Where in Michigan can pregnant moms apply for a quickly expanding cash aid program?
In 2026 alone, Rx Kids, which offers cash aid during pregnancy and during the first six or 12 months of a baby’s life, has expanded to the city of Detroit and the entire Upper Peninsula.
Here’s where Rx Kids is up and running, what it offers and how to apply.
Where is the program currently operating?
The program now operates in 39 Michigan communities. Here is where it’s running, according to the Rx Kids website.
Where will the program expand?
The program is expected to open applications at 9 a.m. April 1 for moms in Mount Clemens and Center Line in Macomb County and Montmorency County in northern Michigan. Moms who are 16 or more weeks pregnant and live in those communities can apply to receive $1,500 mid-pregnancy. Eligible families can get also $500 a month for the first six months of a baby’s life, born on or after April 1.
Who qualifies?
The program is currently open to eligible residents of participating communities. Applicants must be 18 years old or 16 years old with a parent or guardian’s consent. Applicants must also be at least 16 weeks pregnant or the guardian of a child who is 6 months or younger, and born after the program kicked off in their community. There are no income or work requirements.
What does Rx Kids offer?
Depending on the community where it operates, Rx Kids offers $1,500 in cash assistance before birth (specifically after 16 weeks of pregnancy) and then $500 a month for the first six or 12 months of a baby’s life, for a total of up to either $4,500 or $7,500.
Rx Kids does not issue the one-time $1,500 if someone applies after their baby is born. Parents can enroll up to 6 months after childbirth and can get up to 12 payments but that depends on where they are located and when they apply, according to the program’s guidebook.
Rx Kids, led by Flint pediatrician Dr. Mona Hanna, whose testing of lead in children forced state and local leaders to confront the Flint water crisis. The program started in Flint two years ago and has since rapidly expanded to dozens more communities, from Detroit to the entire Upper Peninsula. In Detroit, Rx Kids distributed $1 million in its first month.
Where to get more information and apply:
To apply, go to rxkids.org and click the red “apply” button on the upper right-hand side of the screen.
For more detailed information on the program, go to the Rx Kids guidebook at https://bit.ly/RxKidsGuideBook.
Reach reporter Nushrat Rahman at nrahman@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Every Michigan city, county where pregnant moms can get $4,500 or more
Reporting by Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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