Child Benefit starts on the day your baby is born.

Who is eligible?

You qualify for Child Benefit if you have a dependent child or young person under 16 years of age living with you. A young person refers to someone up to 20 years old who is in full-time non-advanced education and lives with you.

Child Benefit cannot be divided for one child, even if you share their care with someone else.

How much is it?

Child Benefit rates:

- First child: £24.00

- Second and subsequent children: £15.90

If your annual income exceeds £50,000, you will pay additional income tax with Child Benefit. It's called the High-Income Child Benefit Charge. If you earn over £60,000, the entire Child Benefit amount will be added to your income tax. You can choose to stop receiving Child Benefit, but remember that it protects your National Insurance record. If you decide to continue, you must register for self-assessment with HM Revenue & Customs and report the Child Benefit in your tax return.

How to apply

To apply for Child Benefit, complete form CH2 from HM Revenue & Customs. Download the form or contact the Child Benefit Helpline for a copy.

Call the Child Benefit Helpline or visit the GOV.UK website for more information:

Child Benefit Helpline Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm

Telephone: 0300 200 3100

Universal Credit supports individuals and families with living costs, rent, and childcare expenses. It is available to both employed and unemployed individuals.

Amount and Eligibility

The amount you receive depends on your income and family situation.

How to Apply

You can apply for Universal Credit at any time. If you apply before your baby's birth and are not approved, you may qualify after the birth. If you currently receive other benefits, such as Jobseeker's Allowance or Housing Benefit, you can continue receiving them until your baby is born. When ready, apply for Universal Credit online.

Pregnancy Benefits

If you currently receive income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or Housing Benefit, you can continue receiving them until your baby is born. Work-related activities mentioned in your Claimant Commitment will not be expected from you starting 6 weeks before your due date.

If you receive Universal Credit, it will continue, and you won't have to engage in any work-related activities from 11 weeks before your due date.

Benefits After Birth

After your baby is born, you can apply for Universal Credit, including support for yourself, your baby, and rent payments. If you already receive Universal Credit, you can now receive it for your baby as well.

Please note that if you currently receive Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, or Housing Benefit, these benefits will cease once you apply for Universal Credit.

Additionally, you will be eligible for Child Benefit and the Sure Start Maternity Grant.

If you're employed, you may be eligible for Statutory Maternity Pay from your employer. Additional benefits include Maternity Allowance, Child Benefit, Sure Start Maternity Grant, tax credits, Housing Benefit, or Universal Credit.

Money From Your Employer

If you're working during your pregnancy, your employer can provide you with Statutory Maternity Pay and Occupational Maternity Pay.

Statutory Maternity Pay

You'll receive Statutory Maternity Pay for 39 weeks, paid by your employer. This consists of 90% of your average weekly earnings for six weeks, followed by £172.48 per week or 90% of earnings (if lower) for the remaining 33 weeks.

To qualify, you must have worked continuously for the same employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before your baby's due date. You also need to have earned a minimum of £123 per week (pre-tax) in the last eight weeks. Your employer will handle the arrangements for Statutory Maternity Pay, and it will be paid to you similarly to your salary.

Occupational Maternity Pay

In addition to Statutory Maternity Pay, your employer may offer Occupational Maternity Pay. The specifics, including the amount and duration, will be outlined in your employment contract.

Benefits

Maternity Allowance

If you don't qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay from your employer, you may be eligible for Maternity Allowance. This applies if you're self-employed, changed jobs during pregnancy, recently started a new job, or have a low income.

Who Can Receive it?

To qualify, you must have worked for at least 26 weeks out of the 66 weeks leading up to your baby's due date. These weeks don't have to be consecutive or with the same employer. You should also have earned £30 or more per week, with earnings averaged over any 13 weeks within the 66-week period. You can choose the 13 weeks with the highest earnings to maximize your maternity allowance. Calculate the average by adding all your earnings from the 13 weeks and dividing the total by 13.

Different rules apply for calculating earnings if you're self-employed. Seek specialist advice in such cases.

How Much is it?

Maternity Allowance is paid for 39 weeks, providing you with 90% of your earnings or £172.48 per week, whichever is lower.

To claim, use form MA1 available from Jobcentre Plus, contact 0800 055 6688, or visit www.gov.uk to download or request the form.

Tax Credits

If you currently receive tax credits or Housing Benefit, you can continue receiving them along with an additional amount for your new baby. Otherwise, you may be eligible for Universal Credit.

Statutory Sick Pay

If you're receiving Statutory Sick Pay and become pregnant, it will cease 4 weeks before your baby's due date if the illness is pregnancy-related. If you're ill for another reason, it will stop on the day your baby is born. At that point, you can receive Maternity Allowance or Statutory Maternity Pay.

If you become ill within the 4 weeks before your due date, it will initiate Maternity Allowance or Statutory Maternity Pay. However, you cannot receive Maternity Allowance or Statutory Maternity Pay simultaneously with Statutory Sick Pay.

For more information on Statutory Sick Pay, please refer to the relevant resources.