Financial support for growing families

We’re by your side to help you understand your next financial steps if you find out you’re expecting.

 

We can help you understand:

  • paid time off for antenatal care
  • maternity leave and allowances
  • employee protection
  • paternity leave and shared parental leave
  • adoption leave and pay.

Maternity and paternity rights if you are employed

These links will take you to other websites.

Paid time off for antenatal care

If you’re working, you can get paid time off for antenatal care, no matter how long you’ve been in your job. This is in addition to annual leave.

Pregnant employee rights

Maternity leave

You’re entitled to a year’s maternity leave. You don’t have to take the full year, but you must take at least two weeks off work following the birth of your baby.

Maternity leave eligibility

Statutory Maternity Pay

If you decide to take maternity leave, you could get the legal minimum of up to 39 weeks Statutory Maternity Pay if you’re eligible.

Statutory Maternity Pay

Maternity Allowance

If you don’t qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, you can apply for Maternity Allowance. How much you get depends on how much you earn and how much National Insurance you’ve paid.

Maternity Allowance

Employee protection

The Equality Act 2010 protects pregnant employees from discrimination in the workplace. 

Employment rights

Paternity leave

When your partner gives birth, if you adopt a child or have a baby by surrogate, you may be entitled to one or two weeks paternity leave and paternity pay.

Paternity pay and leave

Shared parental leave

New parents may be able to use shared parental leave. This allows you to share up to 50 weeks of parental leave, and 37 weeks of pay with your partner.

Shared parental leave

Statutory Adoption Pay and Leave

If you are adopting, you can also claim Statutory Adoption Pay and Leave. However, be aware that some rules may be different.

Adoption leave and pay

Good to know

  • Financial support is available if you are on a low income or unemployed.
  • You may also qualify for further benefits such as Jobseekers Allowance or Cost of Living payments.
  • See the GOV.UK benefits calculator to see what support you could get.
  • Find free independent advice from friendly organisations and charities.

Universal Credit

If you’re unemployed or on a very low income and don’t qualify for Maternity Allowance or Statutory Maternity Pay, you may be entitled to Universal Credit.

Universal Credit

Sure Start Maternity Grant

This is a one-off payment of £500 from the Social Fund, to help with the cost of your baby. To qualify, you must have no other children under 16, and you or your partner must claim other benefits.

Am I eligible?

Childcare options and support

These links will take you to other websites.

Free childcare

All 3 and 4 year olds in the UK are offered 15 or 30 hours of free childcare or early support. The hours can be used at one or more types of registered childcare providers

Check your eligibility

Tax-free childcare

Tax-free childcare is a government scheme to help working parents, including the self-employed. It can be used at the same time as the 15 or 30 hours of free childcare. However, it can’t be used at the same time as childcare vouchers, Universal Credit or tax credits.

Childcare Choices

Free prescriptions and NHS dental care

In England, you can get free prescriptions and NHS dental treatment throughout your pregnancy, up until your baby is 12 months old. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are always free.

What am I entitled to?

Healthy Start scheme

This is an NHS scheme, giving eligible families with young children (or expecting a child) financial support to buy ‘healthy’ foods such as fruit, vegetables and milk.

Check your eligibility

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