Pregnant women in the UK are being urged to check their eligibility for a range of financial support, with parenting experts at BabyCentre highlighting eight key benefits, grants, and freebies that expectant and new mothers may not know about.
Employment Rights and Health Perks
Employed women have a day-one legal right to paid time off at their normal hourly rate for medical appointments, midwife checks, and doctor-recommended parenting classes, and employers cannot ask them to make up these hours later. In England, pregnant women are entitled to free NHS prescriptions, a perk valid throughout pregnancy and for 12 months after birth; they can apply using an FW8 form from their midwife or GP to get a Maternity Exemption Certificate (MatEx). The same certificate, or the baby's birth certificate, also unlocks free NHS dental care for routine check-ups and standard treatments during pregnancy and up to 12 months postpartum.
Statutory Pay and Allowance
Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is available to employees who have been with their employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before their due date and meet minimum earnings thresholds. It is paid for up to 39 weeks: the first six weeks at 90% of average gross weekly earnings with no cap, and the remaining 33 weeks at the standard statutory rate or 90% of average weekly pay, whichever is lower. For those who are self-employed, freelance, or recently changed jobs, Maternity Allowance is paid by the government via Jobcentre Plus for up to 39 weeks, with claims possible from the 26th week of pregnancy and payments starting up to 11 weeks before the due date.
Food, Vitamins, and Lump-Sum Grants
The Healthy Start scheme, for those under 18 or receiving qualifying benefits, provides a weekly topped-up prepaid card from 10 weeks pregnant for essentials like cow's milk, infant formula, fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables, and pulses, plus free vitamins. The Sure Start Maternity Grant in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland offers a one-off, tax-free £500 lump sum for a first child if the parent receives eligible benefits, while Scotland's Best Start Grant provides £754.65. Once the baby is registered, Child Benefit is paid every four weeks at a fixed rate for the eldest or only child and a lower rate for subsequent children, and BabyCentre recommends claiming it promptly as it also protects State Pension National Insurance credits.
