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If you are a professional working with families this quick and easy training will give you all the information you need to support families with claiming healthy start benefits. Don't forget to take the quiz and claim your certificate.

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Baby Bank covering from Gravesend to borders of Sidcup, and up to borders or Orpington and parts of Sevenoaks district. 

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Baby Bank covering from Gravesend to borders of Sidcup, and up to borders or Orpington and parts of Sevenoaks district. 

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We have a storage unit full of essential items for new baby, prams, Moses baskets, chairs, sterilising equipment, bottles, breast pumps, clothes, nappies, wipes, toiletries ect. It’s open to any family who are struggling financially and we aim to deliver packages any time after 28 weeks. info@bear-basics.uk

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If you have good quality items that you no longer require and are able to donate free of charge, please contact us to arrange collection. We accept newborn equipment such as moses baskets, chairs, cribs/cots, Prams/strollers, baby clothes 0-18 mths, bouncers, changing mats/bags, bottles/sterilisers, unopened nappies and toiletries, maternity products such as pad, breast pads and toiletries. If you are unsure just contact us for advice

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If you have good quality items that you no longer require and are able to donate free of charge, please contact us to arrange collection. We accept newborn equipment such as moses baskets, chairs, cribs/cots, Prams/strollers, baby clothes 0-18 mths, bouncers, changing mats/bags, bottles/sterilisers, unopened nappies and toiletries, maternity products such as pad, breast pads and toiletries.

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Why not join us at Diversity House for our Yoga and Armchair Yoga sessions to keep your mind and body fit.

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We are aware of the importance and benefits of breastfeeding to mother and baby.  Therefore, we have created a breastfeeding friendly environment in our state of the art centre.  Visit our breastfeeding station and also take advantage of the self-care tips delivered by our in-house health practitioners.

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We are aware of the importance and benefits of breastfeeding to mother and baby.  Therefore, we have created a breastfeeding friendly environment in our state of the art centre.  Visit our breastfeeding station and also take advantage of the self-care tips delivered by our in-house health practitioners.

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Diversity House offer wellbeing and breastfeeding station for everyone. Meet our volunteer medical practitioners for health checks.

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Diversity House offer wellbeing and breastfeeding station for everyone. Meet our volunteer medical practitioners for health checks.

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Money advice for parents who are struggling with money and their mental health.

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Printable Fact Sheet 3: Utilities (Gas, Water, Electric, Broadband)

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Printable Fact Sheet 3: Utilities (Gas, Water, Electric, Broadband)

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This can be printed out and given to women and families. You may wish to use the digital maps and searches available on the Padlet to help families access services closest to them.

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Help with water bills

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If you're struggling to pay your water bill, please don't worry. We're here to help you, now and always.

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What is the Medway Credit Union?
Like all credit unions, of which there are hundreds in the UK, we are a financial co-operative; owned, controlled and run by the members. We save together to provide a pool of money from which members can apply for a loan at affordable rates. Money saved with the credit union is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Medway Credit Union Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Reference no: 213130). The Directors have been approved by the FCA. All staff are volunteers who offer their time to assist in the running of the Credit Union Members are encouraged to continue saving a modest amount even when repaying a loan.

Nearly 900,000 people in Great Britain save with their local credit union and many more are joining every month. They know their money is safe with the credit union.

The Medway Credit Union was established in 1999.

Where do the Credit Unions get their income from?
The interest from the loans provides income for the credit union. Although all the staff are unpaid volunteers, it costs money for the overheads.

The future of Medway Credit Union
We have widened our Common Bond to take in people who work and/or live in Swale. The only way a credit union can succeed is by gaining a continuously growing pool of members who will save together, take out loans and thus provide income.

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Medway Credit Union | Affordable Loans in Medway and Swale

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Medway Credit Union - Savings and affordable loans in the Medway Towns and Swale. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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We help people across Kent, Medway and Bexley to feel in control of their finances, aiming for Financial Fitness. By saving more, we borrow less. Kent Savers offer ethical savings, loans and bank card products that are fair, clear and affordable.

Join today

Working towards your goals

Getting the Benefits and Help you are entitled to

In the UK, 8 million households leave £16bn of available benefits unclaimed

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Kent Savers Credit Union | Get your finances in shape

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Apply for a healthy start card which will allow you to buy milk, fruit, vegetables and pulses. It also gives access to healthy start vitamins.

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What is Healthy Start?

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. We'll add your benefit onto this card every 4 weeks.

You can use your card to buy:

plain liquid cow's milk

fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables

fresh, dried, and tinned pulses

infant formula milk based on cow's milk

You can also use your card to collect:

Healthy Start vitamins - these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding

vitamin drops for babies and young children - these are suitable from birth to 4 years old

If you live in Scotland

You can get help from Best Start Foods (opens in a new tab) instead.

Advice on healthy eating

For more advice on healthy eating, visit:

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If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. If you're eligible, you'll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops.

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1. About this guide

1.1 This guide and the law

This is only a guide to maternity benefits it has no status in law. It does not cover all the rules in the maternity benefits scheme for every situation, nor does it provide a full interpretation of the rules. So it should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law.

The basis of the law for maternity benefits is the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992. The Act provides the framework for the detailed rules contained in regulations made by the Secretary of State and approved by Parliament. Go to Acts, Regulations and detailed information for a list of all the relevant legal documents and where you can consult them.

Throughout the guide there are references to the relevant regulation or schedule, to allow you to consult the legal wording of the rules.

Great Britain and the United Kingdom

The information contained in this guide is primarily concerned with the law in Great Britain; that is, England, Scotland, and Wales. Northern Ireland is covered by the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 and the arrangements are basically the same. Information on maternity allowance in Northern Ireland can be obtained from:

2. Introduction to maternity benefits

There are 2 maternity benefits available to women under the social security scheme:

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) from your employer

Maternity Allowance (MA) from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Jobcentre Plus

Both types of payment are intended to help you take time off work both before and after the date your baby is due. You cannot get both at the same time.

Statutory Maternity Pay is a weekly payment that you may be able to get from your employer. You must meet qualifying conditions based on the length of your employment with your employer and how much you earn. The amount of SMP you get also depends on how much you earn.

If you cannot get SMP, you may be able to get:

Maternity Allowance from Jobcentre Plus. MA is a weekly payment that you may be able to get if you have been employed or self-employed for some of the time during and before you became pregnant and your earnings for part of that time were at least £30 a week.

If you are not entitled to get either SMP or MA, you may be able to get some Employment and Support Allowance instead.

If you or your partner are getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element or Working Tax Credit where a disability or severe disability element is included in the award, you may be able to get a Sure Start Maternity Grant from the Social Fund.

From 1 April 2014 MA was introduced for women whose due date was on or after 27 July 2014 and who were not employed or self-employed but who regularly took part in their self-employed spouse's or civil partner's business. Therefore if you regularly help or take part in the business of your spouse or civil partner and are not a partner or employee of that business you may be able to get MA.

2.1 Maternity Allowance - Changes to the collection of Class 2 National Insurance contributions (NICs) for the self-employed

In the 2014 Budget the Government announced that from April 2015, most self-employed customers will pay their Class 2 NICs through Self Assessment alongside income tax and Class 4 NICs. From 12 April 2015 Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will stop collecting Class 2 NICs for most people during the tax year.

From April 2015 when you complete your 2015/16 Self Assessment return from 6 April 2016, and Self Assessment returns in future years, HMRC will use the information they already hold, together with the information you provide in your tax return, to let you know about any Class 2 NICs you need to pay. Therefore, for the 2015/16 tax year, if you are filing your return online, you have until 31 January 2017 to submit your Self Assessment and pay any Class 2 NICs due. If you are filing a paper return, you will have until 31 October 2016 to submit your Self Assessment and pay any Class 2 NICs due.

This change has removed the need for self-employed people with low earnings to apply for a Small Earnings Exception Certificate (SEEC). Therefore HMRC has abolished the SEEC. From 12 April 2015 it will be replaced by the small profits threshold (SPT).

Liability for Class 2 NICs will now be determined by the level of profits reaching the SPT. If your self assessment profits are at or above the SPT you will be liable for Class 2 NICs via Self Assessment. Whereas if your self assessment profit is below the SPT, or you make a loss, you will be able to pay Class 2 NICs voluntarily.

Some self-employed women claiming MA may therefore be impacted as they may not have had the opportunity to make a Self Assessment return and pay Class 2 NICs at an early enough stage to secure MA entitlement at the standard weekly rate.

To address this, self-employed women whose babies are due on or after 12 July 2015 and who claim MA will be given the option to pay Class 2 NICs early before their Self Assessment is due under an exceptions process, so that they may be awarded the standard rate for their claim. This payment option is only available to those claiming MA and will apply whether or not the woman ultimately becomes liable to pay Class 2 NICs.

Women who claim MA because they are not employed or self-employed but regularly take part in the self-employed business of their spouse or civil partner will also be affected by the changes to the collection of Class 2 NICs. Their self-employed spouse or civil partner, who may not have had the opportunity to make a Self Assessment return and pay Class 2 NICs, will also be able to pay their Class 2 NICs early through the exception process.

2.2 Maternity leave

All pregnant employees are entitled to 26 weeks Ordinary Maternity Leave and 26 weeks Additional Maternity Leave whether or not they qualify for SMP or MA. Additional Maternity Leave starts immediately after Ordinary Maternity Leave so women have 52 weeks maternity leave in total.

2.3 Parental leave

Parental leave is a right to take unpaid time off work to look after a child up to the child's fifth birthday (or 18th birthday for disabled children) or make arrangements for the child's welfare. The right applies to mothers and fathers and to a person who has obtained formal parental responsibility for a child.

2.5 Entitlement

A woman whose baby is due on or after 5 April 2015 and on SMP may be entitled to SPL or ShPP if they and the other parent satisfy the eligibility conditions. Those in receipt of MA and whose baby is due on or after 5 April 2015 will not be entitled to receive ShPP. The other parent may be eligible for SPL and ShPP if they and the mother satisfy the eligibility conditions.

See Shared Parental Leave and Pay for more information about eligibility and entitlement. You should also contact your employer for further information and information on what you need to do to access this scheme.

You can also contact HM Revenue & Customs enquiry line on 0300 200 3500 for more information regarding eligibility.

2.6 Paternity leave and pay

Employees may have a right to 1 or 2 weeks paternity leave and Statutory Paternity Pay so that they can take time off work to care for the baby or support the mother following birth. To get this the employee must be either the baby's biological father or the partner of the mother, and take responsibility for the child's upbringing.

2.7 Time off for dependants

Employees have the right to take a reasonable amount of time off work to deal with certain unexpected emergencies involving a dependant.

