Before the birth

A new arrival affects all aspects of life, not least money. Planning ahead is the key to staying on top of the family finances.

 

Twelve weeks or so into your pregnancy

Work out your budget

Think about how the baby will affect your income and your spending. If you have a partner, talk together about the best way to organise your budget.

The state gives at least some financial help to all families with children. But if you work, stopping or cutting back your hours will reduce your earnings.

If this is your first baby, you’ll need to budget for equipment such as a buggy, car seat, cot, clothes, bedding and toys. Once the baby arrives, there will be nappies, milk if you are not breastfeeding, baby food and other expenses.

Check out benefits and entitlements

Find out what benefits and entitlements you’ll be eligible for and how much you can expect to get.

Most expectant mums qualify for the new Health in Pregnancy Grant – £190 to help you stay healthy. Nearly all families get child benefit once the baby is born. Nine out of ten also qualify for child tax credit.

If your income is low, you may also get a Sure Start Maternity Grant of £500 to help with the costs of a new baby as well as Healthy Start free vitamins and vouchers to swap for milk, fruit and vegetables.

If you or your partner (if you have one) work, you may qualify for working tax credit. A single parent or a couple who both work may get substantial help towards childcare costs.

Research childcare in your area

If you’ll be a working parent or student, find out what childcare options are available locally and how much they cost.

Review your finances

Check what life cover you already have. You may need extra cover once the baby arrives, in which case, shop around now to choose the cover you’ll take out once the baby is born. Use this time also to sort out any debts, and build up some savings if you can.

See these other sections:

• Budgeting for the cost of children
• Planning ahead for a new family
• Talking about money
• Benefits and entitlements for families
• Tax credits: extra money for families
• Paying for childcare
• Borrowing money

 

Twenty-five weeks pregnant

Claim Health in Pregnancy Grant

Provided you are getting health advice, you can claim this £190 grant. Ask your midwife or doctor for the form (they must fill in part of it) or call the Health in Pregnancy Grant Helpline on 0845 366 7885.

Book your maternity and paternity leave

Most employed mums and dads are entitled to paid time off work when they have a new baby. If you are self-employed, you do not get statutory maternity pay (SMP) or statutory paternity pay (SPP), but mums may qualify for maternity allowance. See Going back to work? for more information.

Mums who are employees can have up to 52 weeks’ maternity leave. Up to 39 weeks can be paid leave, provided you have been with your current employer for 26 weeks or longer.

Dads who have been with their current employer at least 26 weeks can have up to two weeks’ paid leave.

In both cases you must tell your employer the date you intend to start your leave by the 15th week before your baby is due. You can change the date later, if necessary.

You may want to give your employer notice at the same time that you’ll be claiming statutory maternity pay. You’ll need to give your employer form MatB1 that you were given by your doctor or midwife. See Planning ahead for a new family and Going back to work?

 

Twenty-nine weeks pregnant

Maternity leave

The earliest you can start your maternity leave is eleven weeks before your baby is due. If your income is low, claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant using claim pack SF100 from Jobcentre Plus. See Planning ahead for a new family.

 

Your baby is born!

Congratulations!

You need to register the birth within 21 days in Scotland and 42 days in the rest of the UK. Do this at your local registration office. See phone book or Useful contacts for details.

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