What benefits am I entitled to when pregnant?

During pregnancy you can receive free NHS prescriptions and dental treatment (with a MATEX certificate), and may qualify for Healthy Start food vouchers (if on qualifying benefits). From 11 weeks before your due date, you can start Statutory Maternity Pay (if employed) or Maternity Allowance (if recently employed or self-employed). You may also qualify for a Sure Start Maternity Grant of £500.

Can I get Universal Credit while pregnant?

Yes. If you're on UC, you can report your pregnancy from 28 weeks. You won't receive any extra UC for the baby until after birth, when the child element (£287.92/month) is added to your claim. However, your work-related requirements are reduced from 29 weeks of pregnancy and removed entirely from your due date until 15 weeks after birth.

What is the Sure Start Maternity Grant?

A one-off payment of £500 to help with baby costs. You qualify if you receive certain benefits (UC, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA/ESA, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit with disability) and it's your first child (or you're expecting a multiple birth). In Scotland, the Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment replaces this and pays £707.25 for a first child.

How soon should I claim maternity benefits?

Free prescriptions: Ask your GP or midwife for a MATEX certificate as soon as pregnancy is confirmed. Maternity pay: Notify your employer by 25 weeks. Maternity Allowance: Claim from 26 weeks. Sure Start Maternity Grant: Claim from 11 weeks before due date to 6 months after birth. Don't delay — some claims have strict deadlines.

Benefits & Support

Benefits for Pregnant Women — Financial Support During Pregnancy

Complete guide to benefits and financial help for pregnant women in the UK in 2026. Covers Maternity Allowance, SMP, Sure Start, Healthy Start, free prescriptions, and UC during pregnancy.

By PocketWise · 8 April 2026 · 3 min read

Benefits information is based on current DWP and HMRC rules. Entitlements depend on your personal circumstances. For free personalised help, contact Citizens Advice or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.

Pregnancy unlocks a range of benefits and free services. Here’s what you can claim and when to claim it.

Timeline of Support

When	What to Claim
Early pregnancy	MATEX certificate for free prescriptions/dental
From 10 weeks	Healthy Start vouchers (if on qualifying benefit)
25 weeks	Notify employer about maternity leave
26 weeks	Claim Maternity Allowance (if not getting SMP)
29 weeks before due date	UC work requirements reduced
11 weeks before due date	Sure Start Maternity Grant / Best Start Grant
From due date	UC work requirements removed (15 weeks)
After birth	Child Benefit, UC child element, register birth

Free Prescriptions and Dental Care

Entitlement	Detail
Free NHS prescriptions	From pregnancy confirmation until baby is 12 months old
Free NHS dental treatment	Same period
How to get it	MATEX certificate from GP or midwife
Duration	Until 12 months after baby’s due date

Getting Your MATEX Certificate

Your midwife or GP issues form FW8
Send it to NHS Business Services Authority
You receive a maternity exemption certificate (MATEX card)
Show the card when collecting prescriptions or visiting the dentist

Maternity Pay and Allowance

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

Feature	Detail
Who qualifies	Employed, earning £123+/week, 26 weeks with employer
First 6 weeks	90% of average weekly earnings
Next 33 weeks	£187.18/week or 90% of earnings (whichever is lower)
Total period	39 weeks
Paid by	Your employer

Maternity Allowance (MA)

Feature	Detail
Who qualifies	Employed or self-employed, not qualifying for SMP
Test period	66 weeks before due date, worked 26 of those weeks
Rate	£187.18/week or 90% of earnings (whichever is lower)
Duration	39 weeks
How to claim	Form MA1 to Jobcentre Plus or online

Neither SMP nor MA?

If you don’t qualify for either:

Claim Universal Credit
Your UC work requirements are reduced/removed during pregnancy and after birth
You receive the standard allowance plus any applicable elements

Sure Start Maternity Grant

Feature	Detail
Amount	£500 (one-off)
Who qualifies	On qualifying benefit, first child (or multiple birth)
When to claim	From 11 weeks before due date to 6 months after birth
Form	SF100 (from Jobcentre Plus or gov.uk)

Qualifying Benefits

Universal Credit
Pension Credit
Income Support
Income-based JSA
Income-related ESA
Child Tax Credit (at a rate above the family element)
Working Tax Credit with a disability element

Scotland: Best Start Grant

Payment	Amount
Pregnancy and Baby Payment (first child)	£707.25
Pregnancy and Baby Payment (subsequent children)	£353.65
Early Learning Payment (child between 2-3.5 years)	£294.70
School Age Payment (child starting school)	£294.70

Healthy Start Vouchers

Feature	Detail
Amount	£4.25/week (pregnant), £8.50/week (baby under 1), £4.25/week (child 1-4)
What it buys	Fresh fruit, vegetables, pulses, milk, infant formula
Who qualifies	Under 18 and pregnant, or on qualifying benefit and pregnant/with child under 4
How to apply	healthystart.nhs.uk

Universal Credit During Pregnancy

Work Requirements

Stage	Requirements
Up to 28 weeks	Normal work-related requirements
29 weeks onwards	Reduced requirements
From due date	No work-related requirements
Until baby is 15 weeks old	No work-related requirements
Baby 15 weeks to 1 year	Work-focused interviews only

UC Payments

When	UC Change
During pregnancy	No extra UC payment
After birth	Child element added: £287.92/month
First child	Higher rate child element may apply
Childcare costs	Up to 85% covered by UC childcare element

Workplace Rights

Right	Detail
Paid time off for antenatal appointments	Including travel time
Maternity leave	Up to 52 weeks (39 weeks paid)
Protection from dismissal	Cannot be dismissed because of pregnancy
Risk assessment	Employer must assess workplace risks
Right to return	To the same or equivalent job