2.8 The right to request flexible working

Parents of children under the age of 17 or a disabled child under 18 who receives Disability Living Allowance have the right to request flexible working patterns. Employers are required to give such requests serious consideration and may only turn down such requests if they follow a set procedure and are able to justify the decision.

3. Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

3.1 Introduction

Statutory Maternity Pay ( SMP) is a weekly payment made by employers to their employees or former employees. Employers pay SMP to those women who have been employed by them prior to becoming pregnant and during their pregnancy. So if you were not employed in your pregnancy you cannot get SMP, but you may be able to get Maternity Allowance (MA) from Jobcentre Plus.

Qualifying women are entitled to SMP whether or not they intend to return to work for that employer.

There are no age limits to qualify for SMP. If you are under 16, you can qualify for SMP from your employer if you satisfy the rules.

SMP can be paid for a maximum period of 39 weeks.

The important date for working out your SMP is the date your baby is due not when your baby is actually born. The week in which your baby is due is referred to as the Expected Week of Childbirth ( EWC)

The amount of SMP you get depends on how much you earn.

If you think you may be entitled to SMP, please read the following pages very carefully. See terminology for meanings of abbreviations or technical phrases.

Before you read on, it may help if you work out the date of the start of your qualifying week. This is a very important date.

The qualifying week is the 15th week before the week in which your baby is due. The definition of a week for the qualifying week is a period of 7 days that begins at midnight between Saturday and Sunday.

To work out your qualifying week, use a calendar and find the Sunday of your expected week of childbirth. Then count back 15 Sundays (do not include the Sunday of your EWC).

The 15th Sunday is the beginning of your qualifying week.

Example:

Baby due Friday 10 October 2014
EWC begins Sunday 5 October 2014
15 Sundays before is 22 June 2014
Therefore qualifying week is 22 June 2014 to 28 June 2014

Who is your employer?

Your employer is someone who is liable to pay the employer's share of your Class 1 NI contributions (or would do if you earned enough or were old enough to pay this). You do not have to have a written contract of service. And your employer does not actually have to have paid any NI contributions for you.

3.2 Eligibility

To qualify for SMP, you have to satisfy 2 basic rules:

the continuous employment rule

the earnings rule

There are also other things you must do to qualify. You must:

tell your employer when you want your SMP to start

provide medical evidence of the date your baby is due

3.3 The continuous employment rule

To qualify for SMP, you must satisfy the continuous employment rule.

You must have been employed by your employer for a continuous period of at least 26 weeks into the qualifying week (which is the 15th week before the week in which the baby is due). This period must include at least 1 days employment in the qualifying week.

Although continuous employment usually means employment by the same employer without a break, there are some circumstances when breaks in employment can be disregarded (see below). The employment rule may be modified slightly if your baby is born prematurely.

When broken employment can be taken as continuous

Continuous employment usually means employment by the same employer without a break, but it does not always mean this. There are circumstances when a change of employer can be disregarded. And under some circumstances, your employment can be treated as continuous in spite of some breaks.

For SMP purposes, your employment can be taken as continuous if any one of the following applies:

you are absent (for periods of 26 consecutive weeks or less) because of sickness, injury, pregnancy or childbirth

you have taken a period of statutory maternity leave, adoption leave, paternity leave or parental leave (in which case, that period counts towards your period of continuous employment)

you did not take maternity leave but you were not working because you had a break to give birth; you worked for your employer before and after the break, and the break is not more than 26 weeks

your work has temporarily ceased because your employer was unable to offer you any work

you are away in circumstances in which, by arrangement or custom, your employment is regarded as continuing for some purposes (for example, if you are a teacher employed on term-by-term contracts with the same or associated employers)

you were unfairly dismissed and, after action under the Employment Rights Act 1996, were reinstated (or would have been, but for your pregnancy) and have refunded any redundancy or equivalent payment you received from your employer when you were dismissed

you were reinstated or re-engaged after following the dispute resolution procedure under Employment Act 2002

you are away because of a stoppage of work during an industrial dispute - a strike does not break continuity of employment, but the weeks or part weeks of a strike do not count towards your 26 weeks of employment

after a spell in the Armed Forces, you return to your previous employer under the Reserve Forces (Safeguard of Employment) legislation within 6 months of your service ending. In this case your previous period with your employer can be treated as continuous together with your present one, but not the period of the break

If you are employed by an agency

If you are employed by an agency, in each of the 26 weeks into the qualifying week, you will satisfy the continuous employment rule. As long as you did some work during any week it counts as a full week.

There may be complete weeks when you did no work for the agency. This does not necessarily mean that your continuity of employment is broken.

Deciding the continuous employment question: If the agency was unable to offer you work in any particular week, continuity is not broken. If the agency did offer work, but you were not available, the period of absence can count only if you were unable to work because of sickness, injury or pregnancy or parental, paternity or adoption leave.

Employment in the qualifying week: If you were not employed in the qualifying week ( QW), you can still be treated as employed in that week if:

the agency had no work for you in that week and

you were not intending to start your maternity leave at that time, and remained available for work after the QW as soon as the agency had something for you and

you did in fact have further employment with the agency before starting your maternity leave

If you had intended to go on working but stopped before the QW because of sickness, you can be regarded as working into the QW. You must actually resume work with the agency within 26 weeks of stopping before this can apply. If you have stopped looking for work through a particular agency before the start of the QW, you are not entitled to SMP from that agency. But you may be entitled to claim Maternity Allowance from Jobcentre Plus.

If you stop work before the qualifying week

You will not normally qualify for SMP if your employment ends before the qualifying week. This is the 15th week before the week in which your baby is due.

However, if your baby is born prematurely before the QW you will be taken as satisfying the continuous employment rule if you would have been continuously employed but for early childbirth.

If you stop work during or after the qualifying week

If your employment ends during or after the qualifying week you can still qualify for SMP from your former employer.

Change of employer

If you change jobs during your pregnancy, you are unlikely to be able to meet the SMP continuous employment rule.

But there are circumstances when your employment can be treated as continuous, even if your employer changes. For SMP purposes, your employment is treated as continuous if any of the following applies:

3.4 The earnings rule

The lower earnings limit is reviewed regularly, usually in April. If it changes while you are pregnant, remember that the lower earnings limit that applies to you will be the one that was current on the Saturday at the end of your qualifying week. The lower earnings limit is £111 a week for the tax year 2014/15 and £112 a week for the tax year 2015/16.

Working out your average weekly earnings

Your employer must work out your average weekly earnings to find out whether or not you qualify for SMP and, if so, at what rate. As a general rule, your earnings will be averaged over a period of at least 8 weeks up to and including the last pay day before the end of the qualifying week. This period is called the 'relevant period'. But the calculation may differ from this, depending on your pay period.

Sick pay, overtime, bonus payments, arrears of pay and even, in most circumstances, holiday pay, must all be included if you actually get them at this time. It is when you get the money that counts, not when it was earned.

If you are a student in receipt of a bursary, your bursary is not treated as earnings for SMP purposes.

Salary sacrifice

Salary sacrifice is a contractual arrangement where an employee voluntarily gives up the right to some of their earnings in return for some form of benefit from their employer eg childcare vouchers.

Pay rises

The end of the maternity leave means the end of any ordinary or additional maternity leave you take.

Example A

In this example the woman is due a pay increase on 1 July each year and is entitled to SMP. Her maternity leave is 6 February 2013 to 4 February 2014. The beginning of the relevant period for calculating SMP is likely to have been around 28 October 2012.

The employer in this case must re-calculate SMP to take account of the pay rise due from 1 July 2013 because the effective date of the pay rise fell in the period 28 October 2012 to 4 February 2014.

Example B

In this example the woman is due a pay increase on 1 July each year and is entitled to SMP. Her maternity leave is 1 August 2013 to 31 July 2014. The beginning of the relevant period for calculating SMP is likely to have been around 21 April 2013.

The employer must recalculate SMP to take account of the pay rise due from 1 July 2013, and because the woman is still on maternity leave on 1 July 2014, the employer must recalculate her SMP for the second time. This is because the effective date of the pay rises fell in the period 21 April 2013 to 31 July 2014.

If in this example the woman decides to return to work early and end her maternity leave on 5 May 2014, then it is only the 1 July 2013 pay rise that will affect her SMP.

If you are paid weekly

Your employer will usually add together all your gross weekly earnings in the 8 weeks up to and including the last pay day before the end of your qualifying week. The total will then be divided by 8 to give your average weekly earnings.

Note: If a normal payment has been paid early, for example, before a holiday, the payments in the 8 week period should be divided by the number of weeks they cover.

If you are paid monthly

All the pay you get in the 2 months up to and including the last normal pay day before the end of the qualifying week will count. If you are paid once each calendar month, for example on the last working day of the month or on the same date each month, your employer will usually add together all the pay you received in these 2 months, divide by 2, multiply by 12 and then divide by 52 to give your average weekly earnings.

If you are paid monthly but are paid in multiples of a week (for example, on the last Friday of each month), your employer will usually add together all the pay you received in these 2 months and divide the total by the number of weeks covered by the payments to give your average weekly earnings.

If you are paid at other intervals

Your employer must add together your pay on your last normal pay day before the end of the qualifying week and any other pay received since (but not including) the last pay day to fall at least 8 weeks before that one. Your pay for this period is then averaged out, any odd days being counted as one-seventh of a week each.

For example, if your qualifying week ends on Saturday 16 March 2013, you were paid on Monday 11 February 2013, Thursday 27 December 2012 and Tuesday 18 September 2012.

This means that the last pay day before the end of the qualifying week is 11 February 2013. The last payday to fall at least 8 weeks before 11 February 2013 is 18 September 2012. Therefore the period used to average your payments is from 19 September 2012 to 11 February 2013 inclusive (the relevant period). The payments made to you on 27 December 2012 and 13 February 2013 are averaged over that period by counting the number of days in the relevant period. There are 146 days in this period, so to get a weekly average the sum of these earnings is divided by 146 and multiplied by 7.

If you are in any doubt, get your employer to show you how your average weekly earnings have been worked out.

If your baby is born prematurely before the end of the qualifying week, the relevant period for working out your average earnings will usually be the 8 weeks ending with the Saturday before the week in which your baby is born.

If your contract ends

If you satisfy both the continuous employment rule and the earnings rule, your employer must pay you SMP even if your contract ends at any time after the start of the 15th week before the week your baby is due.

If you are taken into custody

When you are discharged from custody, you still will not be able to get SMP. But you may be able to get Maternity Allowance from Jobcentre Plus.

If you go abroad

3.5 Reasons for not getting SMP

The following are all reasons why you might not be able to get SMP:

If you are pregnant and you think you are eligible for SMP from your employer, you must tell your employer that you intend to stop work to have the baby and the day you want your SMP to start. You must also provide your employer with evidence of when your baby is due.

