The Health in Pregnancy Grant – Coming Soon

viktory

From April 2009, almost every pregnant woman in the UK will be eligible for Health in Pregnancy Grant (HiPG). This will be a one off payment of £190, available from the 25th week of pregnancy. It is intended to help support the general health and well being of pregnant women in the later stages of pregnancy and to help them meet the costs in the run up to the birth.

A midwife or Doctor will need to sign the form to confirm that the woman is 25 weeks pregnant and that appropriate maternal advice has been given in order for a woman to claim the grant.

Pregnant women whose EDD is on or after 6th April 2009 will be able to make a claim from their 25th week of pregnancy. Eligible women sending claims before 6th April 2009 should note that their payments will not be received until the end of April 2009.

Link to the Department of Health website, click on the Children, Families and Maternity e-bulletin (December 2008)

babypringle

aargh ... my due date is 4th April. Do you think the midwife might be willing to move my due date to the 6th???

Auzelia

babypringle wrote: »

aargh ... my due date is 4th April. Do you think the midwife might be willing to move my due date to the 6th???

I hope she doesnt as its going to cost the government enough money!
and Who is to say the expectant mother will use the money for Healthy eating and not to buy clothes etc!

My due date is the 6th of February... So I will miss out on it, but then I dont need it.
I dont think it should be available, but that is JMO!

DaisyFlower

I dont think it should be available either - more money wasted whilst the country is already in economic trouble.

The money simply wont be spent on healthy eating by the majority of people who claim it.

If this was truly aimed at healthy eating, the government should have teamed up with local farmers/suppliers and sent veg/fruit boxes fortnightly instead - £190 would cover a good number of boxes.

hitchins

DaisyFlower wrote: »

I dont think it should be available either - more money wasted whilst the country is already in economic trouble.

The money simply wont be spent on healthy eating by the majority of people who claim it.

If this was truly aimed at healthy eating, the government should have teamed up with local farmers/suppliers and sent veg/fruit boxes fortnightly instead - £190 would cover a good number of boxes.

:T

Totally agree. I think the same of the Maternity Grant, should be vouchers redeemable against baby products, not £500 cash! Bye hey ho.....:rolleyes:

LeLLe

Slightly off topic but i never got the healthy start vouchers while i was pregnant with my 2nd child (i was on IS) will i still be able to claim it back?

Auzelia

you can claim up to 3 months after the baby is born.

lynnexxxo

hitchins wrote: »

:T

Totally agree. I think the same of the Maternity Grant, should be vouchers redeemable against baby products, not £500 cash! Bye hey ho.....:rolleyes:

Agree too, especially as this new grant is not even means tested. Having said that, I'm due on the 24th May.. so if the government is giving money away, i'd be daft to not take it!

I'm at a loss of why i need £190 to help me buy healthy stuff during pregnancy. Surely keeping myself healthy and having healthy babies is 'payment' enough for eating plenty fruit and veg???

nikki-lou_2

I'm currently 23 weeks pregnant, my due date is 21st April 09 so I will be entitled to the £190 so think I would nt mad not to apply. I do think though that it is a bit of a waste of government money as some people realy dont need £190. I am in a situation where it would be great to help me financially but as we're already advised to eat healthy and look after ourselves then I can (and dont flame me) say that I probably will end up buying baby clothes and accessories with the money

I dont think I can claim the surestart grant until the baby is born and we claim working tax credits and child tax credits as we arent entitled to any income based benefits atm...but I totally agree that it should be £500 for baby stuff given as vouchers. I've known people not need anything for the baby and spent the majority of the grant on themselves like it was a little bonus or something. I dont think thats right personally.

lynnexxxo

nikki-lou wrote: »

I'm currently 23 weeks pregnant, my due date is 21st April 09 so I will be entitled to the £190 so think I would nt mad not to apply. I do think though that it is a bit of a waste of government money as some people realy dont need £190. I am in a situation where it would be great to help me financially but as we're already advised to eat healthy and look after ourselves then I can (and dont flame me) say that I probably will end up buying baby clothes and accessories with the money

I dont think I can claim the surestart grant until the baby is born and we claim working tax credits and child tax credits as we arent entitled to any income based benefits atm...but I totally agree that it should be £500 for baby stuff given as vouchers. I've known people not need anything for the baby and spent the majority of the grant on themselves like it was a little bonus or something. I dont think thats right personally.

Nikki, don't worry I have decided to put my £190 towards a new pram rather than a second hand one!!!

LeLLe

You only get the healthy start vouchers (£3.00) if your on certain benefits while pregnant. Your not entitled to them if your on low icome.