Expecting a child
If you are expecting a child through birth or adoption, there may be benefits, grants or other financial support available to you.
Benefits
To check what benefits you might be entitled to quickly and easily, you can use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator. Your benefit entitlement might be different immediately before the baby is born, after the baby is born, when your entitlement to Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance changes, and when you go back to work. If you're trying to plan your finances, you might need to run a few different benefit calculations for different stages.
To read more about the benefits available if you are expecting a child through birth or adoption, select from the list below:
Turn2us Benefits Calculator
To check what benefits you might be entitled to quickly and easily, you can use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator.
Statutory Adoption Pay
If you have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks by the week you are matched with a child for adoption by an adoption agency and you earn an average of at least £123 a week before tax.
Statutory Maternity Pay
If you have worked for the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the time you are 15 weeks away from the date your baby is due and you earn more than £123 a week before tax.
Statutory Paternity Pay
If you are a working father, or the partner of a woman having a child (including a same-sex partner) and you have been working for the same employer without a break for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due. You must also carry on working for that employer without a break up to the date the child is born or placed with you for adoption. You must also be earning an average of at least £123 a week before tax.
Statutory Shared Parental Leave and Pay
If you live with a partner who is entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay, Maternity Allowance or Statutory Adoption Pay; and you have worked for the same employer for more than 26 weeks by the time the baby is due; and you earn more than £123 a week before tax, your partner can choose to share some of their leave and pay period with you.
Maternity Allowance
If you are pregnant and you do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay from your employer or if you are self-employed.
Do you have a work coach?
If you have a work coach, you should let them know when you are pregnant and when the baby is due.
Telling Universal Credit you're pregnant
At 20 weeks pregnant you should be given your Maternity Certificate (MAT B1 form) from your midwife. You should report this on your journal.
If you aren't working and aren't exempt from work searching, you will be expected to keep looking for a job until you are 29 weeks pregnant, unless doing so would risk your health or your baby's health.
Related information
Bringing up a child
If you are bringing up or expecting a child, there may be benefits, grants or other financial support available to you.
Healthy Start Scheme - England, Wales, Northern Ireland
If you are pregnant or have a child under four years old and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you could get help from Healthy Start Scheme to buy some basic foods.
Sure Start Maternity Grant
A Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment to help with the costs of having a new baby (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
Best Start Foods - Scotland
Best Start Foods is a Scottish government scheme to help pregnant people and young children afford healthy food.
Best Start Grants Scotland
Grants for babies and children in Scotland.
Grants
To find out what help may be available from grant-giving charities, you can use the Turn2us Grants Search.
Advice and support
Turn2us is unable to offer advice on individual situations. To find an adviser in your area to discuss your situation with, you can use our Find an Adviser tool.