Telling your employer

Most women will be able to take maternity leave from their work. To claim maternity leave you must tell your employer no later than the end of the qualifying week (which is the 15th week before the week in which the baby is due) that you are pregnant and:

the date you expect your baby

the date you want to start your maternity leave

You must give your employer at least 28 days notice of the date you want your SMP to start. Your employer may need your notice in writing. You can change your mind about the date but you must give 28 days notice of the new date.

If you can get both maternity leave and SMP it is best to tell your employer the date you want your SMP to start at the same time as you tell your employer about your leave.

If it is not possible to give 28 days notice for payment of SMP, you must tell your employer as soon as you can. If your employer considers it was reasonably practicable for you to have given notice earlier than you did, they can refuse to pay you SMP.

If your baby is born prematurely, before you had given notice to your employer, you may still be able to get SMP. Also see pregnancy and maternity rights in the workplace.

Proving your baby is due

You must give your employer medical evidence of the date your baby is due. This will normally be on a maternity certificate (MATB1) that you can get from your doctor or midwife. You cannot get this certificate until you reach the 20th week before the week in which your baby is due (generally the 21st week of pregnancy). Your doctor or midwife will usually give you the MATB1 at your next antenatal appointment after then.

Your employer may be willing to accept other medical evidence, but this must be broadly the same as a maternity certificate. It must be in writing, it must identify you, it must be issued by your doctor or midwife no more than 20 weeks before the week the baby is due, and it must either be stamped with your doctor's name and address, or show your midwife's name and personal identity number.

You should give your employer the medical evidence no later than 3 weeks after the date SMP was due to start. Your employer may agree to accept your medical evidence later than this if they are satisfied that you had a good reason for the delay. But if you have not given the evidence within 13 weeks of the start of the MPP, for whatever reason, SMP is not payable. Also see when SMP is paid.

Even if your baby is born prematurely, before the maternity certificate could be issued, your employer will still need evidence of the date the baby was actually due. Please read the section about premature births.

More than one employer

Remember that your doctor or midwife can issue you with one maternity certificate (form MATB1) only. So if you do qualify for SMP from more than one employer, your other employer will have to tell you what other medical evidence is acceptable (see proving your baby is due).

Unless your baby is born earlier you cannot get any SMP until 11 weeks before the week your baby is due. But if you remain employed there is flexibility as to exactly when the payments start, and you can chose the date. There are some circumstances when SMP must start. See changes that will affect the start of your SMP.

Maternity Pay Period

Your Maternity Pay Period is determined by the date your baby is due, not by the date your baby is actually born.

If you continue to be employed by your employer on or after the 11th week before the week your baby is due you can chose the day you want your SMP to start. It will start then provided you have stopped work in accordance with the notice you gave to your employer. Your MPP and leave will start sooner in the special circumstances described below. Also see how to get SMP.

3.8 Changes that will affect the start of your SMP

The start date of SMP will change if:

your baby is born before the date you notified (or before you have a notified date) your MPP will begin the day following the birth or

you are absent from work wholly or partly because of your pregnancy but before the date you notified (or before you have a notified date) and this absence occurs in the 4 weeks running up to the week your baby is due. If this happens your MPP will begin the day following the day you are first absent from work because of your pregnancy in those 4 weeks.

Example: a woman works part of the day on Tuesday 11 June 2013 but goes home early because of an illness due to her pregnancy. She does not come into work on Wednesday 12 June for the same reason. Her MPP will start on Thursday 13 June 2013. If she phoned in sick on Wednesday 12 June 2013 the MPP will also start on Thursday 13 June 2013.

If you do not think that your absence is wholly or partly because of your pregnancy, ask your employer to reconsider their decision. If you are still unsure, contact the HM Revenue and Customs employee helpline on 0300 200 3500 for help in working out what SMP you should get. If you still disagree with your employer's decision, the employee helpline will advise you on what you should do next.

To get SMP, you must be employed - but not necessarily have been paid or worked - during the qualifying week. If your baby is born before the qualifying week see premature births.

The Maternity Pay Period can last up to 39 weeks from the day it starts.

Baby born late

If your baby is born later than the week in which it was due, and after your MPP had started, your SMP is not affected. Your MPP remains the same. However, if you are incapable of work when your MPP ends, you may be able to get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from your employer or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) from Jobcentre Plus.

Industrial disputes

Industrial or trade disputes have no effect on the start of the maternity pay period. If you are involved in such a dispute, you can still give your employer notice of the date your maternity leave will start. This date can be within the period of the dispute. And the notice that you have already given to your employer is not affected by a subsequent trade dispute.

More than one employer

If you have more than one employer, you may be entitled to more than 1 lot of SMP. Although you may want to stop work in each job at the same time, you can still go on working longer with one of them if you feel you can do so. Your MPPs with each employer would then start at different times.

More than one contract with same employer

You may also be entitled to more than 1 lot of SMP if you have separate contracts with the same employer. You can start your SMP at different times in relation to each contract.

If you leave your employment

If you leave your employment after the start of the qualifying week you can still get SMP, but:

if you leave your employment after the start of the qualifying week but before the start of the 11th week before your EWC, your MPP will start from the 11th week before your EWC

if you leave your employment after the start of the 11th week before your EWC but before the date you told your employer you wanted your MPP to start, your MPP will start from the day after you leave your employment

If you leave your employment after your MPP has started, you will still continue to get SMP from your former employer.

National Health Service employees

If you work for a health authority at more than 1 hospital or unit and 1 (or more) of those hospitals or units become an NHS trust then you will have 2 or more contracts of employment.

This may mean that you will get more than 1 lot of SMP. It may also mean that because your earnings have been split between contracts, your average earnings under 1 or more of those contracts are below the lower earnings limit you will not qualify for SMP. See more than one employer and lower earnings limit (LEL) for more information.

There are special rules for this situation. If you were employed by a health authority when your contract was split between a health authority and a trust or between trusts, you can elect to have your contracts treated as 1 for SMP purposes if it would be helpful to you.

If you want to elect to have your contracts treated as 1, you should tell each of your employers about your election at least 28 days before the date you intend to stop work to have the baby.

Within 28 days of telling your employers about your election you should give each of your employers the following information:

the name and address of each employer

the date you started working for each employer

details of your earnings from each employer for at least 8 weeks up to and including the qualifying week - if you cannot give this information within the 28 day time limit, you must do so as soon as you can

See working out your average weekly earnings.

If you satisfy all the conditions you will be entitled to SMP for a maximum period of 39 weeks.

See working out your average weekly earnings.

Deductions from SMP

Or your employer may split your weekly payments of SMP over different pay periods, if this fits better with the way your employer normally pays you.

Your SMP can be paid to you through an insurance company, friendly society, payroll service or other third party if you wish, but your employer must make sure that all the necessary income tax and NI deductions are made.

If you have a salary sacrifice agreement with your employer, your employer will work out the SMP payable to you based on your earnings which count for NI contributions. Your employer must then pay the SMP due to you in full. SMP cannot be further reduced by the terms of a salary sacrifice arrangement which runs during your maternity pay period.

Your employer may however make deductions from your SMP, for example tax, NI contributions, trade union subscriptions and pension contributions.

Your SMP must end when your employer has paid you SMP for 39 weeks.

In both of the above circumstances, SMP will stop, but you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance from Jobcentre Plus.

SMP also ends if you die. It cannot be paid to your family.

3.12 Working in your Maternity Pay Period

If you are getting SMP from one employer and, before your baby is born, you do some work for another employer, your SMP is not affected.

If you do any work in a self-employed capacity during your MPP, then such work will not affect your SMP.

Working in the MPP for the employer paying you SMP - Keeping in Touch (KIT) days

KIT days are intended to help you keep in touch with your workplace and allow you to do some work during your Maternity Pay Period without affecting your SMP. They could also help ease your eventual return to work. The type of work you do could be attending work for a training course or for an appraisal interview. These are just examples, but whether you take advantage of these days is your choice - both you and your employer should agree that you can work on those days. Your employer does not have any right to insist that you work.

Any work you do as a KIT day, even as little as half an hour for example, will be counted as a whole day for KIT days. They can be taken as single days; in blocks of two or more days; or can be taken consecutively. Once you have used up your 10 KIT days and you do any further work, you will lose a week's SMP for the week in the Maternity Pay Period in which you have done that work. If a week in your Maternity Pay Period contains only KIT days, you will be paid SMP for that week. If a week in your Maternity Pay Period contains the last KIT day and you do a further days work in the same week for the employer paying you SMP, you will lose SMP for that week.

More than one payment of SMP

You can only use KIT days with the employer paying you SMP. You cannot use KIT days for any work you do for any employer other than the employer who is paying you SMP. If, after your baby is born, you do any work for an employer who did not employ you in the qualifying week, your SMP will stop.

3.13 What to do if your employer says you should not get SMP

If your employer decides that they should not pay you SMP, they must give you form SMP1. Form SMP1 explains why you cannot get SMP. Your employer must return any maternity certificate you have given them. If you think you are entitled to MA you should get a form MA1 from your maternity or child health clinic, or contact Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688. The form, Maternity Allowance (MA1) can also be downloaded. Complete it and take or send it to your Jobcentre Plus office with form SMP1 and the maternity certificate.

Also see if you think your employer's decision is wrong.

If your employer is not liable to pay contributions under the NI scheme, you are not entitled to SMP. You should ask your employer to give the reasons for non-payment in writing. Provided you are not entitled to SMP from another employer, you should make a claim for Maternity Allowance.

3.14 Occupational Maternity Pay

Your employer cannot pay you less than your SMP entitlement. They may pay you more if you are entitled to a higher rate of maternity pay under your employment contract.

If your employer does have an occupational maternity pay scheme, you will have to keep to its rules if you want to get all the pay you are entitled to. Your employer can usually pay you SMP as part of your occupational maternity pay, or vice versa. But if the occupational scheme is funded entirely by the employees your employer cannot treat your maternity pay as part of SMP.

3.15 Premature births

If your baby is born prematurely, the start date of your Maternity Pay Period ( MPP) may or may not be affected, depending on just how premature the birth is.

If your baby is born after your MPP has started

Your SMP will not be affected. You can still get SMP for the full payment period. Your employer should pay it to you just as if the baby had been born when it was due.

If your baby is born before your MPP has started but after the qualifying week

You must, if reasonably practicable, inform your employer of the birth within 3 weeks. You will then receive the SMP due to you but the pay period will now start on the day following the day your baby is born and will last for up to 39 weeks.

If your baby is born before or during the qualifying week

Within 3 weeks of the birth, you must give written evidence that you were away from work because of your baby's birth - the baby's birth certificate will do. You must also still provide your employer with medical evidence of the date the baby was due to be born. Evidence of both the expected date and the actual date of birth can be provided together on part B of the maternity certificate (form MATB1) issued by your doctor or midwife. You must do this within 3 weeks of the baby's birth. Your employer may agree to extend this time limit to 13 weeks (but no longer) if they feel you had good reason for delay.

