Benefits for all

Prescriptions and NHS dental treatment are free while you are pregnant and for 12 months after you have given birth.  Your child also gets free prescriptions until age 16.  To claim for prescriptions, ask your doctor or midwife for form FW8 and send it to your Health Authority (in Northern Ireland, Central Services Agency). You will be sent an exemption certificate which lasts until a year after your due date.  

To claim after your baby is born (if you didn’t claim when you were pregnant) fill in form A in leaflet P11 NHS Prescriptions which you can get from your doctor or social security office (Benefits Agency). To claim for dental treatment, tick a box on a form provided by the dentist or show your exemption certificate (see above).

Child Benefit

What is it?
A tax-free benefit to help parents with the cost of caring for their children. It is payable for each child from birth until at least age 16.

Who gets it?
Every mother, but you must generally have been living in the United Kingdom for at least six months.

How much is it?
For your first child, £15.50 a week . For other children you get £10.35 a week per child.

Information provided by Health Promotion England.