Help for pregnant mothers

Sure Start Maternity Grant...

Financial help before and after giving birth

and other benefits before and after giving bith.

Sure Start Maternity Grant

includes Statutory Maternity Pay, Maternity Allowance, New Style Employment Support Allowance and Universal Credit.

Financial help before giving birth comes in the Sure Start Maternity Grant. It is a single payment from the government of £500.

There are conditions on receipt of the payment which are based on the type of benefit yourself or your partner is already getting. These include benefits such as Income Support and Universal Credit.

There is a deadline for starting your claim and an end date.

Statutory Maternity Pay

This benefit is dependent on your working history.

There are certain conditions regarding timescales and deadlines for application. 

Maternity Allowance

This benefit is also dependent on your working history.

There are certain conditions regarding timescales and deadlines for application. 

New Style Employment and Support Allowance

If you cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance.

If your personal circumstances mean that you cannot claim SMP or MA you may be able to claim for the New Style Employment and Support Allowance (NSESA). This allowance is dependent upon your previous National Insurance contributions.

Universal Credit

This benefit is usually available if your income is low or you are out of work or cannot work.

It goes towards helping with the cost of living.

There are other benefits that you may be able to claim.

Maternity Allowance, New Style Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit and more
Citizens Advice website lists financial help if you are pregnant and if you already have a child / children (which may apply in your circumstances): 

Guardian’s Allowance, if you’re responsible for a child whose parents have died.
Disability Living Allowance (DLA), if your child is under 16 years old and is ill, disabled or has a mental health condition.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP), if your child is aged 16 or over and is ill, disabled or has a mental health condition.
Carer’s Allowance, if your child gets DLA or PIP.
 

Healthy Start

You can apply for the Healthy Heart Scheme if you are over 10 weeks pregnant and if you have a child under the age of 4 years.
Healthy start scheme when you are pregnant
The scheme enables you to:

Buy healthy foods such as milk or fruit.

Get free vitamins. There are stipulations for getting this assistance – click link above. If you are under 18 years old and pregnant you can claim without any stipulations.

Free NHS prescriptions and NHS dental care

If you are pregnant or have had a baby in the previous 12 months you are entitled to free dental treatment. 

Free NHS prescriptions and NHS dental care when you are pregant and for a time after you have had your baby

So you wont have the added concern about paying for you dental care or prescriptions for yourself if  you are ill.

Children Under 16 and those aged 16-18 and in full time education get free prescriptions.

Help with fares to hospital

You can claim a refund of the cheapest travel costs that you have paid out for hospital visits including your antenatal appointments.

help with fares to the hospital when you are pregnant

Free bus travel to appointments and antenatal appointments is great help. 

Browse the website for more information including...

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