You will be taken as satisfying the continuous employment rule if you would have satisfied it but for your early childbirth. The period over which the earnings rule is applied and your average weekly earnings are calculated will be the 8 weeks that end with the Saturday before the birth of your baby. The payment period will start on the day following the day your baby was born. If your baby is stillborn before the 24th week of your pregnancy, you won't be entitled to SMP.

See working out your average weekly earnings.

3.16 Twins or multiple births

If you are expecting more than one baby, your entitlement to SMP is exactly the same as if you were expecting only one.

3.17 If your baby dies

If your baby is born dead earlier than the 24th week of your pregnancy you will not be able to get SMP. You may be able to get Statutory Sick Pay from your employer or Employment and Support Allowance.

If your baby is stillborn from the start of the 24th week of pregnancy and you have notification for the registration of a stillbirth from the attending doctor or midwife or a certificate of stillbirth, you are entitled to SMP where all the conditions for payment are satisfied.

If your baby is born alive and then dies, you are still entitled to SMP.

3.18 Mariners and continental shelf workers

You will not get SMP if you are a mariner on a foreign-going vessel or deep sea fishing vessel employed by a UK employer while under a contract for which your employer pays a special low rate of NI contributions. See leaflet on Seafarers available from HM Revenue & Customs website.

If you are a continental shelf worker or a mariner employed by a UK employer trading within the near continental limits you are covered by the SMP scheme.

Moreover, if your baby is born early or you cannot be returned to the mainland when your MPP is due to start, you will be regarded as if you were in the UK.

3.19 Effect of SMP on other benefits

Statutory Sick Pay

Most people who work for an employer and earn enough on average to equal or exceed the NI LEL get SSP from their employer when they are unable to work due to illness or disability. The LEL is £112 a week for the tax year 2015/16 but you do not have to pay NI contributions to be entitled to SSP. However, you are not entitled to SSP if you are sick while you are getting SMP.

Also see changes that will affect the start of your SMP.

Employment and Support Allowance

If you do not go back to work for your employer when your SMP ends because you are incapable of work, and you are not entitled to SSP (for example, because of your maternity absence you may not satisfy the earnings rules), your employer must issue you with an exclusion form SSP1. Follow the instructions on the form if you want to claim Employment and Support Allowance from Jobcentre Plus. If your contract with your employer has ended you should contact Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688 to claim ESA.

For more information contact Jobcentre Plus:

Telephone: 0800 055 6688
Textphone: 0800 023 4888 if you have speech or hearing difficulties

3.20 If your employer cannot pay

your name and address

the date your employer became insolvent

details from your payslips of any payments received and the period covered by the last payment

the date the SMP ends or the date you intend to go back to work

You may also be asked to provide some of this information in writing.

Arrangements can then be made for you to be paid.

HM Revenue & Customs can only pay you from the week of your employer's insolvency. Any SMP you are due for earlier weeks remains the responsibility of your employer.

If your employer is not insolvent or bankrupt, but is in financial difficulties or the business is closed, they should still pay you SMP. Make sure you give your employer notice and medical evidence at the right times. If you have any difficulty in getting payment from your employer, phone the HM Revenue & Customs Statutory Payments Disputes Team on 03000 560 630.

Regardless of your length of service or hours of work you can have certain protections as soon as your employer knows you are pregnant.

If you are dismissed from your job on grounds related to any of the following, you will be entitled to make a complaint of unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal:

pregnancy

childbirth

taking or seeking to take statutory maternity leave

any of the benefits of ordinary maternity leave

any of the benefits of additional maternity leave if your baby is due on or after 5 October 2008

suspension from work for health and safety reasons connected to maternity

It is also direct sex discrimination for an employer to treat you less favourably for a reason related to your pregnancy or maternity leave.

See unfair dismissal and sex discrimination for more information.

3.22 If you need more money

If you find it hard to manage on SMP and any other income you have, you might be entitled to Income Support. You will have to claim this separately at Jobcentre Plus:

For more information phone Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688.

3.23 If you think your employer's decision is wrong

If your employer does not pay you SMP when you think they should, or pays you less than you think you are entitled to, ask them for an explanation of the decision. There may be a good reason for it.

HM Revenue & Customs will look at anything in writing that has to do with the question that has been asked. They will also ask for more evidence from you or your employer if needed.

You and your employer will both get copies of the decision.

Your appeal rights

If you or your employer disagrees with a HM Revenue & Customs decision you can appeal. You have 30 days from the date of the decision to do so.

If you decide to appeal you must write to the HM Revenue & Customs Statutory Payments Disputes Team:

Find more information in the tax tribunal guide.

When will you get paid if you have asked HMRC for a decision?

If neither you nor your employer appeal against HM Revenue & Customs officer's decision and it was in your favour, your employer must pay you by your next pay day or, if that is not possible, no later than the second pay day after the time for appeal has run out.

If the HM Revenue & Customs officer decides that you are not entitled to SMP you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance from Jobcentre Plus.

3.24 Resuming work

You have a right to return to your former job after ordinary maternity leave on the same terms and conditions.

If you take additional maternity leave after ordinary maternity leave you have a right to return to the same job, or one with no less favourable terms and conditions if it is not possible for you to return to your former job.

If your contract of employment gives you different rights to the statutory minimum set out above, you can take advantage of whichever is better for you.

Also see employee rights when on leave: returning to work.

Unemployment

If you do not return to work for your employer after your SMP ends then you may be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance. You can claim JSA only if you are capable of, available for and actively seeking work. Contact Jobcentre Plus on:

Telephone: 0800 055 6688
Textphone: 0800 023 4888 if you have speech or hearing difficulties

You do not have to pay SMP back if you do not return to work.

3.25 Extra help through tax credits

There are 2 tax credits:

Child Tax Credit for families with children

Working Tax Credit to help working people on low incomes

Read more about tax credits.

3.26 National Insurance credits while you are getting SMP

These credits will only be needed if your NI record is deficient in the tax year or years when you received SMP.

If you are a married woman paying reduced rate NI contributions you will not be able to get NI credits.

Contact the HM Revenue & Customs office if you think you need these credits.

4. Maternity Allowance (MA)

4.1 Introduction

Maternity Allowance ( MA) is a benefit paid weekly by Jobcentre Plus to pregnant women. You might get MA if:

you are employed , but not eligible for SMP

you are registered self-employed and paying Class 2 National Insurance Contributions (NICs), or hold a Small Earnings Exception certificate

you have recently been employed or self-employed

you are not employed or self-employed, but you regularly take part in the business of your self-employed spouse or civil partner

you are self-employed, your baby is due on or after 12 July 2015 and payment of Class 2 NICs is based on submission of your Self Assessment tax return

MA can be paid for up to 39 weeks. If you are not employed or self-employed but you take part in the business of your self-employed spouse or civil partner you may be able to get MA for 14 weeks.

The qualifying conditions for MA depend on the date your baby is due not the date your baby is actually born. The week in which your baby is due is referred to as the EWC - expected week of childbirth.

You do not pay income tax or NI contributions on Maternity Allowance.

If you think you may be entitled to MA, please read the following pages very carefully. See terminology for meanings of abbreviations or technical phrases.

If you did not qualify for SMP because you did not earn enough (see 'the earnings rule') and while you were on maternity leave your employer awards a pay rise which you would have received had you not been on maternity leave, you should ask your employer to look again at whether you could get SMP. If after recalculation you qualify for SMP, your employer will pay the difference between any MA paid to you and the SMP due.

4.2 Eligibility

You can only get MA if you cannot get SMP from your employer.

MA for 39 weeks

To qualify for MA, you have to satisfy 2 basic rules:

the employment rule

the earnings rule

You have to satisfy these rules in a test period. The test period is the period of 66 weeks up to and including the week before the week your baby is due.

To get MA you must not be eligible for SMP from any employer.

The employment rule

You must have been employed and/or self-employed for at least 26 weeks in your 66 week test period. The 26 weeks do not have to be in a row and it does not matter how much you earn. You do not have to be actually physically at work to be employed or self-employed; you might be off work sick or have been on Statutory Maternity Leave for an earlier pregnancy for example.

Weeks when you have not worked a full week count towards your 26 weeks.

If you are self-employed, you must be registered as such with HM Revenue & Customs according to their rules.

The earnings rule

Period for calculating average weekly earnings

Your earnings are averaged over any 13 weeks in your test period. The 13 weeks do not have to be in a row and you may choose the weeks with the most earnings to help you get more MA. Earnings from all your jobs (if you have more than 1) and earnings you are treated as having from self-employment will be used to work out your average weekly earnings. If your average is at least equal to £30 a week you will get MA.

If you are an employee the earnings rule is based on your gross earnings during your test period. Gross earnings are your earnings before any deductions and may include:

If you are paid at intervals which are not an exact number of weeks (for example, monthly), Jobcentre Plus will work out your weekly earnings from your payslips. For example, the earnings in a month will be divided by the number of whole weeks in that month to reach a weekly gross earnings figure.

If you are a student in receipt of a bursary, your bursary is not treated as earnings for MA purposes.

from 9 April 2012 treated as earning £150.50

from 8 April 2013 treated as earnings £151.98

from 7 April 2014 treated as earning £153.53

from 6 April 2015 treated as earning £155.09

If you are employed and self-employed, earnings from your employment and earnings you are treated as having from self-employment can be added together to help you get as much MA as you can (up to a maximum of the standard rate).

If you have been self-employed for 26 weeks and your baby is due on or after 12 July 2015 and you have not paid your Class 2 NICs in your test period you will be treated as having earnings of £30 a week. If you have paid your Class 2 NICs based on submission of your Self Assessment or early through the exceptions process which covers 13 weeks in your test period you will be treated as having earnings resulting in the payment of the standard rate of MA.

If you satisfy the employment rule and the earnings rule, you will be entitled to MA for a maximum period of 39 weeks.

The amount you get depends on your gross average weekly earnings. You will get the standard rate of MA, which is £139.58 a week (from 6 April 2015) or 90% of your gross average weekly earnings, if this calculation results in a figure which is less than the standard rate of MA.

If you have paid Class 2 NI contributions at the end of each week in your 13 week earnings period, you will be treated as having enough earnings to receive standard rate MA.

Self-employed contributions paid by 6 monthly payment request bill

Self-employed contributions collected through Self Assessment

Your MA may be delayed if you wait for your bill before you pay your contributions.

If you lose your entitlement to Statutory Maternity Pay

If your SMP stops because you have started work for an employer who did not employ you in your qualifying week and you subsequently stop work, you may be able to claim MA.

