Get help with money if you're pregnant

There are 2 main types of help you can get with money if you're pregnant:

• payments you can claim whether you're in work or not, such as Pregnancy and Baby Payment or Best Start Foods
• paid time off, known as 'maternity pay'

What you can claim

Pregnancy and Baby Payment

You can get up to £754.65 if:

• you're going to have a baby
• you've had a baby in the last 6 months
• you've just started looking after a baby or young child who is not yours

Find out more about Pregnancy and Baby Payment.

Best Start Foods

Best Start Foods is a payment that can help you buy healthy foods like milk or fruit during pregnancy and when your child is under 3.

You’ll get the payments on a prepaid card you can use in shops and online.

Find out about Best Start Foods.

Paid time off

Maternity pay

Your contract will tell you what paid time off you can get when:

• you're pregnant
• after you've given birth

If you're not sure you can ask your manager or HR.

If where you work does not offer paid leave for pregnant women you can apply for 'Statutory Maternity Pay'.

Statutory Maternity Pay

You can get Statutory Maternity Pay for up to 39 weeks while you have your baby. It is paid in the same way as you get your wages.

Find out more about statutory maternity pay on GOV.UK.

Maternity Allowance

You can get Maternity Allowance if you're not able to get Statutory Maternity Pay.

Find out more about Maternity Allowance on GOV.UK.