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    • Having a Child Guide

    Having a Child: Benefits and Administrative Checklist

    Congratulations on your growing family! When you're expecting or have recently welcomed a new baby, there are important benefits and administrative tasks to complete. This guide will help you navigate the essential steps.

    Before Baby Arrives

    Review Your Coverage

    • Understand your current health insurance coverage for prenatal care and delivery
    • 12 weeks paid family leave, additional unpaid FMLA available
    • Plan for Healthcare FSA contributions for upcoming medical expenses
    • Consider childcare options and Dependent Care FSA enrollment

    Immediate Actions After Birth

    Health Insurance Enrollment

    • Add your new baby to your health insurance plan
    • Complete enrollment within 30 days of qualifying event
    • Contact your benefits team to begin enrollment
    • Provide required documentation (birth certificate)

    Other Insurance Coverage

    • Enroll your child in dental and vision insurance plans
    • Mid-year changes allowed for qualifying life events
    • Consider increasing Dependent Care FSA for childcare expenses

    Payroll and Tax Updates

    Tax Withholding Changes

    • Update your W-4 to reflect additional dependent
    • Submit changes through ADP portal or contact payroll
    • Review impact on take-home pay and tax liability

    Life Insurance Updates

    • Add your new child as a beneficiary on life insurance policies
    • Consider increasing life insurance coverage for your growing family
    • Update beneficiary percentages and designations

    Important Documents

    Government Documentation

    • Birth certificate available 2-4 weeks after birth
    • Apply for Social Security card for your new baby
    • Consider passport application if needed for travel

    Medical Care

    • Choose a pediatrician within your health insurance network
    • Schedule required newborn screenings and vaccinations
    • Keep detailed records of immunizations and medical history

    Estate and Financial Planning

    Estate Planning Updates

    • Update will and estate planning documents
    • Ensure new child is included in inheritance planning
    • Consider guardianship designations

    Education Planning

    • Open 529 education savings plan as early as possible
    • Research state-specific education savings benefits
    • Consider automatic contribution plans

    Important Deadlines

    Time-Sensitive Actions

    • Health insurance enrollment (Complete enrollment within 30 days of qualifying event)
    • Social Security card application (as soon as birth certificate is available)
    • Tax withholding updates (next available payroll cycle)
    • Life insurance beneficiary updates (immediately)

    Getting Support

    For questions about benefits enrollment, leave policies, or administrative processes:

    Helpful Resources

    Government Resources

    • Social Security Administration for Social Security cards
    • IRS Child Tax Credit information
    • State vital records office for birth certificates

    Financial Planning

    • 529 Plan information for education savings
    • Child Care Aware for childcare resources
    • Financial advisors for family financial planning

    Remember that welcoming a new baby involves both celebrations and important administrative tasks. Many of these steps can be prepared in advance during pregnancy to reduce stress after your baby arrives.
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