Your employer must give you form SMP1, telling you why your SMP has stopped, together with your maternity certificate (form MATB1) or any other medical evidence that you have given him or her. You will need both forms to claim MA.

MA for 14 weeks

If you are not employed or self-employed and your baby is due on or after 27 July 2014 and you take part in the business of your self-employed spouse or civil partner you may be able to get MA for 14 weeks. To be eligible you must satisfy the qualifying conditions in your test period. The test period is the period of 66 weeks up to an including the week before the week your baby is due.

The qualifying conditions are that for at least 26 weeks in your 66 week test period:

you must have been regularly taking part in activities related to the business of your self-employed spouse or civil partner; and

you are not an employee or partner in the business; and

you are not an employed or self-employed earner

Your self-employed spouse or civil partner must in the same 26 weeks be:

registered as self-employed with HMRC; and

liable for payment of class 2 National Insurance contributions if your baby is due on or after 12 July 2015 you must have paid 26 weeks Class 2 NICs; and

working as a self-employed earner

You must also not be receiving SMP or MA for 39 weeks for the same pregnancy.

Payable rate of MA for 14 weeks

If your baby is due on or after 12 July 2015, and your spouse or civil partner has not made sufficient payments of Class 2 NICs to entitle you to receive MA, Jobcentre Plus may need to contact them:

about your claim to advise them of payment of Class 2 NICs and

to obtain their consent for Jobcentre Plus to write to HMRC and

for HMRC to contact them to enable them to make payments of Class 2 NICs early

to help Jobcentre Plus decide if they can pay you MA.

If you do not consent to Jobcentre Plus contacting them about your MA claim to explain how they can make payments of their Class 2 NICs, or if you or your spouse or civil partner do not give consent then this may result in Jobcentre Plus being unable to pay MA to you.

4.4 Reasons for not getting MA

You may not be able to get MA (or will stop getting it if you were initially entitled to it) if:

If you cannot get MA, you may be able to get Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for 6 weeks before the week your baby is due for 14 days after the date on which your baby is born. You do not have to make a claim for ESA, Jobcentre Plus will automatically consider your entitlement to ESA for this period.

You can claim MA when you reach the 14th week before the week in which your baby is due (the 27th week of pregnancy). Ask Jobcentre Plus for a MA Claim pack or you can download a MA claim pack in PDF format.

You can contact Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 66 88.

If you have speech or hearing difficulties you can contact Jobcentre Plus using a textphone on 0800 023 48 88.

More information about Maternity Allowance.

You can also get a MA claim pack from your maternity clinic or child health clinic.

You can claim even if you are still working or taking part in your self-employed spouse's or civil partner's business. Do not delay your claim. If you claim more than 3 months after the date your Maternity Allowance Period (MAP) or your 14 week period is due to start, you will lose money.

When you have filled in the claim form, take it or send it to Jobcentre Plus together with medical evidence of when the baby is due and any other information required. Send form MA1 to the address on the form.

Claim as soon as you can, even if you are still at work or if you do not have the medical evidence needed, or cannot provide any other information needed to complete the claim form. You can send that later but explain in the claim form why you cannot give all the information needed.

Proving your baby is due

You must provide Jobcentre Plus with medical evidence of the date your baby is due. Your doctor or midwife will give you a maternity certificate (form MATB1) after you reach the 20th week before the week in which your baby is due (the 21st week of pregnancy). It cannot be given to you any sooner. Your midwife will usually give you this at your next antenatal appointment from the 21st week of your pregnancy.

Proving your earnings

You must send us original payslips for the 13 week period you have chosen from your test period. Send them to Jobcentre Plus with your MA1 claim form. Your claim may be delayed if you do not send proof of earnings. Your original payslips will be returned to you.

Claiming if you still work for an employer

Claiming if you have stopped working for an employer

If you are not employed during the 15th week before your EWC, you can claim MA by sending or taking your claim form (MA1) and your maternity certificate (form MATB1) to Jobcentre Plus.

Claiming if you are self-employed

If you are self-employed, claim on form MA1, which you should take or send to Jobcentre Plus together with your maternity certificate (form MATB1) and your small earnings exception certificate, if you have one and your baby is due on or before 11 July 2015.

If you were also employed at any time in the 15th week before the week in which your baby is due, you must also provide a form SMP1 with your claim to show why your employer will not pay you SMP. You should get form SMP1 from your employer.

If you are both self-employed and employed and you qualify for SMP from your employer, you cannot get MA as well.

Claiming MA for 14 weeks

If you are not employed or self-employed and your baby is due on or after 27 July 2014 and you take part in the business of your self-employed spouse or civil partner, claim on form MA1. You should take or send this form to Jobcentre Plus together with your maternity certificate (form MAT B1). Jobcentre Plus will contact you if they need any further information about your claim.

Claiming before you stop working or taking part in the business of your self-employed spouse or civil partner

If you decide to work later into your pregnancy, you can claim MA before you stop working. Jobcentre Plus will work out if you can get MA, how much to pay you and how long for. They will send you a form (BM25A) notifying you of your entitlement and asking you to let them know the date when you stop work to have your baby so that payments can start. If you are employed you should also remember to tell your employer about this date so that you can go on maternity leave. More information about maternity leave.

Claiming too early

If you send in your claim too early, Jobcentre Plus will return it to you with any relevant information, and ask you to send it in later.

Claiming after the baby is born

If you have been unable to claim before the birth of your baby because the baby was born earlier than you expected or you have delayed your claim until after the birth ask the doctor or midwife to give you a certificate (MATB1), showing on it the date on which the baby was due.

If you claim more than 3 months after the date your MAP is due to start, you will lose money.

Unless your baby is born earlier you cannot get any MA until 11 weeks before the week the baby is due but only if you stop work before then. If you continue to be employed or self-employed there is some flexibility as to exactly when the payments start, and you can choose the date depending on when you stop work. If you continue to take part in the business of your self-employed spouse or civil partner, your payments will start the day after you stop taking part.

4.7 Payment Period

The Maternity Allowance Period

14 week period

The payment period for MA for 14 weeks is called the 14 week period. MA can be paid for a continuous period of up to 14 weeks.

Working out your MAP or your 14 week period

Your MAP will start at the earliest date if, at the start of the 11th week before the week in which your baby is due, any one of the following applies to you:

you have already given up work as an employed or self-employed person or have stopped taking part in the business of your self-employed spouse or civil partner

you are claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) (this will stop when MA starts)

you are no longer employed or self-employed or taking part, but are claiming Employment and Support Allowance or Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA)

(Exceptionally, if your baby is born prematurely, more than 11 weeks before it was due, your MAP or 14 week period will start earlier.)

If at the start of the 11th week before the week your baby is due any one of the following applies:

you are still working as an employed or a self-employed person

you are getting Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from your employer

you have not yet given up your job but are claiming Employment and Support Allowance or Severe Disablement Allowance

You can choose to start your MAP later once you have stopped work to have your baby.

You can choose the date you want your MAP to start. This may be any day of the week. If you qualify for maternity leave from your employer the start date of your MAP will be the same day as the day your maternity leave begins.

If your baby is born before the date you told your employer you were going to stop work, your MAP will start from the day following the day you gave birth.

Changes that will affect the start of your 14 week period

If at the start of the 11th week before the week your baby is due you are still taking part in the business of your self-employed spouse or civil partner. Your 14 week period will start once you stop taking part. Your 14 week period will start the day after you stop taking part.

If you are absent from work wholly or partly because of your pregnancy on or after the beginning of the fourth week before your EWC the rules below apply.

Absence from work due to pregnancy in the 4 weeks before the week your baby is due

An absence, wholly or partly because of your pregnancy, will trigger the start of your MAP or 14 week period if you are absent from work for a pregnancy-related reason on or after the start of the fourth week before the week your baby is due. Your MAP or 14 week period will then start automatically from the day following the first complete day you are absent from work for a pregnancy-related reason in that 4 week period.

Baby born late

If your baby is born later than the week in which it was due, your MAP or 14 week period will not change if it has already started. If you continue to work beyond the date your baby is due and you give birth, your MAP or 14 week period will start the day following the day your baby was born.

Premature births

If your baby is born prematurely, your MAP or 14 week period may or may not be affected, depending on how premature the birth is.

If your baby is born prematurely after your MAP or 14 week period has started, nothing will change.

If your baby is born before your MAP or 14 week period was due to start, your MAP or 14 week period will start from the day following the day on which your baby was born.

Twins or multiple births

If you are expecting more than one baby, your entitlement to MA is exactly the same as if you were expecting only one.

If your baby dies

If your baby is born dead earlier than the 24th week of your pregnancy you will not be able to get SMP or MA, but you may be able to get Statutory Sick Pay from your employer or Employment and Support Allowance from Jobcentre Plus.

If your baby is stillborn from the start of the 24th week of pregnancy and you have notification for the registration of a stillbirth from the attending doctor or midwife or a certificate of stillbirth, you are entitled to SMP or MA where all the conditions for payment are satisfied.

If your baby is born alive and then dies, you are still entitled to SMP or MA.

Our policy is to pay all benefit directly into an account. This is the safest way to pay you and lets you choose how and when you get your money. You can use a bank or building society account. The Post Office® also provides a bank account that we can pay benefits into.

Payment direct into an account

We recommend that you get your money this way because:

We cannot pay your MA into an account if you are claiming Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance at the same time.

Frequency of payment

Maternity Allowance can be paid every 2 weeks or every 4 weeks directly into your bank or building society.

First payment

We will tell you when the first payment will be made and how much it is for. After that please check with your bank, building society or Post Office® card account to find out how much is paid into your account.

Getting someone to collect your benefit

If you want someone else to collect your benefit for you regularly, you may be able to make arrangements with your bank, building society or, if you have a Post Office® card account, the Post Office. Please ask them to help you with this.

There are special rules that apply when someone is unable to manage their own affairs. Where no one is appointed as a receiver by the Court of Protection or, in Scotland, the person's estate is not being administered by a tutor, curator or other guardian appointed under Scottish law, then Jobcentre Plus may appoint someone to act for them. For more information, contact Jobcentre Plus.

4.10 Changes you must tell us about

You must report any changes which may affect your benefit. These may include:

your baby being born before you said you wanted your MA to start

during the period of the allowance you do any work as an employed or self-employed person

during the period of your allowance you take part in the business of your self-employed spouse or civil partner

during the period of the allowance you start getting SMP

you leave the UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and, for benefit purposes, the Isle of Man)

you are imprisoned or detained in legal custody

Working in your MAP

Keeping in Touch days if you are getting MA for 39 weeks

You are allowed to work as an employed or self-employed person for up to 10 days during your Maternity Allowance Period without losing any MA. These special days are known as Keeping in Touch ( KIT) days.

