Pregnant needing help - and wondering how you will manage?
Money now and after the birth of your baby - both legal and practical help
This website aims to point you in the right direction if you are pregnant and need financial, legal and practical help so that you will access money that will help now that you are pregnant.
It also covers a selection of personal situations you may find yourself in such as in work and concerned about your job or your tenancy, or you are a student and more.
And not only whilst you are pregnant but after you have had your baby and all the help you can get – financial and practical, childcare and much more.
♦ Your job.
♦ Your studies or plans to study.
♦ How you will afford childcare.
♦ Your tenancy and being evicted.
♦ Becoming homeless. Or you are homeless.
♦ Your debts.
♦ Your student debts.
♦ Your mortgage.
♦ A bad situation you need to get out of.
♦ Other difficulties.
Some legal protections ...
– You are legally protected against discrimination when pregnant and after you have had your baby.
– Additionally, you are also entitled to an assortment of benefits, grants, allowances and even loans.
More below…
There is help available in all situations
You could be wondering what being pregnant means for you as a tenant or you may even be homeless.
Alternatively, you could be on the verge of starting your studies or you are already studying.
You may even be in a situation you need to change, or get out of.
This website will aim point you to the help available.
Being pregnant and what it means for your job
Whilst you attend antenatal appointments you are entitled to paid time off
You can take time off from your job for maternity leave.
And it doesn’t matter how long or little you have worked for your employer, or whether you were full or part time.
Money is certainly to be on your mind!
There is financial help for you whilst you are pregant and after you have had your baby. Some depends on your working history, but not all.
There is a £500 Sure Start Grant to get you started. There are other benefits such as maternity allowance and housing benefit.
If you are remain working whilst you are pregnant there is help in the form of Tax Credits, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support and Universal Credit. Which is best for you, you will discover once you apply.
When your baby has arrived you can add on Child Benefit, Council Tax reduction (there may be provisos) and Housing Benefit. All depending on your personal circumstances.
In April 2024 help with childcare costs included 2 year olds, and more for 3 and 4 year olds was launched.
When your child is a little older but before school you will get more help with childcare costs and for more hours per week.
Legal facts for those in rented accomodation
Your landlord cannot evict you because you are pregnant. Being pregnant is a protected characteristic in law.
However, you can be evicted for lawful reasons, such as breach of contract.
Special help for students and those about to begin studying
The government and universities provide financial assistance and are very accomodating regarding deadlines for handing in work. Some universities provide dedicated accomodation for students with children.
There is more help once you have had your baby
There is help if you are hoping to begin your studies or if you are already a student.
All universities have a Pregnancy Policy and Procedures which provides help to students.
Nationwide grants and other financial support will be given to you. Also your particular university will offer further support and help.
As a student you should be able to enter your first year if you are pregnant, since pregnancy is a protected characteristic in law.
Read more on the government website about the financial help available to you.
The legal protections for you whilst you are pregnant AND after you have had your baby include the following situations:
♦ Your workplace.
♦ Your rented accommodation.
♦ A lease that is due to end.
♦ You need to pay your mortgage.
♦ You are a student or planning to be a student.
♦ You have debts.
♦ You have other children.
♦ You are unemployed.
♦ A relationship is in difficulties.
♦ You need to remove yourself from a bad situation.
♦ Your baby is not your partners.
♦ You dont’ want to stay with your partner.
♦ You are under pressure in some way.
♦ You are a teenager.
AND MORE…
Help with childcare costs
There is financial help from the government towards the cost of childcare.
In April 2024 help with childcare changed to provide childcare for younger children and offers more hours as well.
Browse the website dropdown menus ABOVE for more information
Read information on how to get financial and practical help before and after having your baby in your personal circumstances.