Can a 17-year-old mother receive public assistance so that she can leave the family home and live on her own in an apartment?

Answer 1

Yes!:) There is help. I believe that if you go to the department of social services they will be able to help you find a place to live, as well as to help pay if not pay for the rent. They will also help you with your medical bills, and give you food stamps. When the baby gets older and needs to be in daycare, they also have a program to help with that!:) I wish you luck and may God Bless you and your baby:) * Contact the state's department of children and family services for assistance. The fact that a minor is a mother does not automatically grant emancipation status nor make them eligible for public assistance. Such assistance is decided by DCFS investigation of the minor's current family environment. If the minor is being supported by her family and there is no evidence of abuse or neglect towards her or the child she will not qualify for assistance to live on her own, but may be qualified for other public assistance such as Medicaid and WICC. If the minor does not have the support of her family the court may grant her limited emancipation rights so that she and her child may receive public assistance and live in a foster or group home. The court rarely allows a minor with a child to reside on their own. A minor with or without a child must petition the court for emancipation rights as prescribed by state law, social service agency cannot do this for her nor can they declare her an emancipated minor.