KIT days are intended to help you keep in touch with your workplace or, if you are self-employed, with your business. They enable you to do some work without affecting your MA and could also help ease your return to work. If you are on maternity leave from your employer, you and your employer must agree that you can work on those days. Your employer does not have any right to insist that you work. If you are not on maternity leave from an employer, or you are self-employed, you are free to decide for yourself whether to do any work or not.

If you work for more than 10 days you must not collect any more money. A decision maker trained in applying Social Security law will decide whether any further payments can be made.

You must tell Jobcentre Plus if you do any work for an employer or work as a self-employed person (including work you do on KIT days) in your Maternity Allowance Period.

Taking part or working in your 14 week period

If you take part in the business of your self-employed spouse or civil partner, or work as an employed or self-employed person during your 14 week period you must tell Jobcentre Plus of this as soon as possible. A decision maker will decide whether any further payments can be made, but you may lose MA for each week you take part or work, or for at least the number of days you take part or work.

4.11 MA and other benefits

While you are receiving MA you will not be entitled to Jobseeker's Allowance. You may still be entitled to benefits such as Income Support, but the amount you get will be reduced by the amount of MA.

Statutory Sick Pay

If you are still employed at the start of the 11th week before the week in which the baby is due and are sick for 4 days or more in a row, you may be able to get SSP for periods of sickness up to the day before MA is due to start. (See below if you are off sick because of your pregnancy in the 4 weeks before the week your baby is due).

More information about Statutory Sick Pay.

Employment and Support Allowance

If you are ill when your MA ends and you cannot get Statutory Sick Pay from your employer, or you no longer have an employer, you may claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

If you are entitled to more than one benefit at the same time (for example, MA and ESA) you will normally get an amount equal to the greater.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

How other benefits and payments affect MA

Your MA may be reduced, or not paid at all, if you get another social security benefit or a training allowance (including an allowance under the Youth Training Scheme).

4.12 NI credits while you are getting MA

If you are a married woman paying reduced rate NI contributions you will not be able to get NI credits.

4.13 Extra help through tax credits

There are 2 tax credits:

Child Tax Credit for families with children

Working Tax Credit to help working people on low incomes

Find out more about tax credits.

4.14 If you are going abroad or have been abroad

The UK has special arrangements with certain other countries that may help you to get MA if you are going abroad or if you have recently been abroad and returned to the UK.

These rules may apply to you if the country concerned is a country within the European Economic Area, or Switzerland, or is a country with whom the UK has a two-way agreement on maternity benefits. These two-way agreements are with Barbados, Guernsey, Israel, Jersey, Turkey and Yugoslavia. Currently, the agreement with the former Yugoslavia is applied separately by the republics of Bosnia-Hercegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.

If you return to the UK after working in any country of the world for your UK employer, other rules may help you to get MA.

You can find out more information on how to get MA if you are going abroad from or coming to the UK by writing to:

Telephone: 0191 218 7777 (or 44 191 218 7777 when calling from abroad) Fax: 0191 218 3836 Email: TVP.internationalqueries@thepensionservice.gsi.gov.uk

Find out more about claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad.

If you are already getting MA in the UK and intend moving abroad you must tell the office where you claimed the date you will leave the UK and what your address will be.

Service Families

4.15 Appeals

What to do if you think this decision is wrong

If you think the decision is wrong, please get in touch with us by telephone, or in writing, within 1 month of the date of your letter. If you do not contact us within 1 month of the date of your letter we may only be able to change the decision from the date you contact us. Our telephone number and address are at the top of your letter.

You can appeal against this decision, but you cannot appeal until we have looked at the decision again. We call this a Mandatory Reconsideration.

You, or someone who has the authority to act for you, can ask us:

for an explanation of the decision

a written statement of reasons for the decision, if we have not already sent one

to look at the decision again, to see if it can be changed - there may be some facts you think we have overlooked, or you may have further information that affects the decision

When we have looked at the decision again, we will send you a letter explaining what we have done. We call this a Mandatory Reconsideration Notice. This will include the information you need to be able to appeal.

5.1 Employment and Support Allowance

5.2 Jobseeker's Allowance

5.3 Income Support

You may be able to claim Income Support from the period beginning 11 weeks before your expected date of childbirth and ending 15 weeks after the date your pregnancy ends. You may also be able to claim at any time during your pregnancy if you are unable to work because of your pregnancy.

5.4 Sure Start Maternity Grant

If you live in Scotland

You will need to apply for a Pregnancy and Baby Payment. You can no longer apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant.

The Pregnancy and Baby Payment is a one-off payment of £600 for your first baby and £300 for a new baby if you have older children living with you. You could get an extra £300 if you have a multiple birth (such as twins).

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment to help with the cost of a new baby.

You are only eligible for a Sure Start Maternity Grant if: the baby you are claiming for is the only child under 16 in the family unless the other child under 16 is:

dependent on you or your partner and their baby is the subject of the claim in question

one of twins or a greater number of children expected or born from the same pregnancy

You or your partner must be getting:

Income Support, or

Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or

Employment and Support Allowance (income-related), or

Pension Credit, or

Working Tax Credit where a disability or severe disability element is included in the award, or

Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element

One of the following must also apply at the date you claim:

You can also claim if you or your partner are getting one of the benefits or entitlements above and have:

If you are waiting for a decision on a qualifying benefit or entitlement, you must still claim within the time limits above.

More information about Sure Start Maternity Grant.

If you do not qualify for SMP, MA or ESA, you may still be entitled to some NI credits for 6 weeks before the week your baby is due until 2 weeks after the date your baby is born. However, if you are a married woman paying reduced rate NI contributions you will not be able to get NI credits. You must send your maternity certificate (MATB1) to Jobcentre Plus and you must not work during that time. These credits will maintain your NI record and assist you in any future claims to other benefits.

6. Further information

If you have any enquiries relating to Statutory Maternity Pay please contact HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) Employee Helpline on 0845 302 1479.

Find more general information about benefits.

If you have any enquiries about your current entitlement to MA or wish to report a change of circumstances, please contact Jobcentre Plus.

6.1 Rates of benefits

Rates of benefits are published each year in Social Security (Uprating) Regulations which are approved by Parliament usually at the start of each year. Benefits are usually uprated from April, at the beginning of the financial year.

Details of the current rates of all social security benefits, including maternity benefits, are available in the leaflet benefit and pension rates.

6.2 Acts, Regulations and detailed information

This is only a guide to maternity benefits. It has no status in law. For more detailed information on maternity benefits, including the full legal documents passed by Parliament, you may want to consult some of the following publications.

The detailed rules of maternity benefits, including benefit rates and entitlement, are contained in Acts of Parliament and in Regulations made by the Secretary of State and approved by Parliament. You can buy copies of the Acts and all the Regulations through bookshops or direct from the publishers - The Stationery Office Ltd. Many libraries will also hold copies for you to consult.

Acts and Regulations

The Acts and main Regulations which govern maternity benefits are currently:

The Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (Chapter 4), sections 164 to 171 and Schedule 13

The Statutory Maternity Pay (General) Regulations 1986 (SI 1986 No 1960)

The Statutory Maternity Pay (Compensation of Employers) and Miscellaneous Amendment Regulations 1994 (SI 1994 No 1882)

The Statutory Maternity Pay and Statutory Adoption Pay (Curtailment) Regulations 2014

Other relevant Acts and Regulations are:

Part 7 of the Children and Families Act 2014

Shared Parental Pay (General) Regulations 2014

Shared Parental Leave Regulations 2014

Social Security Act 1998

Social Security Administration Act 1992

Social Security and Child Support (Decision and Appeals)Regulations 1999 (SI 1999/991)

The Statutory Maternity Pay (Medical Evidence) Regulations 1987 (SI 1987 No 235)

The Statutory Maternity Pay (Persons Abroad and Mariners) Regulations 1987 (SI 1987 No 418)

The Statutory Maternity Pay (National Health Service Employees) Regulations 1991 (SI 1991 No 590)

The Social Security (Medical Evidence) Regulations 1976 (SI 1976/615)

The Social Security (Maternity Allowance) (Work Abroad) Regulations 1987 (SI 1987 No 417)

The Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987 (SI 1987 No 1968)

The Social Security (Credits) Regulations 1975 (SI 1975 No 556)

The Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001 No 1004)

The Regulations may be changed or added to from time to time by Amendment Regulations. Also, each year a set of Uprating Regulations is published which change the benefit rates.

The Law Volumes (known as the Blue Volumes)

The Stationery Office also publishes a series of loose-leaf books known as the 'Blue Volumes'. These volumes contain all the Acts and Regulations and are indexed and kept up to date by regular supplements. You can consult a copy at your Jobcentre Plus office. Many libraries also have a copy. You can also view the Acts and Regulations on the DWP website.
The Law Relating to Social Security
The Decision Maker's Guide and the Social Security Commissioners

The Decision Maker's Guide (DMG) gives guidance to decision makers on the interpretation of the law for all benefits. The DMG Volumes 1 to 14 are written by DWP and aim to ensure consistency in decision making throughout the country.

You can also consult a copy of the DMG at your Jobcentre Plus office.

The role of the Social Security Commissioners is to decide appeals on a point of law from decisions of Appeal Tribunals. Reported decisions of the Commissioners deal with matters of important legal principles and must be followed by decision makers and Appeal Tribunals. They are published by the DWP and are issued as quarterly supplements (these supplements make up into two-year binders) covering all types of benefit.

7. Terminology

ASPP - Additional Statutory Paternity Pay

BIS - Department for Business Innovation and Skills

Childbirth - labour resulting in a live birth, or labour after at least 24 weeks of pregnancy

DWP - Department for Work and Pensions.

ESA - Employment and Support Allowance

European Economic Area - all the European Union countries and Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. Switzerland is not a member of the EEA, but the EC rules on social security also apply to Switzerland.

European Union - member countries are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.

EWC - Expected Week of Childbirth: the week starting on a Sunday in which your baby is due

KIT - Keeping in Touch days

LEL - lower earnings limit: the point at which you start to be treated as if you have paid National Insurance (NI) contributions

MA - Maternity Allowance

MAP - Maternity Allowance Period: the continuous period of up to 39 weeks in which you can be paid MA

MAT - Maternity Allowance Threshold: minimum level of earnings to qualify for MA

MA test period - the period of 66 weeks immediately preceding the week in which your baby is due

Maternity certificate (MATB1) - certificate issued by a doctor or midwife showing the date on which your baby is due

MPP - Maternity Pay Period: the continuous period of up to 39 weeks in which you can be paid SMP

NI - National Insurance

NICs - National Insurance contributions

Primary earnings threshold - the point at which you have to start actually paying National Insurance contributions

Qualifying Week - the 15th week before the beginning of the week in which your baby is due

SAP - Statutory Adoption Pay

ShPP - Shared Parental Pay

SMP - Statutory Maternity Pay

SPL - Shared Parental Leave

SPP - Statutory Paternity Pay

SPT - Small Profits Threshhold

SSP - Statutory Sick Pay

United Kingdom (UK) - England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not part of the UK.*

Week - generally a period of 7 days that begins at midnight between Saturday and Sunday. Where SMP begins on a day other than a Sunday, a week means any period of 7 days such as Thursday to Wednesday.

