Whatever the circumstance or situation you find yourself in whilst pregnant, whether alone or supported by a partner, family or friends. We want you to know, you can do this! 

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Parenting can be a challenge and the cost to raise a child can be expensive if you have little or no support. But the good thing is, there are so many great rewards to raising a child - the good outweighs the bad. The sacrifices you make in exchange to raise your child and watch them grow, learn and develop into their own little person - is priceless.

 

There are different forms of support for single parents or two parent families to be accessed - and we want to help you find them. 

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If you have a low income and don't think you can afford to keep your baby, then take a look at the options available to those who struggle financially and are in need of extra support - more information below.

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(Please note all words that are in a different colour have links attached that will take you to the website that we have referred to). 

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PREGNANCY CENTRES

Pregnancy centres offer free support and counselling. You can also find information about some practical support you can receive too i.e. baby equipment, baby clothes, nappies, etc. 

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FREE BABY ITEMS

There are a few organisations that provide free essential packages that are available to women during their pregnancy to help prepare for the new arrival of their baby - to find out what these packs are and how to claim them please check out this page Made For Mums

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GOVERMENT HELP

If you check out Money Advice Service Help they will create a timeline of information for you to find out what benefits or help is available if you qualify. All you have to do is put in the due date of your baby and if you are on a low income, or have no recourse to public funds then you may qualify for financial support. 

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FREE NHS PRESCRIPTIONS AND DENTAL TREATMENT

If you are pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months, you are entitled to a Maternity Exemption Certificate which will last until your baby is 1 years old. This certificate will entitle you to free prescriptions and free dental treatment. You can get the Maternity Exemption Certificate application form from your Midwife or Doctor - they will need to sign it and send it off for you.

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HEALTHY START

If you are pregnant and on a low income or on benefits you could qualify for Healthy Start vouchers. These are vouchers you get every week and the vouchers can be exchanged for milk, fresh, frozen or tinned fruit & vegetables, fresh, dried and tinned pulses, infant formula, and vitamins. Visit Healthy Start for information on how to apply and to check if you qualify.​

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WORKING & HAVING A BABY

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PAID TIME OFF FOR ANTENATAL CARE

As an expectant mother you have the right to take paid time off work for your antenatal appointments this is in addition to your annual leave, the time is NOT to be taken out of your annual leave. This time covers any medical and/or midwife appointments, and doctor-recommended appointments such as, relaxation and parenting classes - Your time off needs should include your travel time to and from appointments. 

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The baby's father can take unpaid time off work to go with you on two of these appointments (max time allowed is 6hrs 30mins for each appointment). 

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If you have antenatal appointments let your employer know in advance of the dates and times of your antenatal appointments, try to give them as much notice as possible to help with work planning. If possible it might be best to go during quiet times in work or outside working hours if this is possible.

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For more information regarding paid time off work for antenatal appointments please check out Pregnant Employee Rights 

for those living in Northern Ireland please check out your Rights.

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STATUATORY MATERNITY LEAVE AND PAY

 

When you've had your baby you are entitled to a year's maternity leave and pay from your employer for up to 39 weeks while you're on leave if you are eligible. 

 

To get Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) you need to earn at least £120 per week and you must have been working for your employer for at least 26 weeks - If you qualify you get SMP for 39 weeks of your 52 week maternity leave. 

 

For more information and help on what to do if you are not eligible for SMP. Check out Maternity Pay & Leave and

Paternity Pay & Leave if you want to know what the child's Father is entitled to and know more about Shared Parental Leave. 

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WORKING TAX CREDIT

This is a payment from the government to help top up your earnings if you currently work and are on a low income. It is now being replaced by Universal Credit. Most people have to make a claim for Universal Credit instead of Working Tax Credit - To find out if you are entitled to this benefit check out Universal Credit 

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EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT ALLOWANCE (ESA)

Income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is being replaced by Universal Credit and most people will have to claim this instead. However, if you have made enough National Insurance Contributions, you might qualify for new style ESA. If you need extra support with other costs, such as your rent or bringing up children, you may be able to claim Universal Credit alongside new-style ESA after reading the eligibity section and how to apply section just go to the bottom of the page and click the apply now button.

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SURE START MATERNITY GRANT

This is a one off £500 payment from the social fund to help with the cost of your baby. (If you live in Scotland this has been replaced with the Best Start Grant). 

