Last Name Battle

HI! As long as you two are still together they wont go after him for child support. I was also in highschool when I had my oldest and also was with the daddy. (still am today) Put his name on the birthcertificate, the baby deserves it! Worry about child support down the road.

Yes, as far as I know they will. If the state is supporting you and your daughter and there is a father...they will go after him for child support and it will be paid to the state not you. Even if you don't list him on the BC they will ask you about the possible fathers. They may even do DNA testing.

PUT HIS NAME ON THE BIRTH CERTIFICATE. If you are not entitled for any programs. Well join the real world. You and your boyfriend might have to get a job to support this child. It is a cruel world out there. If the boyfriend refuses to put his name on the birth certificate, then go to court.

I don't really know what title 19 is. But I was not married when I had my daughter, and it really depends on what his income is. I do know that I had both wicc and state health insurance before and after my daughter was born, and he WAS on the birth certificate and it never mattered. It is harder to do once you are married. But even if his name is on her birth certificate. you should be able to apply for any assistance that you want/need. I don't know about the child support thing either, it probably depends on what state you are in. But I do know that in Wyoming and Idaho they never went after him for any kind of support, not really even now that we are getting divorced and discussing custody. My advice is go online and look up your state child support laws, and also what your states rules are on state assistance. There is tons of information on the web if you just look for it. Thats the best advice I can give you, good luck, if you need help researching I would be willing to help you, just send me a private message so we can get in touch and we could go from there. A.

This is not true that if you list your boyfriend on the birth certificate that names him as father to your daughter after the birth, however if you name him while being pregnant and then you apply for Title 19 they will definately go after him for child support. If you and him were to live together then they would not go after him since he would be providing support in the house. WIC is a different story as only you and the baby will be on that program and they do not care who the father is and only look at your income to determine eligibility. You can also get other state programs such as food stamps without the father having to pay child support.

My sister was pregnant and in order to get Title 19 said that she did not know who the father was as soon as my Niece was born the father was listed on the bith certificate and then they were later married.

If you have any question please message me and I will be happy to talk to you.

****** I am not in any way stating to lie to the state-I am just giving an example of a situation that I knew of-If the father is helping with all of the care then you can possibly not have them go after him for child support-I would definately name him as father and have him sign the papers that go along with it as at a later date you may need that child support. The only way for sure that I know of for him not paying is if you and him live together. ********

As far as WIC, A friend of mine has worked there for several years and she basically described it as income based. so if you put the father's name down, they are going to attempt to find income from him, which can include child support. Thus, that could lower your bottom line assistance.

However, this is what my friend counsels every person that comes in...DO NOT attempt to use this as a supplement to income. If you miss appts, etc. you can be "disqualified" and removed from the program. any assistance you should receive is a bonus to what you are already providing.

That may sound harsh, but they see people EVERY day that attempt to work the system and they don't have a very high tolerance for that. Your circumstances may have arrived due to an unfortunate accident and they are compassionate about that, but they EXPECT someone applying to show proof of either gainful employment or that they are seriously attempting to provide a competent healthy lifestyle for the family.

Not sure if that answers your questions. Here is a website:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/

You dont't have to put him on the application, just have it that you do not know who the father is, even if you will be giving your daughter his last name. They will never know being that when that you can put any last name for your child when they are born without any questions. Having his name on there is more for income issues. I had the same situation, I'm not married but my fiancee make too much money and in cash( no proof of actual income due to his industry type) for us to get it. But my daughter has his last name on her birth certificate and I still got it because I don't work. Honestly being that you are in highschool I'm sure you have nothing to worry about unless he is older and has a job that may provide healthcare through his work.

Almost four years ago when we had our son, wic was easy, all I had to do was show them proof of my income and tell them I was single, and that's all they needed. After my son was born I put his father on the birth certificate and we hyphenated our son's last name. When I applied for medicaid for my son, they told me that if my and the father were not living together they would go to court for child support. I signed a form that said we were, showed them proof of both our incomes and we were fine. I don't know anything about title 19 though. Since we're now married and I have only my husbands last name we looked into changing our son's last name too, but it seems to be expensive and difficult. So now I'm really glad we hyphenated b/c I've been told he can go by either last name if he chooses to and legally will be fine. I hope this helps.

A.,

You can never go wrong with telling the truth. If you know that your boyfriend is your baby's father, put his name on the birth certificate. I would also include your last name, for example Smith-Jones. That way, under any circumstance, your baby will have both your names.