Year - period of 12 months such as from 3 November 2010 to 2 November 2011.

*The Isle of Man may be treated as part of the UK for the purpose of benefits.

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This is only a guide to maternity benefits it has no status in law. It does not cover all the rules in the maternity benefits scheme for every situation, nor does it provide a full interpretation of the rules. So it should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law.

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Maternity allowance s available from 26 weeks of pregnancy.

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Maternity Allowance is paid to pregnant women who do not get Statutory Maternity Pay - rate, eligibility, apply, form MA1

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Remember you are entitled to free prescriptions and NHS dental care with you Maternity Exemption Certificate which your midwife can give you.

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Kent and Medway - Bump, Birth and Beyond

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Financial support for families :: Kent and Medway - Bump, Birth and Beyond

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Having a baby is exciting but it can also be an expensive time and could put a strain on your finances.

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Citizens Advice.

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Dealing with money worries and debt is always a stressful and scary process. Taking debt advice is the first step but sometimes acknowledging the problem and taking this advice is also the hardest part.

At Citizens Advice Medway, we can help with this. Our Money Advice Service Debt Advice Project (MAS) is available to anyone who is experiencing financial difficulties, however large or small. MAS's mission is to equip our clients with the knowledge and ability to feel empowered to manage their finances on their own.To get started on this, you'll first need to go through an Initial Check to determine if your case can be referred to our MAS Project. If so, we'll support you through the entire process of managing your current debts. We'll help you determine how much you can afford to pay currently, and which debts are the most important to focus on first. With our help, you'll no longer have to worry alone.

During your first meeting with a MAS Project Worker, they will discuss your financial situation and fully assess your needs. This will lead to a recommended course of action that will improve your state of financial affairs and ultimately lead to a resolution. Some of the methods our team uses to achieve this are self-help, discussing insolvency options, and/or referring you to another free money advice organisation that can provide ongoing support if necessary.

If you're on low income, try using this simple budget planner to get started with managing your money better.

The MAS Project Team is also able to help negotiate with creditors on your behalf to arrange affordable monthly repayments. However, please note, that once this is arranged, it is your responsibility to ensure these payments are continued to be made on time.

The MAS Project team can help with:

Determining how much income you have,

Identifying how you can increase your income,

Identifying which debts should be your top priorities (i.e. those that have the most serious consequences if you don't pay them),

Providing you with a letter to use when you are writing to those you owe money to,

Setting up realistic payment offers,

& explaining the other options that are available to you (e.g. debt relief orders or individual voluntary arrangements).

In rare cases where our team is unable to assist (such as bankruptcy petitions), we will refer you to an external specialist debt agency to help.

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Dealing with money worries and debt is always a stressful and scary process. Citizens Advice Medway's dedicated Money Advice Service can help you!

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Look up your postcode here to apply for the council tax reduction scheme.

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Apply to your local council for Council Tax Reduction (sometimes called Council Tax Support).

You'll get a discount on your bill if you're eligible.

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.

What you get depends on:

where you live - each council runs its own scheme

your circumstances (for example income, number of children, benefits, residency status)

your household income - this includes savings, pensions and your partner's income

if your children live with you

if other adults live with you

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Apply to your local council for Council Tax Reduction if you're on a low income or benefits - this replaced Council Tax Benefit

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If you're on a low income, you may be eligible for the Council Tax Reduction scheme to reduce your Council Tax bill.

Eligibility

To claim a Council Tax Reduction you must:

be 18 or older

have a low income

have under £16,000 in savings and capital (unless you receive Pension Credit)

be treated as liable for Council Tax for the property you live in

not be a full-time student or treated as a person from abroad.

Capital includes money in savings or bank accounts, shares, investments or property. Do not include the value of the home that you live in or personal possessions. Certain other types of capital are also ignored. For full details email benefits@medway.gov.uk.

Changes to the Council Tax Reduction scheme in 2022

Each year we decide whether to change the Council Tax Reduction scheme for working age applicants in our area.

Find out how the Council Tax Reduction scheme works.

Council Tax Reduction scheme 2023 to 2024

Download full details of the Council Tax Reduction scheme.

What you'll need to apply

To apply for Council Tax Reduction, you'll need to provide:

proof of identity

income and savings

household circumstances.

Apply for a Council Tax Reduction
Uploading evidence

You can upload evidence to us online using our online form.

Find out how to upload your evidence.

Other reductions and discounts

You may also be eligible for a reduction or exemption if you:

View disregards and other Council Tax reductions.

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Find out if you are eligible for the tax reduction scheme and what you'll need to provide when applying

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Swale Sisters can provide sustainable period products for free.

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Swale Sisters will provide a starter pack of sustainable products for you to try, many of which will save money in the long run and reduce waste.

On average, 286 products per person enter the waste stream every year, with a years worth of period products having a carbon footprint of 5.3 kg CO ₂. By switching to reusable products which can have a lifespan of 5-10 years, this can save around £492 per year - that's £2.460 over 5 years.

The products available include:

Period pants

Reusable pads

Menstrual cups

100% plastic free pads & tampons

Place your order here or visit @SwaleSisters on Facebook for more information. There are collection points in Sittingbourne, Faversham, Queenborough & Sheerness.

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Published on Friday, 8 April, 2022 and last updated on Monday, 18 April, 2022

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In March 2023 SATEDA launched the Kent & Medway Community Sharewear.

It’s simple. They collect high-quality unwanted clothes and provide them free-of-charge to women and children in economic difficulty, using a combination of a referral system for individuals and an outreach service for organisations.

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Kent & Medway Community Sharewear - SATEDA

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Kent & Medway Community Sharewear is a free clothing scheme for women and children our community who are in economic difficulty.

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Can provide interview and work clothing and also 1:1 interview training to women wishing to go back to work.

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Please note: Service Area labels are used to help refine search results and will be hidden from view in the final listing.

We are a charity that provides free, high quality clothing for interviews and free interview training for unemployed women. We can help you with an upcoming interview by sending you a package of workwear, chosen especially for you, and an hour of 1-1 interview coaching, by phone or video call, with one of our friendly and experienced coaches. We can also help you before the interview stage with CV support and job applications or ways that you can develop your skills. Ask your employment advisor to refer you for a Smart Works appointment on 020 7288 1770.

Tagged as: Clothing, CV Support, Employability, Employment, Employment Support, Interview Skills, Interviews, Job Applications, Unemployed, Unemployed Women, Workwear

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Employment Support for Women | Live Well Kent

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We are a charity that provides free, high quality clothing for interviews and free interview training for unemployed...

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Our Baby Bundles project provides clothing, toiletries and equipment to disadvantaged local families, who have baby under 2 years old.

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Our Baby Bundles project provides clothing, toiletries and equipment to disadvantaged local families, who have baby under 2 years old.

The first 1000 days of a baby's life, from pregnancy to 2yrs, are the most important in terms of development. But they can also be the most challenging as a parent - even more challenging if you are in difficult circumstances.

Sadly many of our recipients can afford little for their new babies. Many of the families we help live in poverty, are in temporary accommodation, have mental health problems, or have had to flee from home. The gift of a Moses basket full of nappies, freshly washed and ironed clothes, cotton wool, shampoo, towels and pads along with a play mat and a bouncy chair can lift the load enormously.

Generous donations from local families, together with support from local businesses, enable a team of NCT volunteers to recycle items into Baby Bundles Bundles and delivered to local mums and dads in need via health visitors, midwives and children's centres.
Can you help?
If you'd like to support Baby Bundles here's how:

Donate toiletries - we always need (unopened) toiletries for mums and babies: nappies, cotton wool, nappy bags, nappy cream, sponge, hairbrush, baby wipes, baby bath, toothbrushes and toothpaste, breast pads, maternity pads, soap, shampoo, deodorant.

Donate baby equipment - we often need good quality equipment such as play-mats, moses baskets, bouncy chairs, baths, top-and-tail bowls, slings, changing bags, bedding and blankets, towels.

Donate baby clothing - we sometimes need baby and toddler clothing, although our stocks of clothing are ok for now.

Put us in contact with companies or organisations that might want to support our work - either financially or by donating the items.

Make a donation direct - £10 becomes £12.50 with Gift Aid and this would buy a new Moses basket mattress, some breast and maternity pads, a pack of baby wipes and a baby brush and comb set.

Tell others about Baby Bundles does - maybe they can help!

Please contact us at babybundlesst@nct.org.uk if you have any toiletries, equipment or clothing you wish to donate. Our volunteers can let you know whether it would be useful, and if it is then arrange a collection or drop off.

We are unable to accept donations of: electrical items, car seats, baby walkers, food, bottles, dummies and maternity clothing.
Receiving a Baby Bundle
If you are pregnant, or have a new baby, and would like a Baby Bundle, please speak to your health visitor, midwife or children's centre early help practitioner in the first instance. They can contact us on: babybundlesst@nct.org.uk
Impact
Since November 2013 when the Baby Bundles project was set up, we have helped over 280 families - that's more than one a week.

" Thank you for the lovely Bundle of baby items I received, the bits what I received were much needed and it has been a massive weight lifted from my mind. " (Recipient.)

" The Baby Bundle was amazing and the family who received it are over the moon - they can, at last, take their little daughter out for a walk in her new pram. " (Practitioner.)

" I've donated several bags of baby clothing to NCT Baby Bundles and will continue to pass on anything that I no longer need. It's great to be able to help local families who need a bit of extra support." (Mum of 4 year old, Sevenoaks.)

" I was so pleased to give the opportunity to donate some bedding to a lovely charity - the transition was super easy and I'm so pleased I have been able to help someone in need. " (Mum of a 1 year old, Borough Green.)
Our supporters
We are grateful to the following organisations for their kind support:

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Our Baby Bundles project provides clothing, toiletries and equipment to disadvantaged local families, who have baby under 2 years old. The first 1000 days of a baby's life, from pregnancy to 2yrs, are the most important in terms of development.

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Storehouse offers clothes and house hold equipment free of charge. Mummy's meals offer a weeks meals to new parents or those who are ill.

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“Because you are seen, valued and loved…” We are passionate about bringing life to our city. Working with the local community to support and empower people helps us to do just that! Everyone is welcome to access our services, you don’t have to believe to belong. We want to see people become the best…

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A baby bank operating in Margate to offer clothes and equipment to mums for the first 6 months of babies life.

