If you're pregnant or have a new baby there are a range of monetary and health benefits that you may be entitled to. On this page we've included a summary of these plus links to sites that offer more detailed information and advice.

Free Prescriptions and NHS Dental Treatment

All women are entitled to free prescriptions and free NHS dental care during pregnancy and for 12 months after the birth of their baby. You will need to obtain your exemption certificate from your Health Authority and your midwife or GP will give you the application form for this - ask for it when you first visit your Dr or at your 'Booking-in' appointment.

Child Benefit

Child Benefit is a paid to people bringing up children. It is paid for each child and is not affected by income or savings.

The current benefit paid is £16.50 per week for the eldest child who qualifies and £11.05 for each other child who qualifies.

You should submit a claim as soon as your child is born. To request a claim pack contact your local Child Benefit Office via the following numbers:

Great Britain Resident 0845 302 1444/ Textphone: 0845 302 1474

Northern Ireland Residents - Tel: 0845 603 2000/ Textphone: 0845 607 6078

You may receive a claim pack with your Bounty Pack from the hospital.

For more information or to submit a claim online visit www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/childbenefit/

Sure Start Maternity Grants

Sure Start Maternity Grants are provided by the Government to help with the cost of new things for a baby. You receive a one off payment that doesn't have to be paid back.

You can claim the Grant if you or your partner are getting:

• Income Support;
• Income-based Job Seekers Allowance;
• Working Families' Tax Credit;
• Disabled Person's Tax Credit.

The rules for benefits mean that your individual circumstances may affect the amount you get but the guidelines issued by the Government set the grants at £300 to £500.

You can claim from 11 weeks before the week your baby is due, until 3 months after the baby is born. Contact your social security office for a claim form, you should find them in the phone book under Benefits Agency, Jobcentre Plus, or Social Security.

For more information visit www.dwp.gov.uk

Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit

Child Tax Credit is for people who are responsible for at least one child or qualifying young person. Child Tax Credit is paid direct to the person who is mainly responsible for caring for the child or children.

If you plan to return to work you may be entitled to Working Tax Credit and as part of this you may also qualify for extra help towards the costs of childcare. If you do qualify, the total amount of help you receive will depend on your income.

The amount of any tax credits you receive will depend on your annual income. For more information visit www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk

Child Trust Funds

In April 2005, the Government will launch the Child Trust Fund, a new long-term savings and investment account for children. The Child Trust Fund (CTF) is designed to give children a financial head start in life and to help teach them the value of saving.

Children born on or after 1st September 2002 are eligible if Child Benefit has been awarded for them, they live in the UK and are not subject to immigration restrictions.

All eligible children will automatically receive a £250 voucher from the Government to kick-start their CTF account. An additional £250 will be paid into the accounts of children in families eligible for full Child Tax Credit (CTC), because their household income is at or below the CTC income threshold (currently £13, 480) when the Child Benefit is first awarded.

Once Child Benefit is awarded the Inland Revenue will automatically send parents a CTF voucher that they can only use to open their child's account. There is not just one CTF account, people will have to choose from different types of account available from a range of CTF providers, e.g. banks and building societies.

We have more information about Child Trust Funds

Your views and comments

Why does it seem that people are better off not working, as people on other benefits and thatare out of work are eligable for more money than people who do not work.

Such as myself I am full time and will be going on maternity in 3-4 weeks. then eventually when I go back will have to go back part time. it's sickening.

I have had nothing but stress with claiming benefits I KNOW I'm intitled to. I have had been told when I first put in a claim that I was intitled to that benefit when I went for an interview I was told that I shouldnt be claiming that benefit... Its caused me so much stress and anxiety that I start resenting my baby! I know I love it and love the thought of being a mum but sometimes stress and depression take over. Nobody tells you anything and then if they do someone else tells you something else! pointless! - Jazzine

I found it to be a really struggle to claim any of the benefits I was entitled to. Endless paper work was sent and wrong information taken down by people I spoke to, I feel sorry for people who have to deal with these people everyday because they just do not listen to what you say."

As new parents, we were advised on all types of benefits we could claim for, when you read the leaflets, they sound so supportive and you look forward to a little bit of financial help, after all we contribute enough tax from our wage packets!

After hours of form filling, telephone calls, being placed on hold, told conflicting information, stress etc.. you feel like you are being backed into a corner so that in the end you give up and end up not claiming for benefits that you are entitled to, o missing deadlines!

The worst experience wwas when we applied for the Sure Start maternity grant, so far it has taken me 2 months and 3 hours worth of phone calls and guess what, we're still waiting!!

Information Link

The Maternity Alliance

The Maternity Alliance is a national charity working to end inequality and promote the well being of all pregnant women, new parents and their babies.

Their web site has an excellent section containing the latest information on benefits & tax credits for parents and parents-to-be, including a whole series of factsheets.

The Maternity Alliance
Third Floor West
2-6 Northburgh Street
London
EC1V 0AY

Office: 020 7490 7639

Information Line - 020 7490 7638

Fax: 020 7014 1350

www.maternityalliance.org.uk