Maternity and paternity benefits and allowances 2024

Understanding what you're entitled to when you’re pregnant, on maternity leave and after your baby is born can be confusing. Here's everything you need to know about benefits and allowances for pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Benefits for all pregnant women: free prescriptions and NHS dental treatment

What is it?
You’re entitled to free NHS dental care in the UK while you’re pregnant and for a year after your baby is born.

In England, you’re also entitled to free prescriptions while you’re pregnant and for a year after your baby is born. This could save you £9.65 per prescription.

However you need to have a valid Maternity Exemption Certificate.

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, you’re entitled to free prescriptions at all times.

Who gets it?
Women who are pregnant or who gave birth less than a year ago.

How to claim
Ask your doctor or midwife to fill in a Maternity Exemption application form for you.

You’ll then receive your certificate via email or in the post, which you’ll need to show when picking up any prescriptions or making a dental appointment.

Benefits if you’re working: paid time off for antenatal care

What is it?
No matter how long you’ve been in your job, you're entitled to reasonable time off – with pay – to go to your antenatal appointments.

Antenatal care includes:

• Medical and midwife appointments.
• Doctor-recommended appointments like relaxation or parenting classes.

The father or pregnant woman’s partner has the right to unpaid time off work to go to two antenatal appointments.

Who gets it?
Employed pregnant women.

How to claim
Tell your employer when your antenatal appointments are happening. Try to give them as much notice as you can to help with work planning.

Benefits if you’re working: Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) and Leave

How does Maternity Leave work?

When you have a baby, you’re entitled to 52 weeks of maternity leave. It’s made up of:

• Ordinary Maternity Leave – first 26 weeks
• Additional Maternity Leave – last 26 weeks

You don’t have to take this much, but you do have to take two weeks off after the birth of your baby (or four weeks if you work in a factory).

How does Statutory Maternity Pay work?

You’re entitled to pay from your employer for up to 39 weeks while you’re on leave – however, you’ll only receive this pay if you’re eligible,

SMP is for employed pregnant women and to get it you must have:

• been working for your employer for at least 26 weeks when you reach the 15th week before your due date
• average earnings of at least £123 per week
• given your employer the correct notice and proof that you're pregnant

How much is Statutory Maternity Pay?

You get Statutory Maternity Pay for 39 weeks of your 52-week maternity leave.

Here's how much SMP you'll get you’ll get at each stage of maternity leave in the 2023-24 tax year:

• 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first 6 weeks
• £172.48 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks.

From April 2024, £172.48 will increase to £184.03.

SMP is paid in the same way as your wages (for example monthly or weekly). Tax and National Insurance will be deducted.

SMP is the minimum amount your employer has to pay you. Check what’s written in your employment contract – your employer might offer maternity benefits that are more generous than Statutory Maternity Pay.

However, be aware that if you decide not to return to work after 52 weeks, you might have to pay back any extra money. You will get to keep the rest so even if you’re not sure about returning, it’s still worth claiming.

How do I claim Statutory Maternity Pay?

You need to tell your employer when you want to start your maternity leave at least 15 weeks before your due date.

Your employer must then write to you within 28 days confirming your start and end dates.

You need to give your employer at least 28 days’ notice that you want to start Statutory Maternity Pay, and give them proof that you’re pregnant, such as your MATB1 certificate (available from your midwife or GP).

Your employer must confirm within 28 days how much SMP you’ll get and when it will start and stop.

When do I get Statutory Maternity Pay?

SMP usually starts when you take your maternity leave.

It starts automatically if you’re off work for a pregnancy-related illness in the 4 weeks before the week (Sunday to Saturday) that your baby is due.

Benefits if you’re working: Maternity Allowance

What is Maternity Allowance?

Maternity Allowance is for pregnant women and new mums who can’t claim Statutory Maternity Pay because:

• you haven’t worked for your employer for long enough
• you’re self-employed
• you've recently stopped working
• you do unpaid work for your spouse or civil partner's business

However, you won’t usually get Maternity Allowance if you’re unemployed, or if you haven't earned at least £30 a week for 13 out of the 66 weeks before your baby's born. You may still quality if you're recently stopped working.

How much is Maternity Allowance?

The amount you can get depends on your circumstances. In the 2023-2024 tax year you could get either:

• £172.48 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is less) for up to 39 weeks
• £27 – £172.48 a week for up to 39 weeks
• £27 a week for 14 weeks

From April 2024, £172.48 will increase to £184.03.

Find out exactly how much you could get on the government website.

How do I claim Maternity Allowance?

