In today’s economic climate, unanticipated expenses can cause real distress. When those expenses arise in conjunction with a high-risk pregnancy or NICU admission, patients and families are often faced with limited options -- and no time left to plan. The NICU’s Veteran Parent Support Partner estimates that as many as 75% of families experience some degree of economic hardship during their baby’s stay.
When babies are born early—sometimes months before their due date--the out-of-pocket costs are compounded with extended NICU stays. With EI benefits capped at $695 weekly, family income is often reduced by 50% or more during parental leave. Early leaves also mean less time to build up the savings that many families depend on to bridge this income gap, and the unanticipated expenses associated with specialized care deplete those vital savings more quickly. Financial constraints pose significant barriers to parents' participation in family-integrated NICU care, which can lead in turn to longer hospital stays.
By enabling our Social Workers and NICU parent support team to help ease some of these financial burdens, your support will allow patients and families to focus on the things that matter most.
