Benefits for Expectant Mothers, Children and Families

Statutory Maternity Pay and Leave

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks. You get:

• 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first 6 weeks. 

• £187.18 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks.

To qualify for Statutory Maternity Leave you must:

• be employed by your employer up to the date of birth,
• earn at least £125 a week (before tax),
• give the correct notice, and
• have been continuously employed by your employer for at least 26 weeks up to any day in the ‘qualifying week’.

The ‘qualifying week’ is the 15th week before the baby is due. This is different if you adopt.

Statutory Paternity Pay and Leave

The statutory weekly rate of Paternity Pay is £187.18, or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower).

To qualify for Statutory Paternity Pay you must:

• be employed by your employer up to the date of birth,
• earn at least £125 a week (before tax),
• give the correct notice, and
• have been continuously employed by your employer for at least 26 weeks up to any day in the ‘qualifying week’.

The ‘qualifying week’ is the 15th week before the baby is due. This is different if you adopt.

Statutory Adoption Pay and Leave

Statutory Adoption Pay is paid for up to 39 weeks. The weekly amount is:

• 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks,
• £187.18 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks.

To get Statutory Adoption Pay you must:

• have been continuously employed by your employer for at least 26 weeks by the week you were matched with a child,
• earn on average at least £125 a week (before tax),
• give the correct notice, and
• give proof of the adoption or surrogacy.

Maternity Allowance

You could get either:

• £187.18 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is less) for 39 weeks, or
• £27 to £187.18 a week for 39 weeks if you’re self-employed, or
• £27 a week for 14 weeks if you do unpaid work for your spouse or civil partner’s business.

You may be eligible for Maternity Allowance if you:

• do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay.
• are self employed,
• have recently stopped working,
• take part in unpaid work for the business of your spouse or partner.

You can use the maternity entitlement calculator to check your eligibility.

Best Start Pregnancy and Baby Payment

A payment of £767.50 for the first child and £383.75 for any other child.

You can apply online or by telephone on 0800 182 2222.

You can apply for the Pregnancy and Baby Payment any time after you have reached the end of the 24th week of pregnancy up until 6 months after the birth, or if you become responsible for a child under 1, and are on certain benefits or you are under 18.

Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment

A payment of £319.80.

You can apply online or by telephone on 0800 182 2222.

You can apply when your child is aged between 2 years old and 3 years 6 months old, and are on certain benefits.

Best Start Grant School Age Payment

A payment of £319.80.

You can apply online or by telephone on 0800 182 2222.

You do not need to apply for Best Start Grant School Age Payment if you already get Scottish Child Payment for this child.

You can apply in the year your child is starting school, and are on certain benefits.

Best Start Foods

Best Start Foods is a prepaid card that you can use to buy healthy foods if you or your partner are pregnant or for a child under 3. You can use the card in shops and online.

You can apply online or by telephone on 0800 182 2222.

You can apply for Best Start Foods as soon as you or your partner are pregnant, or up until your child turns 3 years old, and are on certain benefits*.  You do not need to be on any benefits if you are under 18. The amount depends on age of your child.

You may be able to get Best Start Foods for your child if you are under 20 or cannot get certain benefits because of your immigration status.

Baby Box

All newborn babies in Scotland will be given a box of essential items, containing things like:

• clothes, from newborn up to 6 months,
• a digital under arm thermometer,
• a bath towel,
• a changing mat, and
• books.

The box also has a mattress, mattress protector and a fitted sheet.

The baby box is free and your midwife will help you register for it during your 20 to 24 week antenatal appointment your midwife will:

• explain the baby box to you and ask if you would like one,
• fill in a baby box registration card with you, and
• arrange delivery.

You don't need to do anything else. You'll get the baby box between weeks 32 to 36 of pregnancy.

Child Benefit

Child Benefit is a payment if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is:

• under 16
• under 20 if they stay in approved education or training

Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child.

It’s paid every 4 weeks and there’s no limit to how many children you can claim for.

Scottish Child Payment

Scottish Child Payment is a weekly payment of £27.15 that helps towards the costs of supporting your family if you have a child aged under 16.

