Rights And Benefits

It's very important that you get help and advice as soon as you know that you're pregnant, to make sure that you know your rights and that you claim all the benefits to which you're entitled. Benefits have to be claimed on different forms, from different offices, depending on what you are claiming. The rules often change and the amount been claimed are subject to change. Maternity rights are complex and sometimes change, so you should get further advice if you are unsure. There are many voluntary organizations that are happy to help, so don't hesitate to ask for advice or get an opinion.

These are free while you are pregnant and for 12 months after you have given birth. Your child also gets free prescriptions until age 16. To claim for free prescriptions, ask your doctor or midwife for form FW8 and send it to your Health Authority. You will be sent an Exemption Certificate which lasts until a year after your due date. To claim after your baby is born if you didn't claim while you were pregnant, fill in form A in leaflet P11 NHS Prescription.- Help with Health Service Costs), which you can get from your doctor or Benefits Agency! To claim for dental treatment, tick a box on a form provided by the dentist or show your Exemption Certificate.

.: Child Benefit:......

.: What is it?

A tax-free benefit to help parents with the cost of caring for their children. It is payable for each child from birth until at least age 16.

.: Who gets it?

Every mother or the person responsible for the care of the child, but you must generally have been living in the United Kingdom for at least six months.

.: How do I claim?

You may get a claim pack inside the Bounty Pack, which most flew mothers are given in hospital. You can also get a claim pack from your Benefits Agency/Social Security Agency (social security office) or post office Fill in the forms and send them with your baby's birth certificate to the Child Benefit Centre. The birth certificate will be returned to you. Child Benefit can be paid directly into your bank account or by a book of orders which you cash at the post office. It is usually paid every four weeks in arrears, but single parents and families on low incomes can choose to be paid weekly. You should start to claim Child Benefit within three months of your baby's birth, otherwise you will lose some of the benefit.

.: Anything else?

Child Benefit can help to protect your State Retirement Pension if you stay at home to look after your child. For every complete year that you get Child Benefit, but you don't pay enough National Insurance contributions to count towards the basic pension, you automatically get 'Home Responsibilities Protection'.