Benefits

This page lists the rights and benefits you're entitled to when you're pregnant. It also lists other benefits you might be able to receive, depending on your circumstances. 

Prescriptions and NHS dental treatment are free while you are pregnant and for 12 months after you have given birth. Children also get free prescriptions until they are 16. To claim free prescriptions, ask your doctor or midwife for form FW8 and send it to your health authority. You will be sent an Exemption Certificate that lasts for a year after your due date.

To claim after your baby is born (if you didn’t claim while you were pregnant) fill in form A in leaflet P11 NHS Prescriptions, which you can get from your doctor or Jobcentre Plus. To claim for dental treatment, tick a box on a form provided by the dentist or show your Exemption Certificate.

Most of the links in this list take you to the Directgov website, where you'll find the most up-to-date information about rights and benefits, including those for pregnant women and parents. 

Healthy Start
Free milk, infant formula, vitamins, fruit and vegetables for pregnant women receiving certain benefits, and for all pregnant women under 18. This link takes you to the Healthy Start website. 

Tax credits
Child Tax Credit gives financial support for children, and Working Tax Credit helps people in lower-paid jobs by topping up their wages.

Statutory Maternity Pay
A weekly payment from your employer to help you take time off before and after your baby is born.

Maternity Allowance
If you're pregnant or have a new baby but don't qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, you might be able to claim Maternity Allowance through Jobcentre Plus.

Statutory Paternity Pay
If your wife, partner (including same-sex partner) or civil partner gives birth or adopts a child, you may be able to claim Statutory Paternity Pay to help you take time off work to support her.

Statutory Adoption Pay
A weekly payment from your employer to help you take time off if you adpot a child.

Sure Start Maternity Grant
If you're on a low income and get certain benefits or tax credits, and if there are no other children under 16 in your family, you could get this one-off payment.

Other financial help

Jobseeker's Allowance
The main benefit for people of working age who are out of work.

Income Support
If you can't be available for full-time work and haven't got enough money to live on, you might qualify for Income Support, depending on your circumstances.

Employment and Support Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance has replaced Income Support for those who can't work due to illness or disability.

Housing benefit
You might be eligible for help with all or part of your rent if you're on a low income.

Support for Mortgage Interest
Help with mortgage interest repayments if you receive certain benefits. 

Council Tax Benefit
You might be eligible for help with paying your council tax if your income is low.

Community Care Grants
Financial help to live independently in the community or to ease exceptional pressure on you and your family if you receive certain benefits.

Help with transport costs to hospital
You might be able to get help from the Hospital Travel Costs Scheme, depending on your circumstances.

Where to get help and support

You should get advice on benefits as soon as you find out you’re pregnant. Benefits have to be claimed on different forms, from different offices, depending on what you're claiming. Maternity rights are complex and sometimes change, so get further advice if you're not sure. There are many voluntary organisations that are happy to help, so don’t hesitate to ask for advice or get an opinion. You can contact any of the following organisations.

• Your local Jobcentre Plus, citizens advice bureau, library or other advice centre. To find local advice agencies, look in your Yellow Pages under Counselling and advice.
• Some local authorities have welfare rights officers. Phone your social services department and ask.
• Some voluntary organisations give information and advice on benefits and rights at work. Try Gingerbread and Working Families.
• For advice on rights at work call ACAS on 08457 474747.
• If you’re 19 or under, you can get advice on work, benefits and housing from Connexions direct or call 080 800 13219.