As soon as you know you are pregnant
Free prescriptions and dental treatment - during pregnancy and for one year after.
Free fares to hospital - if on Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, the Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit, or if your annual income is £15,050 (2005/06 figure) or less and you get Child Tax Credit only / Child Tax Credit plus Working Tax Credit / Working Tax Credit with a disability element
From 10 weeks into the pregnancy
Free milk tokens and vitamins - if on Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or the Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit.
See update 2 below
15 weeks before the baby is due
This is an important week in meeting the qualifying rules for Statutory Maternity Pay or Statutory Paternity Pay. You need to have been continuously employed by the same employer for at least 26 weeks, up to and including this qualifying week. You need to be employed for at least one day in the qualifying week.
If you plan to take maternity leave from 11 weeks before the week when your baby is due, you must have notified your employer by this week - that is 28 days before taking maternity leave.
Update 1 - The government has extended statutory maternity pay from six months to nine months for babies due on or after 1 April 2007, with the goal of a year's paid leave by the end of the current Parliament, along with other changes. Please get advice on the latest news.
11 weeks before the baby is due
This is the earliest point that Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance may be paid.
You can also claim a Sure Start Maternity Payment from the Social Fund at this point, but note that you need to be receiving a qualifying benefit or tax credit. The latest claim date is usually three months after the baby is born. If you claim before the birth and are refused a payment, but then only become entitled to a qualifying benefit or tax credit after the birth, you should reclaim the payment within 3 months of the award of the qualifying benefit or tax credit.
Birth - once the baby is born
Claim Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit or, if you still have allowances for other children included in your Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, an increase of Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance for your new baby.
When you are paid Child Benefit, the Inland Revenue should also automatically send you an application pack for a Child Trust Fund.
Check if you may now be entitled to benefits like Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.
If you are a lone parent and you claim Income Support after your child's birth, you are required to authorise the Child Support Agency to pursue the absent father for maintenance. You can ask to be exempt from this, if there is a risk that you or your child(ren) will suffer 'undue harm' or 'distress' if you name the absent parent.
Free milk tokens and vitamins - for children under 5 years, if you or your partner get Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, the Guarantee Credit of Pension Credit, or if you get the maximum rate of Child Tax Credit (because your annual income is not over £13,910 (2005/06 figure)) and you do not get Working Tax Credit.
Reduced cost dried milk - for children less than one year old, if you or your partner get Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit and annual income is not over £15,050 a year, or if getting Child Tax Credit and annual income is between £13,910 and £15,050 (all figures 2005/06).
Update 2 - The government plans to replace the current schemes for milk and vitamins. A 'Healthy Start' programme plans to replace milk tokens with weekly vouchers to exchange for fresh fruit, vegetables or milk. The new scheme should go national in late 2006.
Need more help? Live in Manchester? Send us an email or book an appointment with the Online Adviser
Need more help? Live in Manchester? Send us an email
Information Provider:
Manchester Advice
Date Reviewed:
30th June 2005
This information is for guidance only and is not an authoritative statement on the law. Please read our Terms and Conditions.
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