Financial Entitlements

What are you entitled to?

If you are employed when you become pregnant you have special employment rights. You are entitled to take time off for your antenatal care and to take maternity leave.

Ordinary Maternity Leave (OML)
You are entitled to 26 weeks ordinary maternity leave regardless of how long you have worked for your employer.
website www.dti.gov.uk/er/workingparents
Additional Maternity Leave (AML)
From 1st April 2007 all women are entitled to 26 weeks additional maternity leave. Up to 13 weeks will be paid but, the final 13 weeks remains unpaid.
Paternity Leave
Your partner can now take up to two consecutive weeks off within eight weeks of the baby’s birth.
website www.dti.gov.uk/er/workingparents

Remember...

You are also entitled to free dental treatment and prescriptions.

Top Tip

It’s also worth checking with your train company.... Some offer a free upgrade to 1st class for mum’s who are in their last 3 months of pregnancy.

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
After 1st April 2007 you can get SMP for up to 39 weeks as long as you meet the conditions.
Maternity Allowance (MA)
If you are not eligible for SMP, but you have been employed or are self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 week period ending with the week before you expected week of childbirth, or you have earned on average £30 a week over a 13 week period, you can claim Maternity Allowance.
Sure Start Maternity Grant (SSMG)
If you are not able to claim either SMP or MA you may be eligible for a Sure Start Maternity Grant. It is a one-off payment from the Social Fund to help low income families (you can claim from the 29th week of
pregnancy until the child is 3 months old).
Maternity Allowance (MA)
If you are not eligible for SMP, but you have been employed or are self-employed for at least 26 weeks in the 66 week period ending with the week before you expected week of childbirth, or you have earned on average £30 a week over a 13 week period, you can claim Maternity Allowance.
Child Trust Fund
A new savings and investment account designed to give a financial head start in life and to help teach them the value of saving.
telephone 0845 302 1470
website www.childtrustfund.gov.uk

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Child Benefit
Paid to people bringing up children.
telephone 0845 302 1444
website childbenefit@ir.gsi.gov.uk
website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/childbenefit
Child Tax Credits
For people who are responsible for at least one child or qualifying young person.
Child Benefit
Paid to people bringing up children.
telephone 0845 302 1444
website childbenefit@ir.gsi.gov.uk
website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/childbenefi t
Working Tax Credit
For people who are employed or self-employed.
telephone 0845 300 3900
website www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/taxcredits
Guardians Allowance
For people bringing up a child because one or both parents have died.
telephone 0845 300 1464
New Deal For Lone Parents
Providing active and positive support for those who want to work.
telephone 0800 868 868