Finding out you’re expecting is such a huge moment. It’s exciting, emotional, and let’s be honest… a little overwhelming too.
Between midwife appointments, nursery planning, and trying to figure out what a newborn actually needs, the money side of things can easily feel like one big question mark.
The good news? There’s a lot of support out there for pregnant women in the UK. From maternity pay and grants, to free vitamins and healthy food schemes, and extra benefits.
I’ve rounded up what you can get in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and how to apply, all in this guide.
So grab a cuppa, pop your feet up, and let’s make this side of pregnancy a little less stressful.
What benefits am I eligible for while I’m pregnant?
Here is a list of all the benefits you can currently claim when pregnant. Some have certain criteria, so always check when you apply.
Statutory Maternity Pay for 39 weeks
If you’ve been working for the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the time you’re 15 weeks pregnant, you can get paid for up to 39 weeks of maternity leave.
The amount you’ll get is:
- First 6 weeks → 90% of your average weekly pay (before tax).
- Next 33 weeks → either a flat rate (set by the government each year) or 90% of your pay — whichever is lower.
👉 Top tip: You can start maternity leave from 11 weeks before your due date, or keep working as long as you want (as long as you’re well enough) to maximise your time with baby after they arrive.
To claim this, you’ll have to notify your employer of your pregnancy and prove your pregnancy by requesting a MAT1B form from your midwife or GP. These are usually given to you after your 20 week scan.
Your employer pays SMP through your usual payroll, so it feels like a normal wage. You’ll still get things like payslips, and tax and National Insurance will be taken off as usual.
This is available in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The .GOV page linked below will tell you everything you need to know about applying.
Maternity Allowance for 39 weeks
Not everyone qualifies for SMP. If you’re self-employed, freelance, or just started a new job, Maternity Allowance is available instead if you’ve paid enough National Insurance contributions.
You get £187.18 (£811 per mont) or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is less, for up to 39 weeks. You’ll have to submit a Maternity Allowance (MA1) form and send it to the address on the form.
For those with minimal contributions, the rate can be as low as £27 per week.
This is available for pregnant women in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
£500 Sure Start Maternity Grant
Did you know you could get a £500 Sure Start Maternity Grant if you’re expecting your first child or you or your partner claim certain benefits? If you’re eligible, this payment to help with the costs of a new baby.
You have to claim the grant within 11 weeks of the baby’s due date or within 6 months after the baby’s birth. It’s not a loan, so you don’t have to worry about paying it back, which can take some of the pressure off.
This is available for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland residents. Scottish residents can apply for a Best Start grant.
Free NHS prescriptions and dental care
If you’re pregnant, you can apply for a free maternity exemption certificate, which gives you free NHS prescriptions and dental care while you’re pregnant and for 12 months after your baby’s birth date.
You can apply through your midwife, usually at an early booking appointment. It’s often issued digitally now, but you can still get a paper card if you prefer.
Once it’s active, just show it at the pharmacy or dentist whenever they ask if you pay for your treatment.
👉 Top tip: Keep a photo of the certificate on your phone. Pharmacies and dentists just need to see the number, and it saves you carrying extra paperwork.
This can save you a lot of money on everything from iron or heartburn tablets, to fillings and deep teeth cleans!
Free vitamins and food with Healthy Start
You may be eligible for a Healthy Start card if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 and receive certain benefits. If you’re under 18 and pregnant, you automatically qualify.
You’ll receive a prepaid card that’s topped up every 4 weeks, which you can use in most supermarkets and shops to buy plain cow’s milk, fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables, and first infant formula.
You’ll also get access to free vitamins, including folic acid, vitamin C and vitamin D — all super important for your baby’s development and your own health during pregnancy.
👶 For more free stuff, check out my huge list of baby freebies you can claim right now in the UK.
This is available for English, Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Ireland residents. If you live in Scotland, you can apply for Best Start Foods.
Applying is pretty easy and can be done online through the NHS website. Once approved, your prepaid card arrives in the post, and you can start shopping straight away.
Child Benefit
Child Benefit is a payment from the UK government to help with the cost of raising children. You can usually claim it if you’re responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 if they’re in approved education or training).
It’s paid every 4 weeks, directly into your bank account, and there’s no limit to how many children you can claim for.
Anyone can claim, but if you or your partner earn over a certain amount, you may need to pay back some through tax.
To claim, you’ll need to fill out a simple online or paper form after your baby is born — or when a child comes to live with you. It’s best to apply as soon as possible because payments can be backdated for up to 3 months.
Once set up, it’s a steady, reliable payment that can make a real difference to your monthly budget. You can find the claim form and full details on the official UK government website on the link below.
This is available to all UK residents, including England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
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