To claim, fill in the Maternity Allowance (MA1) claim form (you can get this on the government website), or call Jobcentre Plus (0800 055 6688) or Jobs and Benefits Office in Northern Ireland (0300 200 7822) for a form.

You need to provide:

• Proof of your income, such as original payslips or a Certificate of Small Earnings Exemption.
• Proof of your baby’s due date, such as a letter from the doctor or midwife or your MATB1 certificate.
• Your SMP1 form if you were refused Statutory Maternity Pay by your employer.

When do I get Maternity Allowance?

You can claim Maternity Allowance as soon as you have been pregnant for 26 weeks. Payments can start 11 weeks before your baby is due.

Maternity Allowance is paid straight into your bank account, building society or credit union account every two or four weeks.

Benefits if you’re working: Paternity Leave and Pay

How does Paternity Leave work?

Paternity Leave is where partners are entitled to one or two weeks’ paid time off work to help look after your new baby.

You must be the child’s biological father or adopter, the mother’s partner or the intended parent (if you’re having a baby through surrogacy).

You must also:

• Have worked for your employer for 26 weeks by the 15th week before the baby is due
• Be employed by your employer until the baby is born
• Earn at least £123 per week (before tax)

There are different rules if you adopt.

You can also get time off to accompany your partner (or the surrogate mother) to two antenatal appointments.

How much is Paternity Pay?

You get Paternity Pay for one or two weeks of your paternity leave.

In the tax year 2023-24 you’ll get £172.48 per week or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.

From April 2024, £172.48 will increase to £184.03.

How do I claim Paternity Pay?

You’ll need to fill in the online form at least 15 weeks before the week your baby is due. You can get the form on the government website. Some employers use their own form instead, so check with your employer first.

Benefits if you’re working: Shared Parental Leave (SPL) and Pay

How does Shared Parental Leave work?

Up to 50 weeks' parental leave and 37 weeks' pay shared with your partner if you’re eligible.

Both must be taken between the baby’s birth and first birthday, or within one year of adoption.

Who gets it?
To qualify for Shared Parental Leave, you must share responsibility for your child with either:

• your husband, wife, civil partner or joint adopter
• your child’s other parent
• your partner (if they live with you and the child)

You or your partner must be eligible for maternity pay or leave, adoption pay or leave or Maternity Allowance.

If you want to share the SPL and pay, you must:

• both have been employed continuously by the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the due date (or by the date you’re matched with your adopted child).
• you must each earn an average of at least £123 per week

The requirements are different if one of you wants to take all the leave and pay. See details on the government website.

Ending other allowances
Before either parent can get Shared Parental Leave or Pay, as your child’s mother, you have to end your maternity leave and maternity pay or Maternity Allowance.

How much is Statutory Shared Parental Pay?

Each parent qualifies separately for Statutory Shared Parental Pay.

In the 2023-24 tax year you’ll get £172.48 per week, or 90% of your average weekly earnings, whichever is lower.

From April 2024, £172.48 will increase to £184.03.

How do I claim Statutory Shared Parental Pay?

You must give notice to your employer in writing if you want Statutory Shared Parental Leave and Pay.

You can get downloadable forms to give notice from the government website.

Benefits if you're working: Statutory Adoption Leave and Pay

What is Statutory Adoption Leave and Pay?

When you adopt or have a child through surrogacy, you’re entitled to a year off work and up to 39 weeks’ Statutory Adoption Pay.

Only one person in a couple can take adoption leave and pay. The other person could be eligible for paternity leave and pay.

To qualify, you must be an employee and have been:

• working for your employer for 26 weeks by the time you’re matched with a child or by the 15th week before the baby is due
• earning an average of at least £123 per week before tax

You won't be eligible for Statutory Adoption Leave or Pay if you:

• arrange a private adoption
• become a special guardian or kinship carer
• adopt a stepchild
• adopt a family member

How much is Statutory Adoption Pay?

Statutory Adoption Pay (SAP) for employees is 90% of their gross average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks, then £172.48 a week or 90% of their gross average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks.

From April 2024, £172.48 will increase to £184.03.

Tax and National Insurance need to be deducted.

Check your contract – you may get more pay if your employer has a company adoption pay scheme.

And be aware that your employer can’t offer you less than the statutory amount.

How do I claim Statutory Adoption Pay?

Tell your employer that you want to take adoption leave and when you want it to start.

You should tell them within seven days of being told by the adoption agency that you’ve been matched with a child.

If you use a surrogate to have a baby, tell your employer the due date and when you want to start your leave at least 15 weeks before the baby is due.

Learn more about how to claim, and what proof you'll need, on the government website.

