Quick Links: Going Home Children's Center Physician & Nursing Faculty Children's Center Services & Subspecialties Guide Resources for Parents

Other useful services you may qualify for:

For more information or to apply for any of these services or benefits, contact your RNICU Social Worker at 517.364.2385 or directly contact the agencies.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a program that pays monthly benefits to people with low income and limited assets who are 65 or older, blind or disabled. Children can qualify if they meet Social Security's definition of disability and their income and assets fall within the eligibility limits. When a child is living at home, the parents' income and assets are considered in deeming if the child qualifies. Children can be considered "disabled" for SSI purposes if their impairment affects their ability to do things and behave as other children of a similar age. Certain medical conditions can presume the child to be eligible, e.g., Downs Syndrome, blindness, extreme low birth weight, etc. Eligibility for SSI benefits begins when Social Security receives a notice of intent to file a claim. Social Security does not accept retroactive SSI applications. For more information about SSI, call the Social Security Administrator at 1.800.772.1213. Within Ingham County, call 517.393.3876.

Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) is a program that pays for certain specialized medical treatment, equipment and supplies. To qualify for services, an individual must have a medically eligible condition and be under 21 years of age. Those over 21 with cystic fibrosis or certain coagulation defects (e.g., hemophilia) may also be eligible for services. Families of all income levels are eligible to enroll in the CSHCS program. Some families may be fully covered for services and others are required to share in the cost of their child's care through a client payment agreement. For more information, call Children's Special Health Care Services at 1.800.359.3722. Ingham County residents can call 517.887.4309.

Early On School Program offers coordinated, family centered early intervention services in your local community for all eligible children and their families from birth to 3 years of age. To be eligible, a child must have a developmental delay or a physical or mental condition likely to lead to a delay. Referrals to the Early On Program can be initiated through Public Health, Education, Mental Health or the Family Independence Agency, After a referral is made, an evaluation to determine eligibility is completed by the Early On staff. Following the evaluation, an Individualized Family Service Plan is developed in partnership with you and the Early On staff that refers you to and/or provides early intervention services as needed. For more information or if you have concerns about your child, call 1.800.Early On. Within Ingham County, contact Early On at 517.244.1298; in Clinton County, contact Early On at 989.224.6831.

Medicaid is a health insurance program for people with low income and limited assets. In Michigan, children receiving SSI benefits qualify for Medicaid coverage. Some children qualify for Medicaid coverage even if they do not qualify for SSI. When a child is living at home, parental income and assets are considered in determining qualification. Children hospitalized for 30 or more days can qualify for Medicaid regardless of parental income or assets. For more information about the Medicaid program, call the Family Independence Agency (FIA) in your county. To find out the telephone number of your county's FIA office, call 517.373.0707. Ingham County residents can call 517.887.9400.

If you already have Medicaid, please contact your FIA worker to add your baby.

Insurance Please remember to add your baby to your medical insurance policy through your employer. Often employers require babies be added within 30 days of birth.

WIC is a nutrition and health program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Michigan Department of Community Health. Pregnant, breast feeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to 5 years of age can participate if they are Michigan residents from low to middle income households and determined to be at nutritional or health risk. If eligible, women and children receive coupons to purchase milk, cheese, eggs, juices, cereals, peas or beans, or peanut butter. Infants receive coupons to purchase formula, infant cereal or infant juice. For more information about the WIC program, call 1.800.26.BIRTH.

Public Health Nurses provide education, counseling, information and referral services for infant care, health problems, growth and development, lifestyle adaptations, nutrition, chronic disease, etc. Services are available to Ingham county residents. For more information about public health nursing, call your local health department. Ingham County residents can call 517.887.4320.