Money Concerns: Pregnant and Need Help with Money?

Financial Assistance for Pregnant Women and Families

• Welfare Benefits are available to pregnant women/mothers.
• Some benefits are general and can be claimed by all; other money is provided for pregnant mums under specific circumstances.
• Raising a child is a valuable service to society but is not without financial sacrifice. Therefore, the government provides financial relief to single mothers and families whose income often decreases while their expenses increase.

Did you just find out you are pregnant, and now you are wondering whether you can afford a baby? This article gives an overview of where to apply if you are pregnant and need money.

🩺 (Suspecting a) pregnancy — How soon to see a doctor? Take the test!

Money for Pregnant Mothers

Financial concerns are natural when expecting a baby. Raising a child takes time and money. Calculating the cost is a sign of maturity and foresight, proving that you are mindful of your responsibilities. But what if money is already tight? Help is available! We have compiled a list of how to get free money for pregnant mums-to-be.

This is your benefits guide. Each financial help is briefly described, and amounts are posted where applicable. Each link leads to an external site, providing the application process.

United Kingdom:

If you are pregnant and need help with money in the UK, these are the benefits you can apply for:

Child Care

• Childcare grants cover 85% of your costs, paying up to £148.75 per week if you are in training/education.
• Childcare element of working tax credit: up to £122.50 per week for one child (70% of £175) or up to £210 per week for more than one child (70% of £300).
• Find a nursery and find out if you can get help with childcare costs.

Child support

• Antenatal: If the biological father receives an income, he is obligated to help pay for the mother’s pregnancy expenses, including maternity clothes and vitamins.
• If able, both parents must contribute to the cost of raising their child until the child turns 19. The parent who does not live with the child usually pays child support.

Disabled Child

• Disability Living Allowance is £24.45 to £156.90 per week when caring for a disabled child.
• Child Disability Payment (Scotland) of £64.50

Food

• Healthy Start (Best Start in Scotland) helps you receive nutritious food. 

Housing

• Social Housing (NI) or Council Housing (GB)
• Housing Benefit (Universal Credit is replacing this)

Living Expenses

• Child Benefit of £21.80 for the first child and £14.45 for any additional children.
• Universal Credit of £265.31 per month for under 25-year-olds and £334.91 per month for over 25-year-olds.

Newborn Payment

• Sure Start Maternity Grant gives you £500 start-up money for baby equipment.
• Or Pregnancy and Baby Payment (Scotland) of up to £642.35.

Parental Leave

• Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP): You are eligible if your weekly earnings exceed £123. You would receive 90% of your regular pay for the first six weeks. For the next 33, you would receive up to 90% of your average income, not exceeding £156.66.
• Maternity Allowance is for women who are working but cannot receive statutory maternity pay. This payment is given for up to 39 weeks. The amount is equal to Statutory Maternity Pay.
• Paternity Pay and Leave of 90% of pay, up to £156.66 for 1–2 weeks
• Shared Parental Leave and Pay of up to a combined 50 weeks’ leave and 37 weeks of pay. The amount is 90% of the parent’s salary for up to £156.66 per week.
• Extra Maternity Benefit is paid when the baby is premature. Here, the weeks between the birth and the beginning of scheduled maternity leave are covered at 90% of average pay.

Tax Benefits

• Council Tax Reduction: This substantial reduction varies according to location. Ask your local council for details.
• Child Tax Credit is income-dependent and is paid until your child turns 16 or completes their education.
• Working Tax Credit for single parents who work at least 16 hours a week.
• 30-Hour Element: Extra tax credit for single parents who work at least 30 hours a week.

Unemployment

• Jobseekers’ Allowance is £61.05 per week for under 25-year-olds and £77.00 for over 25-year-olds.

ℹ️ Note! While Profemina reviews the following information annually, we cannot guarantee its accuracy.

Are you looking for information specific to your age group?

• Financial Support for Pregnant Teens
• Financial Support for Pregnant Students
• Pregnant During Apprenticeship
• Pregnant on a Fixed-Term Contract

Are you looking for practical or emotional support?

• Support Near Me

What about the baby's dad?

• 🙎🏻‍♂️Acknowledging Paternity — How to navigate issues with the dad (test)
• Do I Need to Name the Father to Receive Support?

Questions or Concerns?

Perhaps you are looking at this page because you are pregnant and struggling financially. Maybe you are pregnant and broke and wondering whether having a baby is financially feasible. Hopefully, the information provided in this article addressed many of your monetary concerns.

Do your questions go beyond financial cares? Many women deal with multiple layers of worries, and we want to ensure that each one is addressed.

Our free digital coaching resources were created with your situation in mind. You can access them 24/7. Why not give them a try?

• 💪 You have what it takes! Take the Strengths Finder Test
• 👥 What is my pregnancy personality? Take the test!
• ⚖️ Should I get an abortion? Take the Abortion Test

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