Child Benefit

What is Child Benefit?

Child Benefit is payment from the government to help with the cost of raising a child. Anyone responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 if they’re in education or training) is eligible.

Be aware that if either you or your partner have an income of more than £50,000 a year, you’ll have to pay back some or all of your Child Benefit in the form of extra Income Tax.

How much is Child Benefit?

The rates for 2023-24 are:

• £24 per week for the eldest or only child
• £15.90 per week for each additional child

From early April 2024, the rates will rise to:

• £25.60 per week for the eldest or only child
• £16.95 per week for each additional child

How can I claim Child Benefit?

You can claim as soon as you've registered your child's birth. Claim online here, or download a claim form (CH2) from GOV.UK

Universal Credit

What is Universal Credit?

Universal Credit (UC) is the most common type of benefit offered in the UK. It's a single monthly payment for people out of work, or on a low income. Exactly how much you'll get depends on your circumstances.

If you're already getting Universal Credit, and apply for Maternity, Paternity, Shared Parental or Adoption Pay, the amount of money you receive each month may change. However, you should usually still receive at least as much as you did before.

If you're not currently receiving Universal Credit, use the benefits calculator on the government website to see if you could be better off if you do apply.

Working Tax Credit

What is Working Tax Credit?

Working Tax Credit is a payment from the government to help top up your earnings. For most people, this has now been replaced by Universal Credit.

You can only make a new claim for Working Tax Credit if you already get Child Tax Credit. If you think you may be eligible, find out more about Working Tax Credit on the government website.

If you cannot make a new claim for Working Tax Credit, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit.

Child Tax Credit

What is Child Tax Credit?

An annual payment from the government to help with the cost of raising a child. Child Tax Credit has been replaced by Universal Credit for most people.

You can only make a new claim for Child Tax Credit if you already get Working Tax Credit. If you think you may be eligible, find out more about Child Tax Credit on the government website.

If you cannot make a new claim for Child Tax Credit, you may be able to apply for Universal Credit.

Benefits if you’re on a low income or claiming benefits: Healthy Start food vouchers

What are Healthy Start food vouchers?

Healthy Start Food vouchers are weekly vouchers to help pregnant women and parents of young children afford healthy food including milk, fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables, infant formula and vitamins.

You’ll get the vouchers if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under four, and you or your family get one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit (if your family's monthly earned income is no more than £408)
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Child Tax Credit (if your family's income is no more than £16,190)
• Pension Credit

If you’re under 18 and pregnant you can also get Healthy Start vouchers, even if you don’t get any of the above benefits.

How much are Healthy Start food vouchers?

Pregnant women and children aged 1 to 4 get one £4.25 voucher per week.

Children under 1 get two £4.25 vouchers (£8.50) per week.

How do I claim Healthy Start food vouchers?

You can apply online here.

If you have any questions, speak to your midwife, health visitor or doctor, email healthy.start@nhsbsa.nhs.uk or call Healthy Start on 0300 330 7010.

Benefits if you’re on a low income or claiming benefits: Sure Start Maternity Grant

What is the Sure Start Maternity Grant?

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment to help towards the cost of having a baby.

You’ll get the grant if your new baby is the only child under 16 in your family and you or your partner gets one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit which includes a disability or severe disability element

Even if you have other children under 16, you may still be able to claim in certain circumstances, such as if you're having twins or more. There are more rules if you’re adopting or becoming a surrogate parent. Learn more about eligibility on the government website.

How much is the Sure Start Maternity Grant?

The grant is £500 that you don't have to pay back. It won’t affect your other benefits or tax credits.

How do I claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant?

You can claim from 11 weeks before the week your baby is due. The latest you can claim is six months after your baby is born.

If you live in England or Wales, fill in the Sure Start Maternity Grant (SF100) claim form

If you live in Northern Ireland you can download a claim pack from nidirect.

If you live in Scotland, you can't claim a Sure Start Maternity Grant, but you can apply for a Pregnancy and Baby Payment instead. Learn more on the Scottish government website.

Benefits if you're studying

If you’re at school, college or university and have a child, you could qualify for financial help to cover everything from living expenses and learning costs, to travel and childcare.

Visit the Money Helper website for more information about benefits when you're studying and have a baby.

More help and advice

The following links can help you find out exactly what you're entitled to:

• Use a benefits calculator on the government website
• Find out about becoming a parent on the Money Advice website
• Contact Citizens Advice to talk to a trained advisor

Are you expecting and want to know more about your rights and allowances? Or want to chat to other parents' experiences? Join our chat below:

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