You can apply online or by telephone on 0800 182 2222.

You may be able to get Scottish Child Payment if all of the following apply:

• you live in Scotland,
• you or your partner are getting certain benefits or payments, or
• you or your partner are the main person looking after a child who's under 16 years old.

Tax Credits ended on 5 April 2025.  You will  have to claim Universal Credit instead.  

Letters were issued to existing claimants called a Universal credit Migration Notice from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) explaining what you’ll need to do, and by when.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs if you are on a low income or out of work. It’s paid monthly, or twice a month for some people in Scotland.

If you don’t have enough to live on while you wait for your first payment you may be able to get an advance of your first Universal Credit payment.

You may be able to get Universal Credit if:

• you’re on a low income or out of work,
• you’re 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17),
• you’re under State Pension age (or your partner is),
• you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you, and
• you live in the UK.

Jobseekers Allowance

You cannot apply for Jobseekers Allowance any longer.  It has been replaced by Universal Credit.

You may be able to apply for ‘new style’ JSA.

Employment Support Allowance

You cannot apply for Employment Support Allowance any longer.  It has been replaced by Universal Credit.

You may be able to apply for ‘new style’ ESA.

Housing Benefit

Housing Benefit can help you pay your rent if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits. It has been replaced by Universal Credit for most people.

You can only make a new claim for Housing Benefit if either of the following apply:

• you have reached State Pension age
• you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

If other cases, you’ll need to claim Universal Credit instead.

Council Tax Reduction

Council Tax Reduction can help you pay your council tax if you’re unemployed, on a low income or claiming benefits.

You could be eligible if you’re on a low income or claim benefits. Your bill could be reduced by up to 100%. You can apply if you own your home, rent, are unemployed or working. If you live in West Dunbartonshire you can claim online.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

You cannot apply for Disability Allowance for children in Scotland any longer.

These have been replaced by Child Disability Payment.

Adult Disability Payment (ADP) is extra money to help you if you have a disability or long-term health condition that affects your everyday life.

How much you'll get depend on the level of help needed.

You must be between 16 and State Pension age. Apply if you have a:

• disability
• long-term physical or mental health condition
• terminal illness

Apply even if you're waiting for a diagnosis.

Child Disability Payment (CDP) provides support for the extra costs of looking after a child who has a mental or physical disability. 

The CDP rates depend on the level of help the child needs.

You can apply online or by telephone on 0800 182 2222.

If you need more support, you can also ask Social Security Scotland for an appointment with their Local Delivery service.

Any adult with parental responsibilities and rights or a guardian can apply for Child Disability Payment on behalf of the child if the child:

• is under 16
• lives in Scotland

Apply even if you're waiting for a diagnosis.

Carers Allowance

You could get Carers Allowance if you care for someone and are under the earnings threshold of £196.00 per week.

If you are a young carer 16-18 and live in Scotland, you may be eligible for a Young Carer Grant

You must care for someone at least 35 hours a week and they get certain benefits. 

If you do not qualify for this and you care for someone for at least 20 hours a week, you may be entitled to Carers Credit, which is a National Insurance credit that helps with gaps in your National Insurance record.

Free School meals and Clothing Grants

You may be entitled to free school meals and/or a clothing grant to assist with cost of school uniforms if you have children and live in West Dunbartonshire.

Free nursery/school meals and the footwear and clothing Grant are available for parents on low income, and on certain benefits.f you live in West Dunbartonshire you can claim online.

Educational Maintenance Allowance

An Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is a Scottish Government initiative aimed at helping young people stay on in education. 

You may be eligible for an EMA if you are aged 16-19 and attend a West Dunbartonshire school or in receipt of an Activity Agreement, and meet the income threshold.  If you live in West Dunbartonshire you can claim online.

NHS dental care

Free NHS dental care while you’re pregnant and for a year after the baby is born.  You may also qualify for help if on a low income.

Fill out the Maternity Exemption form (FW8), available from your doctor or midwife.  You can pick up the HC1 form for the Low Income Scheme, available from community pharmacies, GP practices, Citizens Advice Bureau and Jobcentre Plus offices.