Pregnancy and funding

There are a number of financial options available to support you when you are pregnant.

Free prescriptions and NHS dental treatment

You are entitled to free NHS prescriptions and NHS dental treatment whilst you are pregnant and for 12 months after the birth of your baby. You should ask your doctor or midwife for form FW8 so that you can apply for your maternity exemption.

• Getting help with health costs
• Dental treatment

International students

If you are an international student and your visa states that you have 'no recourse to public funds', then you are still able to claim free prescriptions and NHS dental treatment as this is not counted as 'public funds'.

Sure Start Maternity Grant

Sure Start Maternity Grant can be claimed from 11 weeks before birth to three months after. It is a £500 grant payable to those who receive (or whose partner receives):

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element
• Working Tax Credit where a disability or severe disability element is included in the award

International students

If you are an international student and your visa states that you have 'no recourse to public funds' then you can not claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant. Contact us for more information.

Healthy Start Scheme

The Healthy Start Scheme is a weekly voucher scheme for those who receive (or whose partner receives):

• Income-based Employment Support Allowance or Jobseekers Allowance
• Income Support
• Child Tax Credits (with a family income of less than £16,190p/a)
• Working Tax Credit (run-on only)
• Vouchers are worth £3.10 each and are redeemable for milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, infant formula milk and vitamins

International students

If you are an international student and your visa states that you have 'no recourse to public funds' then you can not claim vouchers from the Healthy Start Scheme. Contact us for more information.

Child benefit

Child Benefit is a weekly or monthly benefit paid to you to help towards the upkeep of your child so long as they are:

• aged under 16
• over 16 but under 20 - and are in education or training that counts for Child Benefit
• under 18 and have recently left education or training - but they must have registered for work, education or training with a careers service, Connexions, Ministry of Defence or similar

The amount you will receive is £20.70 per week for your eldest child and £13.74 per week for subsequent children. You should apply as soon as possible after your child is born to avoid losing out on money available to you.

International students

If you are an international student and your visa states that you have 'no recourse to public funds' then you should not claim child benefit as this could jeopardise your immigration permission. Contact us for more information.

Tax credits

Tax credits are payments from the government for those with children or low-paid employment. The amount and type of tax credit you are eligible for depends on:

• how many children you have living with you
• whether you work - and how many hours you work
• if you pay for childcare
• if you or any child living with you has a disability
• if you're aged 50 plus and are coming off benefits
• your income

International students

If you are an international student and your visa states that you have 'no recourse to public funds' then you should not claim tax credits as this could jeopardise your immigration permission. Contact us for more information.

Employed students

Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is a weekly payment from your employer for up to 39 weeks, starting when you commence your maternity leave. For the first six weeks you will receive 90% of your average gross weekly earnings, for the remaining 33 weeks you will receive either the standard rate of £145.18, or 90% of your average gross weekly earnings (whichever is the lower amount). Follow the link to check your eligibility.

If you do not qualify for SMP you may still be eligible for Maternity Allowance

International students

If you are an international student and your visa states that you have 'no recourse to public funds' then you may still be able to claim SMP or Maternity Allowance as it is not counted as 'public funds'.