacting The Place in Jackson, TN. This is a center for women who do not have access to adequate resources and are in need of temporary housing. You can also check out The Dream Center of Jackson, which prioritizes women and mothers with children, and Freewill Shelter and Outreach in Humboldt. In addition to that, there is Area Relief Ministries, which can connect you to food, some medical care, temporary housing, and other essentials, but Area Relief hosts beds for men in the building. If you are experiencing domestic violence, WRAP, which has several locations around West Tennessee, provides safe housing and counseling services. The Care Center is another great shelter for women experiencing homelessness or abuse. RIFA in Jackson and Helping Hand in Humboldt are good resources if you need food or low-cost clothes or household items.

If you have housing and sustenance but you need help with material resources for your baby like diapers, blankets, and clothes, our clinic offers a program for maternity and baby items. Our E.S.T.H.E.R. program allows you to earn points to access free baby clothes, blankets, diapers, and cribs, simply by agreeing to learn about:

Prenatal care and pregnancy information
Childbirth
Breastfeeding
Parenting
Making healthy life choices

By learning about these topics, you will be able to earn “mommy money,” which allows you to access material resources needed for you and your children.

State Assistance for Pregnant Women

There is a myriad of assistance programs that are designed to help you. The Tennessee Department of Human Services runs most of these programs. There is an entire division dedicated to women, infants, and children, called WIC. The WIC office of Madison County is located at 589 East College Street in Jackson, TN; they and other WIC offices around West Tennessee offer supplemental food vouchers to pregnant women and mothers who have children under the age of five in addition to other programs.

The two largest state assistance programs in Tennessee are Families First and SNAP, formerly known as food stamps. Families First provides temporary assistance and rehabilitation. SNAP provides a stipend for groceries in order to access fresh, nutritious food. These programs are a lifeline for many people, including pregnant women or mothers and young children, ensuring they have the basic support and sustenance they need during critical stages of development.

In addition to these, there are more specific programs for pregnant women in Tennessee. For example, if you are pregnant, you may be able to receive temporary TennCare in order to get medical attention immediately while your TennCare Medicaid application is processing. Learn more about immediate assistance with medical coverage for pregnant women in Tennessee here. At Birth Choice in Jackson, we help our clients sign up for TennCare in our office.

To summarize, Tennessee offers a range of essential services aimed at alleviating financial strain and promoting stability for expecting women:

TennCare Medicaid: Pregnant women with low income may qualify for TennCare Medicaid, which provides comprehensive health coverage including prenatal care, labor and delivery services, and postnatal care. Help applying for TennCare is available at the Jackson office.

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Program: This federal assistance program provides supplemental nutrition to low-income pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. WIC offers healthy food options, nutrition education, and breastfeeding support.
Maternal and Child Health Services: Tennessee’s local health departments offer various maternal and child health services, including free or low-cost prenatal care, parenting classes, and support groups.
Emergency Shelter and Housing Assistance: For pregnant women facing housing instability, programs such as the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) can provide short-term emergency shelter and housing assistance.
Childcare Assistance: The Tennessee Child Care Certificate Program offers financial assistance for childcare to eligible low-income families. This program helps cover the cost of daycare services.
Domestic Violence Support: If you are experiencing domestic violence, Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence offers resources such as shelters, counseling, and legal advocacy. Ensuring a safe environment is crucial for both your well-being and your baby’s health.

These resources and programs are designed to support pregnant women through various stages of pregnancy and early motherhood. To access these services, you can contact local offices of the Tennessee Department of Human Services, visit their website, or reach out to community-based organizations that specialize in maternal and child health.

Who Qualifies?

Eligibility for these programs often depends on income level, family size, and specific circumstances. The application process is designed to be accessible. Most programs have specific requirements for qualification.

Navigating the System

Applying for government assistance can feel overwhelming, but resources are available to help guide you through the process. Local TN DHS offices have dedicated staff who can provide personalized assistance and answer questions about eligibility criteria and required documentation. The DHS office of Jackson is: 225 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr #205, Jackson, TN 38301.

Long-Term Financial Solutions

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective), the primary long-term financial solution to all people is working and living within the means of the paycheck. If you find work that you love, or at least work that you don’t hate, it’s a lot easier to maintain motivation. This can be done by exploring your passions and your gifts. What are you good at? What do you like doing? Even if the answer is, “scroll on social media,” that can you give you an indication that you might enjoy work in marketing. If you need help deciding, you might consider taking a career aptitude test. This will recommend careers you might like.

The second half of this is living within the budget. Many people consider this the harder half. Try shopping at stores that sell within your price range, limit your online spending, and regularly check your monthly bank statement. There will be lots of personal financing budget advice for you with a quick online search.

Child Support

Your child has two parents. Even if you were never married, you are not legally obligated to incur the total cost of raising a child alone. This is especially true if you’re in a financially strenuous situation. If only one parent is living with the child, the other parent can be legally required to contribute funds to support their child. Child support, which can be attained through a legal process, is an option available to you in the case that you and the father are not married. Tennessee Department of Human Services offers a child support program that locates parents who are responsible for their children.

How do I emotionally process financial hardship through pregnancy and motherhood?

We understand this can be very difficult. We consider it our job to help you understand that you have options and support available to you. There are lots of resources for pregnant women and mothers in Tennessee. Financial resources for pregnant women include local nonprofit and state assistance.