The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has set up a website to encourage unmarried parents to legally establish paternity as soon as their child is born. Spokesperson Bob Wheaton tells WSJM News a child with established paternity, even if the parents are not married, can qualify for the father’s health insurance and Social Security.
“Particularly in situations where there’s a child born to an unmarried mom, it’s important to make that paternity determination at the time of birth so that the child can have all of the benefits of knowing who the parents are,” Wheaton said.
The state says unmarried parents should still make sure to give their child the “dadvantages” he or she should be getting. You can find the state’s promotional website right here.
