Emergency Assistance for Moms
We recognize that many women facing unexpected pregnancies experience overwhelming pressure—often financial—that can lead them to believe abortion is their only option. Studies show that up to 70% of women who have abortions report feeling coerced or influenced by outside circumstances.
In many of these cases, the crisis can come down to a few hundred dollars. While abortion facilities may be closed here in Louisiana, access to abortion pills by mail remains a tragic and dangerous option. We must meet these women with real, timely support that empowers them to choose life for their child.
The Emergency Assistance to Moms Initiative was created to respond to these urgent financial needs. Through a network of advocates and pregnancy resource centers, we offer direct financial support on behalf of mothers—paid directly to landlords, utility companies, schools, auto shops, and other service providers. This ensures accountability while quickly removing the practical obstacles that can make a life-affirming choice feel out of reach.
Emergency Assistance Grants may include support for:
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Housing Assistance (e.g., rent or emergency lodging)
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Vehicle Payments or Repairs
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Tuition or Education-Related Expenses
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Medical Expenses
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Utility Payments
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Grocery Assistance (provided through local pregnancy centers to ensure proper use)
How It Works:
Client advocates, such as staff from pregnancy centers, submit grant applications on behalf of their clients. This model ensures that each applicant is already in a supportive relationship with someone who understands her unique situation and can help ensure resources are used wisely and compassionately.
Our goal is simple: to remove the financial pressures that lead women to believe they have no choice. By offering tangible, life-giving assistance, we stand beside mothers in crisis—so they can stand for life.
Intake Form
The Emergency Grant Program was developed to assist pregnant women in a crisis situation (e.g. domestic violence, high-risk pregnancy, coercion to abort, eviction) and in need of immediate financial assistance. (Examples: she needs a first month rent and/or security deposit, has no heat or electricity, no money for hospital checkups, etc.) Any woman who is pregnant and may be at risk, or whose baby may be at risk, may be eligible for assistance.
The mother may be abortion vulnerable, but if she receives the grant, she must have the intent to carry her child to term, with the help of the pregnancy resource center that referred her. In essence, the emergency grant is a means to give a mother a “leg-up” as she bravely proceeds in choosing life for her child.
It is our intention to process each request as quickly as possible. Each request is determined and analyzed on a case-by-case basis. If there is a special need for prompt attention, please let us know on the application form.
PREGNANCY CENTER PORTAL
Program Policies
1. A pregnancy resource center must confirm that the mother is pregnant before a referral can be made.
2. ONLY pregnancy resource centers may make a referral for a client in need of assistance. Under no circumstances does the office communicate directly with the client. If a client calls the office directly, she should be referred to a local pregnancy center that knows of the emergency grant program and can give a referral. See FindHelpLa.com for a listing of pregnancy resource centers.
3. When a referral is made, the pregnancy center should use the Intake Form (whether the PDF version emailed to emergencyassistance@prolifelouisiana.org or the online form version) to submit:
- Name of client
- Client address and phone number
- Confirmation of pregnancy/no. of weeks pregnant.
- Age of other children, if any.
- Explanation of need for financial assistance.
- Amount of money needed and date needed.
- Person or company to whom the money will be sent, along with that address and contact information. Checks are never given to individual clients or pregnancy resource centers; they are only issued to the landlord, doctor, utility company, etc.
- Additional information provided by the referring center. Note: although the client’s story and identity remain anonymous, the stories of these clients assist us in fundraising for the emergency grant program.
4. When LARTL receives the referral, the client’s need is verified by a ER Fund Committee member. The member will review and assess the client’s information and request.
5. The Emergency Assistance Committee reviews the requests that have come through and determine what action should be take, if approved the center should pass this information to the client.
6. The check is mailed to the appropriate company/person (landlord/doctor/utility company). If possible, that individual or entity should be called, notifying them that the check is coming.
7. A representative of Louisiana Right to Life will consult with the Pregnancy Center to collect what information could be used in public dissemination to promote the project.
For Pregnancy Centers
Print a poster for your staff to spread the word about the Emergency Assistance for Moms Grant. This can be posted in a break room or staff only area. A representative from your center must fill out the intake, it should not be posted somewhere visible to clients.
PREGNANCY CENTER PORTAL