When it comes to the paperwork for the State, again, tell the truth. Someone earlier suggested simply stating "you don't know who the father is" and I couldn't give you more opposite advice. Part of being a parent is learning at any age that you have to be truthful and make the "right" choice EVERYTIME. Your children will learn by example and you may as well start out now by being truthful and accepting the natural order of things. Your daughter will look to you for guidance and integrity and by being honest from the beginning, you can look her in the face and tell her that you always did the right thing.

Okay, off my soap box for now. Good luck to you and your new little one!

C.

It doesn't matter if you list his name on the Birth Certificate or not. They will ask you for the father's name when you apply for both of those programs. There is no way around that. The father HAS to provide for the child...regardless if you think he should or not. They will consider his income as part of the income for the child, or go after him for child support and that will be included in your income. Either can happen depending on lots of factors. Regardless if you go for either of these programs they will know all about the father.

Hi A.,

My advice is to put the dad on the birth certificate. As long as he is not fighting you about paternity, you need to make sure that you have the means to take care of you and your baby, and part of that may mean child support. If you are living together and he is supporting you anyway, the state will take that into consideration. You cannot get any help though without naming the father, and if he doesn't already support you, you will have to get child support. (you deserve it anyway, and if the dad doesn't wanna pay, kick him to the curb. He's equally responsible for knocking you up and your baby.) Honestly, it's really only fair to you and your baby. I did it the other way, not putting the dad on the birth certificate until about five years ago, so he didn't have to lift a fingerto help us it really sucked, especially as teen agers, and I always wished that I had taken care of that earlier. Hope this helps!

C.

i am on title 19 and wic and was with my first son too. my son has his last name and our unborn son will too. you can apply to get help anywhere. you are a minor and they will help you with anything. wic helps pregnant women no matter what. you don't have to put him down on your paper work. as for title 19 i think if you guys don't live together they may get him for some of the birth.....but not always. but if you need the help with bills and prenatal care...don't hesitate. it gets expensive and there may be things that come up. there are people like the case workers that can help you with all the craziness that you're not sure of. i know if you still live with your parents that title 19 will will there for you and your baby. a plus if you get on it is that your baby will have title 19 until her 1st birthday. that means all the shots and appointments are covered!! it can be a lifesaver!!

I was pg with my son when I was 18 and I was on Title 19 while pg. At that time they didn't even ask about the father. It wasn't until after my son was born that, that was asked about. And even then, since we lived together they didn't go after him for child support (until we split up anyway).
If you are really concerned about it, call and talk to a worker in your area and ask any questions you have.
As far as WIC is concerned, like Barbara said, it doesn't matter about the father. Only you and baby are covered and after baby is born unless you breastfeed, it is only baby. They don't ask/care about dad whether he lives with you or not.

Also, my son had my bf's last name on his birth cert.

When you apply for Title 19 and WIC while pg you don't have to put down a name for the baby. When you are pg and apply, at that time you are basically applying for yourself. You don't actually put a name down for baby, until baby arrives. At least that's how it was when I was pg (but that was 12 yrs ago)

I wish you the best!
K.

I have three children. My last one was born 5 years ago, but i cant imagine that the system has changed that much. I was notmarried this last time to my sons dad. I was able to have his last name on the birth certificate, all i had to do for child support was write them aletter stating that i did not wish to recieve child support from him as he was helping me support ourchild and we did however live together, so im not sure if thats a factor or not, but from experience i did take the last name for my son and his dad and i have been together 7 years and he has never paid any child support.... good luck

If you put his name on anything related to your daughter, he is responsible for expenses. You can always have her name changed leagaly after you get married. Until then, all agencies have to use his finatial information. It's a pain but it's the only way they'll decide if you qualify for their programs. It doesn't really take all that much to change her name later. Hope this helps.

With Wicc that isnt the problem nor should it be with Title 19 unless they have gotten overzealous recently. If he is not living with you they can try to get child support out of him on your behalf if you are not already receiving child support from him when the baby is born. This will not count until you've actually had Bella.
When you do go into to sign up for Title 19 if you arent living together just tell them he intends to pay child support when your child is born because he will be paying for things anyway.
When Bella is born if you are not living together add up the things he pays for and turn that in as the amount of child support paid in.
If you are living together they will not go after him for child support. If you apply for FIP without living with him then they have no choice to get a child support order but you can only apply for that once your child is born also.
Right now it shouldnt be an issue just watch out after Bella is born.