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You'll get the Sure Start Maternity Grant if your new baby is the only child under 16 in your family and you or your partner are getting one of these following benefits:

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• Pension Credit

• Income Support

• Universal Credit

• Income-based Job Seeker's Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance 

• Child Tax Credit at a higher rate than the family element

• Working Tax Credit which includes a disability or severe disability element

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For more information and how to claim check out Sure Start Maternity Grant on the government website. For more information on Scotland's Best Start Grant click here

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CHILD BENEFIT

If you are responsible for a child under 16 or (under 20 if they are in full time education or training) then you are entitled to child benefit which is a regular payment from the government to help with the cost of raising a child. Only one person can claim child benefit and you can claim for at least 2 children possibly more depending on if you meet the eligibility criteria - check out claiming Child Benefit Forms 

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STUDYING & HAVING A BABY

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CARE TO LEARN

If you are at school or college and having or have a child then you may be entitled to some financial help from the Care to Learn scheme from the government. You must be under 20 years of age at the start of your course. The scheme is for anyone who is studying a publicly funded course in England (so any course in a school or college). For more information please check out the Care To Learn scheme on the government website. 

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PARENT'S LEARNING ALLOWANCE

If you are studying at university and you are pregnant or you already have a child, you may be entitled to some financial help from the Parent's Learning Allowance from the government. If you are a student from England and studying a full time under-graduate course or an Initial Teacher Training (ITT) course, you do not need to be paying for childcare to qualify - For more info and how to claim check out the Parent's Learning Allowance on the government website. 

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ALMA MATER FUND 

This is a service provided by SPUC to pregnant university students in the UK who may be struggling financially. This fund gives practical and financial support. To find out how to apply please check out more information on the SPUC website Alma Mater Fund or Call, Text or WhatsApp: 07849 088 244 Email: info@almamaterfund.org.uk Find them on Instagram and Facebook

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FREE ITEMS,VOUCHERS & DISCOUNTS

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•  Cow and Gate (C&G)  if you sign up to their C&G club you will get helpful emails, non-judgmental support, a free weaning plan and tips from real parents and member only money-off vouchers on C&G products.

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• Emma's Diary have four free gift packs available one for each trimester of pregnancy and early motherhood.

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• You can sign up with Your Baby Club for discounts and free samples.

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• You can register with APTA Club for money off vouchers on their products and advice on baby and infant feeding.

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• Early Essentials provide items for mums and new born babies, Moses baskets filled with new mum and baby essentials and baby clothes etc. The packs are typically given to those who are homeless, asylum seekers, women fleeing domestic abuse, and those with no recourse to public funds. Other cases can be discussed on an individual basis. You need a referral from a social or health care professional. 

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• Bounty have 3 free packs, mum-to-be, new born, and growing family that you can register for.

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• Boots Parenting Club is for parents of any child up to the age of 5. You will need to register for a free Boots Advantage Card if you don't have one already you can register HERE. Once you have a Boots Advantage Card you can join their Parenting Club for free HERE. The benefits from their Parenting Club include 8 points per £1 spent on baby products, free gifts at key stages of your baby's development, expert parenting advice, parenting club offers via the boots app, and just for signing up you receive a free AVEENO Baby Limited Edition Daily Care Hair & Body Wash 500ml.

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• SMA Baby Club will give you milestone baby cards for milestones of your baby's first 1000 days, personalised email support from pregnancy to toddlerhood, advice 24/7 from their expert careline team, members only privileges which include offers, competitions and surprises, and other useful tools for every step of your journey.  

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• Beaming Baby have some free Beaming Baby nappies available for a LIMITED TIME ONLY.​

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• You can claim some free Pura Nappies or Pura Eco Nappy Pants from their site. The nappies come in different sizes and depending on the size the amount of nappies you get range between 20-29. The eco nappy pants also come in a range of sizes and again depending on the size the number of eco nappy pants range between 15-20. There is a small delivery fee for either of these products which is £3.99. 

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• For parents of those 3+ you can sign up with Huggies and receive one pair of DryNites Pyjama pants, receive expert tips and advice. 

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• There are freebies available from The Piccolo Family Club signing up will get you a free recipe book and meal inspiration, exclusive discounts, free expert advice and support. 

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• Free Book start baby packs are available from your health visitor or local library.

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• Ella's kitchen have coupons to give away and info and help on weaning along with a free weaning chart. 

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• Sign up to Pampers Club for offers, samples and coupons/vouchers.

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• Baby Box (Scotland only) A box filled with baby clothes, bedding and other useful items that comes with a mattress, so you can use the box as a safe place for your baby to sleep. You can find out what's in the box on the website. To be eligible for the Baby Box your baby must be born and resident in Scotland. To get a box you need to be registered with a midwife and living permanently in Scotland. Your midwife will fill in a Baby Box registration card with you between your 18-20 or 28 week appointment. Your midwife will send this card away to register you for your Baby Box, so you won't need to do anything else. Depending on when you register your Baby Box it will be delivered between 4 weeks before your due date up until your due date. You will get a text, email or letter (whatever you have said you prefer) the week before your box will be dispatched. The carrier will then be in touch with your tracking details and an estimated time slot for delivery.

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• Baby on Board Badge (Greater London or South East England) Free if you live in Greater London or south-east England. You can order them from Transport for London by completing their online form. 
   

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