• Sure Start Maternity Grant - It doesn't matter how tiny they are, babies are expensive.
And new babies in particular need a LOT of stuff.
But if you're on a low income and your baby is 3 months or younger, you could be entitled to a £500 one-off payment.
Conditions do apply but if you`re eligible you won't have to pay a penny of the money back.
You can claim from your 29th week of pregnancy.
• Health in Pregnancy Grant - This is being phased out from January 1 2011, but if you reach the 25th week of your pregnancy before January 1 you can still get the grant.
Mums-to-be can claim £190 in the lead-up to their baby's birth.
As long as you're a UK resident, have spoken to a doctor or midwife regarding your health during pregnancy, and are at least 25 weeks gone, you should be able to claim.
To find out if you're eligible, take a look at government website DirectGov.
• Healthy Start -Â Making sure that you and your baby have all the nutrients you need is serious business, which is why the government is dishing out these Healthy Start vouchers.
The vouchers can be used to buy fresh fruit, vegetables and milk, as well as vitamins for you and your child.
Families with small children can also apply, as can pregnant under-18's.
Visit the Healthy Start website to see if you qualify.
• Jobseekers Allowance -Â Being a mum is a job in itself, but if you're unemployed or working less than 16 hours per week, you might be eligible for Jobseekers Allowance.
You'll have to prove that you're looking for work, but could get up to £64.
30 per week.
• In Work Credit -Â If you're dying to go back to work but worried it'll stop you receiving benefits, look into getting In Work Credit.
You could receive £40 per week for a year, as well as any other working benefits you might already be getting.
To find out if you qualify visit the JobCentre website.
• Pre-school Childcare Costs -Â Make sure your 3 or 4 year old doesn't miss out on the chance to interact and learn with other youngsters.
All children who fall into this age bracket are allowed 15 hours of early learning care completely free, for 38 weeks of the year.
Directgov will even work out for you the date and time your child will be eligible for his or her free place.
• Free School Transport - Doing the morning run can be a nightmare, especially if you have to work or can't afford the cost of transport.
Luckily the Government have stepped in to make things easier: if your child is between the age of 5 and 16 and their school is too far to walk to (i.
e.
2 miles for children under 8, 3 miles for children over 8), then they are entitled to free school transport.
Directgov explains the nitty gritty, and how to apply, on its Free School Transport page.
• Free Health - Everyone knows how expensive a simple prescription or trip to the dentist can be, which is why all mums and mums-to-be should make the most of the help the NHS are offering.
If you're pregnant or have had your baby in the last 12 months, you can get your NHS prescriptions and dental treatment for free.
The only catch is that you have to have been pregnant at the time you were offered the dental treatment.
Take a look at the NHS website for more information on this gem of a benefit.
And new babies in particular need a LOT of stuff.
But if you're on a low income and your baby is 3 months or younger, you could be entitled to a £500 one-off payment.
Conditions do apply but if you`re eligible you won't have to pay a penny of the money back.
You can claim from your 29th week of pregnancy.
• Health in Pregnancy Grant - This is being phased out from January 1 2011, but if you reach the 25th week of your pregnancy before January 1 you can still get the grant.
Mums-to-be can claim £190 in the lead-up to their baby's birth.
As long as you're a UK resident, have spoken to a doctor or midwife regarding your health during pregnancy, and are at least 25 weeks gone, you should be able to claim.
To find out if you're eligible, take a look at government website DirectGov.
• Healthy Start -Â Making sure that you and your baby have all the nutrients you need is serious business, which is why the government is dishing out these Healthy Start vouchers.
The vouchers can be used to buy fresh fruit, vegetables and milk, as well as vitamins for you and your child.
Families with small children can also apply, as can pregnant under-18's.
Visit the Healthy Start website to see if you qualify.
• Jobseekers Allowance -Â Being a mum is a job in itself, but if you're unemployed or working less than 16 hours per week, you might be eligible for Jobseekers Allowance.
You'll have to prove that you're looking for work, but could get up to £64.
30 per week.
• In Work Credit -Â If you're dying to go back to work but worried it'll stop you receiving benefits, look into getting In Work Credit.
You could receive £40 per week for a year, as well as any other working benefits you might already be getting.
To find out if you qualify visit the JobCentre website.
• Pre-school Childcare Costs -Â Make sure your 3 or 4 year old doesn't miss out on the chance to interact and learn with other youngsters.
All children who fall into this age bracket are allowed 15 hours of early learning care completely free, for 38 weeks of the year.
Directgov will even work out for you the date and time your child will be eligible for his or her free place.
• Free School Transport - Doing the morning run can be a nightmare, especially if you have to work or can't afford the cost of transport.
Luckily the Government have stepped in to make things easier: if your child is between the age of 5 and 16 and their school is too far to walk to (i.
e.
2 miles for children under 8, 3 miles for children over 8), then they are entitled to free school transport.
Directgov explains the nitty gritty, and how to apply, on its Free School Transport page.
• Free Health - Everyone knows how expensive a simple prescription or trip to the dentist can be, which is why all mums and mums-to-be should make the most of the help the NHS are offering.
If you're pregnant or have had your baby in the last 12 months, you can get your NHS prescriptions and dental treatment for free.
The only catch is that you have to have been pregnant at the time you were offered the dental treatment.
Take a look at the NHS website for more information on this gem of a benefit.
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