The Florida Department of Children and Families (Department) provides a variety of resources to support expecting mothers and families. Through the Department’s programs and partnerships, you can access services that support your health, well-being, and stability during pregnancy and after your baby is born.
Expectant mothers may qualify for Medicaid if the family’s countable income does not exceed income limits. Once eligible, a pregnant woman remains eligible throughout her pregnancy and for a 12 -month post-partum period, regardless of any change in income. Once the child is born, the mother can update her case by logging in online to seamlessly add coverage for the baby, which will ensure 12 months of Medicaid coverage is provided.
Women with family income over the limit for Medicaid may qualify for the Medically Needy Program. More information on the program is available here.
Certain pregnant women who do not otherwise qualify for Medicaid may be eligible for Medicaid to cover a serious medical emergency, including the emergency labor and delivery of a child. Learn more about Emergency Medicaid here.
To apply for benefits, visit: https://myaccess.myflfamilies.com/Public/login
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food benefits to low-income families, including pregnant women, to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being. Pregnant women can use SNAP benefits to buy bread, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy, and plants and seeds to grow food for your household to eat.
Proper nutrition during pregnancy is critical to reduce the risk of complications such as low birth weight, anemia, and preterm birth. SNAP helps ease that pressure by ensuring pregnant women can afford healthy foods that support both maternal health and fetal development.
To apply for Medicaid, SNAP, or TCA, visit https://myaccess.myflfamilies.com
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is a federally funded program that provides temporary financial assistance to pregnant women and families with dependent children.
In Florida, the Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) program provides cash assistance to families with children under age 18 (or under age 19 if they are full time students in a secondary school or its equivalent) that meet the program’s technical, income, and asset requirements. TCA helps families become self-sufficient so the children may remain in their own homes or the homes of relatives.
Pregnant women, with no other dependent children, in their third trimester of pregnancy may be eligible to receive Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA), if their physician restricts them from work. Otherwise, TCA eligibility is available in the ninth month of pregnancy. The TCA program temporarily provides financial assistance to pregnant mothers to help pay for food, shelter, utilities, and expenses other than medical.
To apply for Medicaid, SNAP, or TCA, visit https://myaccess.myflfamilies.com
Hope Florida connects individuals and families with a dedicated Hope Navigator who provides personalized, one-on-one support.
Hope Navigators can help:
Call (833) GET HOPE (438-4673) to connect with a Hope Navigator today or visit https://hopeflorida.com/get-help/ to learn more.
DCF partners with Certified Domestic Violence Centers to Domestic to help connect to resources including:
Many housing services prioritize survivors with children or those who are expecting.
The Florida Department of Children and Families manages a trilingual statewide domestic violence hotline that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to respond to your needs. Advocates are available to provide support, safety planning, information, and referrals to a local certified domestic violence center for immediate access to services for individuals who are experiencing or have been impacted by domestic violence.
Phone
TEL: 1-800-500-1119
TDD:1-800-621-4202
TTY: 711 or 1-800-955-8771
Hotline services are also provided in English, Spanish, and Creole.
For more information, visit https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/domestic-violence
DCF provides specialized support for survivors of human trafficking and can connect expecting mothers to safe housing, prenatal healthcare, trauma-informed services, and community resources.
For more information on Human Trafficking resources, visit https://www.myflfamilies.com/HT.
To Report Suspected Human Trafficking (Child or Vulnerable Adult), call 1-800-962-2873.
To Report Human Trafficking to Law Enforcement, call 1-855-FLA-SAFE.
If you or an expecting mother you know is struggling with mental health or substance use during pregnancy, support is available.
Expecting mothers and parents of children under two years old who are looking for support with maternal mental health, postpartum depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, or other behavioral health concerns can find other local resources using Florida's Maternal Behavioral Health and Social Services Resource Directory.If you need assistance accessing mental health or substance use disorder treatment and you do not have Medicaid or other health coverage, visit our Substance Abuse and Mental Health section to get help.
DCF connects families with programs that provide guidance and support during pregnancy and early childhood.
Florida Healthy Start provides programs and services for families who are pregnant or have a baby or child up to three years old, including home visits to provide one-on-one supports.
Home visiting services are provided through a trusted network of programs throughout the state and can assist with:
You may be referred to Healthy Start by your health care provider. You may also access services by connecting with your local Healthy Start Coalition.