I was in the same situation only 5 years ago. If you and the father are together and living in the same household, they will not go after him for child support. However, if you are living seperately then they probably will (this pertains to Title 19). WICC will not go after the father regardless of the situation. They actually could care less who the father is. WICC's main agenda is to see that mommy and baby are properly nutrioned before and after birth. My children have their father's last name and he is listed on both birth certificates. We are not married and it has not affected the WICC we had in the past, or the current Title 19 my children are receiving.

If you apply for any assistance they will request the name of the child's father. The idea behind it is why should the state pay for your child if their father isn't. The child is entitled to child support. It has nothing to do with what name you give the child. You could give her your last name and put his on the birth certificate. Even if there is no father listed on the certificate they will request his name.

hello!! i applied for t-19 and wic when i was pregnant. i used my boyfriends last name on the paperwork and my daughter has his name as well. we have never had any problems and my daughter is now 14 months old. she is still on wic and t-19! i was told that they came after one of my moms cousins for money for this reason, but i wanted to try it anyway and it was fine. so good luck and congratulations.

Whenever you ask for help from the state and aren't married the state will go after the father for child support. I don't know if they can go after him if he is underage or not but once he is of age they will go after him unless you are married. As far as not being eligible, I think it depends on your parents income since you are not 18 yet but I'm not sure. Your eligibility would have nothing to do with the father unless you live with him. If you live with him then they shouldn't go after child support because he is already supporting the child. If your boyfriend is not contesting that he is the father he will be asked to sign a form that names him as the father and puts his name on the birth cirtificate automatically. If he requests a paternity order then his name will not be added until the paternity test is done. I hope this helps. If you need the assistance then you should really get help. You should be eligible no matter if the father is in the picture or not because you are not married.

When I had my first one my son has my husbands last name (we were only boyfriend - girlfriend at that point though). They never went after him in anyway. I am not sure what Title 19 is. I was only on WIC. So I don't think this is true for WIC.

First of all, you can give your child any last name that you wish, with or without a fathers name on the birth certificate. And yes, you can put him on there, which you should since he is the father. Yes, they will make him pay child support and he should pay it reguardless of the situation. Even with him paying child support you will still qualify for public assistance and WIC. I dont think a 16 yr old boy is going to be paying a whole lot in child support to worry about that. I would definately be sure to put him on the birth certificate though. You two are young and things dont always work out the way you hope that they should. Most of all, stay in school. That is very important. You have a child to worry about and to take care of and its hard enough to survive in this world as it is. If you dont have an education its even worse. So, whatever you do, dont quit school!! Good luck to you and I wish you the best of luck!!

I am in the same county as you and on TitleXIX and Wic and get food aid and a Fip check. you ca apply for everything and give your baby your b/f's last name..they did not go after my ex untill i started recieving a fip check and i have the option of going off fip and having my child support come straight to me without it affecting any of my other benifits. So in answer to your question...DHS is going to want to know your babies father's name regardless of what the child's last name is. If you put his name on her birth certificate then you will just have less paperwork to fill out later and you won't have to travel to Ottumwa to get DNA tests later. Hope this helps.

Beth

It's is as another response said. The state figures if the father doesn't pay then why should they? Remember that you are young and that according to the statistics your relationship could not last forever. I wish you the best of luck and hope it does. However, you may want to get the child support to ensure that you will have some help if things do not work out. If he really loves you he should not have a problem with giving support to his child.

It sounds like he is also young and so I doubt that he makes all that much money, so he probably will not even have to pay that much. The state does not take it all.

I married my high school sweetheart and I was convinced that we would be together forever, but now I am divorced. I am very grateful I get the child support, because I would not see a dime from my son's father otherwise.

I am not trying to be grime or pessimistic. I hope you have all the luck in the world and good luck with your baby. Being a mom is the most rewarding job that you will ever have. Congratulations!

I believe that they are correct. The state does not want to give people who could be "making it" with child support money. I've been on their programs and not named the father on the birth certificate(we weren't together anymore) but you still have to name him for the programs so they can try to collect money from him because, honestly, the state doesn't want to pay unless it's necessary. It all goes by income and every program has different income guidelines. If he makes a lot of money you may not qualify but if he doesn't then sometimes you will. The good news is that if he makes a lot of money then he shouldn't mind giving you child support. Why is it a big deal if it's going to the people that he loves?

It's a big decision. Good luck! Also, you may want to look into what it costs to change a child's name before making your decision.