Pregnant with 1st baby. Do we get anything? what about the £190 grant?

rover25

Hi, We are expecting our 1st baby at the start of November. I hope to go on maternity leave at beginning of Oct. Between my husband and myself our annual income is approx £57,000. Are we entitled to anything in the forms of grants? I thought I read in my bounty pack book about a £190 one off grant but am unsure if this is still available after April? Can anyone help me out?
Thanks

dtaylor21184

I think the grant for 190 quid has now stopped and so has the payment you used to get to start a child trust fund. Your income is very high so I may be wrong but don't think you will be entitled to anything.

Sorry.

vroombroom

the £190 was scrapped in Jan, so you won't get that. You'll get child benefit of £20.80 per week

pipscot

rover25 wrote: »

Hi, We are expecting our 1st baby at the start of November. I hope to go on maternity leave at beginning of Oct. Between my husband and myself our annual income is approx £57,000. Are we entitled to anything in the forms of grants? I thought I read in my bounty pack book about a £190 one off grant but am unsure if this is still available after April? Can anyone help me out?
Thanks

There used to be a "health in pregnancy" grant of £190 - but think this is now come to an end! You can ask your midwife about grants etc.

[Warning: not many people on this board will be that sympathetic to people looking for "grants" when they have such a high income!!:)]

rover25

Thanks for all the replies. Appreciate them. I honestly wasn't looking for sympathy. Just feel that I shouldn't miss out on anything just because our income is what it is. I believe everyone's pregnancy is just as important as everyone elses.

dtaylor21184

I had my little boy the end of december and m midwife said to be quick applying for the grant as it was due to end at the start of 2011 and luckily my baby came just before 2010 ended

MrsManda

The Health in Pregnancy Grant has ended as you had to have reached the 25th week of your pregnancy by 1st January.

You won't get the Sure Start Maternity Grant or anything from the Healthy Start scheme because you earn too much.

As already said, you'll get child benefit. You may get child tax credits but I don't know anything about how that's calculated.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/TaxCredits/Keepingyourtaxcreditsuptodate/Changesthataffectyourtaxcredits/Familychanges/DG_172968

Yes, every pregnancy is as important as everyone else's but the point of the healthy start scheme etc... is to try to ensure a baby has the best start in life regardless of the ecomonic situation of the parents. Maternal and early years nutrition is important for development throughout the life of a child and the grants are aimed at people who otherwise may not be able to afford to give their baby the best start in life.

rover25

I will look into the child tax credits but I don't think we get anything from that either. I knew we wouldn't get the sure start or healthy start but had heard the £190 grant was available to all. A year too late!
I think someone replied about the trust fund money that used to be put into the child's account at different stages, but that is gone too isn't it?

Thanks again for all the help.

DeeMarie89

MrsManda wrote: »

Yes, every pregnancy is as important as everyone else's but the point of the healthy start scheme etc... is to try to ensure a baby has the best start in life regardless of the ecomonic situation of the parents. Maternal and early years nutrition is important for development throughout the life of a child and the grants are aimed at people who otherwise may not be able to afford to give their baby the best start in life.

Agreed. You earn too much to be entitled to tax credits, and therefore won't be entitled to the £500 sure start grant unless you are in receipt of one of the other qualifying benefits, which I'm guessing you're not.

The £500 is to ensure people on benefits or a low income can afford a cot/pram/clothes etc, and as you clearly have a high enough income to be able to buy these, you won't be entitled, sorry

NPowerUser

Not sure how much sympathy a teacher on a combined income of over £1100 a week is going to get regards obtaining a tax payer funded one off payment?

I think they have withdrawn it.

As I think you might live in Scotland you should get free prescriptions?

Ayelet

I don't get why high earners even get child benefit. I am on NMW paying tax over this and barely afford a holiday each year, yet my tax money could go to them in the name of child benefit.

Just doesn't seem fair.