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M A M A to M A M A take preloved baby clothes and essentials, and edit them into beautiful collections for gifting to vulnerable expectant Mamas in Thanet. Spreading hope while reducing landfill waste.

How can you help?

We take donations of newborn, 0-3 months and 3-6 months clothing, as well as blankets, muslins, soft toys and comforters. We now also take prams, cots, Moses baskets, changing mats, high chairs, slings, breast pumps and new bottles. If you are a brand that has surplus or imperfect stock of any baby or pregnancy items, we would love to take it off your hands! Please get in touch by email or via Instagram to find out where and how to donate.

Founded by Margate Mama Jayne, and powered by a collective of local volunteers, we package and distribute beautiful boxes of preloved baby clothes and essentials through referrals from maternity services and support workers. The mamas who receive our boxes are experiencing one or more of the following challenges: - living in poverty
- escaping domestic abuse
- fleeing human trafficking
- leaving the care system
- single parenthood

We are currently seeking funding to allow the project to grow and to support these women further through a holistic package of support.

Click on the heart below to donate

Charity number 1202438. Registered address 20 Cliff Terrace, Margate, CT9 1RU

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Curating baby boxes for vulnerable expectant mamas

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Totcycle St Augustine's Church Gillingham, United Reformed Church Hall, Maidstone and Christ Church, Wallis Avenue, Maidstone Park Wood.

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Totcycle St Augustine's Church Gillingham, United Reformed Church Hall, Maidstone and Christ Church, Wallis Avenue, Maidstone Park Wood.

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Totcycle is a baby and toddler bank. They have everything from nappies, wipes and baby formula, to clothing and toys, to larger items such as car seats, stairgates, cots and prams. Most of the items are donated by generous members of the public. Totcycle is open to anyone who needs it, regardless of their situation, and all items are free of charge.

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USE TOTCYCLE

Totcycle is available at all of our Hubs when they are open (see below). Totcycle appointments can be pre-booked by contacting the office or one of our team. Using an appointment system means that everyone visiting Totcycle is given some privacy to explain to our team what they need, and have a one-to-one chat.

We can also sometimes arrange delivery if it's not possible to get to us, or for bulky items such as cots. We cover a wide area (Maidstone, Medway, Isle of Sheppey and Tonbridge and Malling) and so delivery is only possible if we have team available in the area at the time. We also welcome visits from support workers who may be able to pick up Totcycle items on behalf of their clients.

To make it as fair as possible, and to ensure that we can support as many families as we can, we have a few Totcycle terms and conditions, which can be viewed below as part of the Totcycle registration form.

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The Princess Project helps mums and their families to thrive by providing a holistic package of physical, emotional & spiritual support.

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Baby Basics has branches in Dover, Folkstone, Hastings and Chatham and can provide much needed essentials and equipment to those who may be struggling to access the basics.

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Baby Basics is a volunteer-led project aiming to support new mothers and families who are struggling to meet the financial and practical burden of looking after a new baby. Baby Basics started in Sheffield in the spring of 2009, this centre continues to support families across Sheffield working with a wide range of frontline health and social care professionals. There is an ever increasing network of Baby Basics centres across the country each staffed by a committed team of volunteers. For your nearest Baby Basics please click here.

Baby Basics provides much needed essentials and equipment to mothers and families who are unable to provide these items for themselves; including but not limited to teenage mums, people seeking asylum and women fleeing domestic abuse and trafficking.

Working with midwives, health visitors and other professional groups to provide support directly where it is most needed, Baby Basics volunteers lovingly collect, sort and package a 'Moses Basket' of clothing, toiletries and essential baby equipment as an attractive gift to new mothers.

The aim is to help these new mothers practically and generously, demonstrating the love of God through our care. God is at the centre of Baby Basics as we are inspired and motivated by His heart for everyone. Every day we continue - and every item we send out, is thanks to His kindness, grace and provision.

Our vision is based on Matthew 25:37-40:

Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Do You Know Someone Who Needs Our Help?

If you work with vulnerable women or families who are struggling to provide for their newborn baby please get in touch with us.

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Baby Basics is a volunteer-led project aiming to support new mothers and families who are struggling to meet the financial and practical burden of looking after a new baby. Baby Basics started in Sheffield in the spring of 2009, this centre continues to support families across Sheffield working with a wide range of frontline health and social care professionals.

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Bumps and babies.

The Magic Wardrobe has literally hundreds of nearly new baby clothes. We have baby grows, vests, leggings, tops, dresses, shorts, sun hats, muslins, sleep sacks- the list goes on.

If you are having a baby soon, have a new born or know someone who is pregnant, please get them to message me directly or call me on 07776425512.

All of the clothes are in great condition, many are new.

All clothes are given away free of charge

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Magic Wardrobe open tomorrow from 9-12 | By The Magic Wardrobe - Facebook

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Details of financial support which is available to help with energy bills.

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Energy financial support - Kent County Council

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If you are experiencing financial difficulty and paying your energy bill is a concern, there is help available.

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This can be printed out and given to women and families. You may wish to use the online tools within the Padlet to help families access services in their area,

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Here are some useful tips for how to save money on fuel. Plus a link to an app which will show you the cheapest place to buy petrol.

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Check if you might be eligible to use a community transport scheme for travel to appointments.

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Community transport gives you access to a bus or car service if you can't access public transport. They are locally run and managed transport schemes for specific groups or communities.

Parishes, charities and community groups can set up a community transport scheme to give those who cannot easily access other public transport access to a bus or car service.

This might be a local village bus to transport villagers to the nearest town for shopping or a volunteer car service to take people to medical appointments.

We have no statutory obligation to provide community transport schemes, but support and encourage communities to run their own services where there is a need for transport. We can also offer advice, signposting and networking and award community transport grants to help establish, improve or extend a scheme.

Services for all areas

Kent Karrier is a dial-a-ride service. It will take you from your home to set locations, such as the nearest town centre or supermarket.

Patient transport is a service provided by G4S on behalf of the NHS Integrated Care Board for Kent and Medway.

They can help if your medical or physical condition means you cannot use public transport, get a lift, or drive yourself to, and from, your NHS appointment.

You can book patient transport by calling 0800 096 0211.

Services by district

Availability of other community transport services depends on the area you live in:

AgeUK Ashford
Visit the AgeUK Ashford site
Ashford Volunteer Centre

The Ashford Volunteer Centre operates a transport service utilising volunteer drivers. Along with an annual membership, users are also asked to pay a mileage and admin cost.

Wealden Wheels

Wealden Wheels are a not for profit community transport company providing flexible and affordable transport to groups and organisations in rural villages around Ashford.

They are based in Pluckley and operate a small fleet of minibuses. For an annual membership fee, local groups, clubs, schools, other organisations and families can hire the minibuses, either on a self-drive basis or with one of the volunteer drivers.

Canterbury Volunteer Centre

The Canterbury Volunteer Centre operates a transport service utilising volunteer drivers. Along with an annual membership, users are also asked to pay a mileage and admin cost.

Whitstable Volunteer Car Service - Red Zebra

Volunteer Car Service serves the Whitstable area, mainly within the CT5 postcode. It costs £10 to join (or £15 for couples) and is charged at 45p per mile from the volunteer driver's house (£6.50 minimum charge). All drivers are DBS checked.

SMILES Volunteer Transport Service

The SMILES Volunteer Transport Service is available to anyone in the Dartford district. Volunteer drivers use their own cars to take members to medical appointments (for example clinic, hospital, doctor or optician appointments) in the area. They will also drive members to see family and friends if possible. Membership is £18 per year. For more information, please call 01322 29 46 00.

Kent Coast Volunteering

The Kent Coast Volunteering (KCV) service is available for both medical and social trips. The service can help with shopping, to taking you to your appointment even if it is not local, for example to a London hospital, or to visit relatives. There is a membership fee, a mileage cost of 50p and a small admin charge for each trip.

If you wish to book, please contact 01304 38 05 13. KCV asks that you provide 3 working days' notice for a new journey request, but they will always try to accommodate emergencies.

AgeUK Hythe and Lyminge
Visit the Age UK Hythe and Lyminge site
Kent Coast Volunteering

The Kent Coast Volunteering (KCV) service is available for both medical and social trips. The service can help with shopping, to taking you to your appointment even if it is not local, for example to a London hospital, or to visit relatives. There is a membership fee, a mileage cost of 50p and a small admin charge for each trip.

If you wish to book, please contact 01304 38 05 13. KCV asks that you provide 3 working days' notice for a new journey request, but they will always try to accommodate emergencies.

SMILES Volunteer Transport Service

The SMILES Volunteer Transport Service is available to anyone in the Gravesham district. Volunteer drivers use their own cars to take members to medical appointments (for example clinic, hospital, doctor or optician appointments) in the area. They will also drive members to see family and friends if possible. Membership is £18 per year. For more information, please call 01322 29 46 00.

Involve Kent

Involve's community transport service is a community based driving scheme for people living in the Maidstone and Malling area that helps people who cannot manage on public transport because of age, frailty, illness, disability or injury.

Involve can provide trips to places like hospitals, foot clinics, day centres, shops, visits to friends or anywhere else you'd like to go. Drivers are volunteers and use their own cars. They also provide assistance with shopping trips and outings (seaside, Christmas markets etc.) and have a minibus which is available for hire to other community groups.

AgeUK Sevenoaks and Tonbridge

Visit the AgeUK Sevenoaks and Tonbridge site.

Edenbridge Voluntary Transport Service

Edenbridge Voluntary Transport Service is a volunteer car service based near the day centre at Edenbridge hospital. Volunteer drivers use their own cars to take people in the area unable to use public transport, to and from medical appointments at hospitals, clinics, surgeries, opticians, dentists etc. All drivers are DBS checked. For more information please telephone 01732 865353.

IMAGO Dial-2-Drive

Dial 2 Drive (D2D) is a community transport scheme for people unable to access public transport due to older age, illness or disability living in Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas.

Volunteer drivers use their own cars to take clients to medical and social appointments. This includes appointments at local surgeries, hospitals, day centres, hairdressers, opticians, lunch clubs and shopping.

Sevenoaks Volunteer Transport Group

The Sevenoaks Volunteer Transport Group provides a coordinated low-cost local transport scheme catering for elderly, infirm and disabled residents needing assistance with transport to attend medical appointments at clinics and hospitals and activities such as clubs for the disabled. Volunteers provide the transport, using their private cars.

SMILES Volunteer Transport Service

The SMILES Volunteer Transport Service is available to anyone in the Sevenoaks district. Volunteer drivers use their own cars to take members to medical appointments (for example clinic, hospital, doctor or optician appointments) in the area. They will also drive members to see family and friends if possible. Membership is £18 per year. For more information, please call 01322 29 46 00.

Stockbury community bus

The Stockbury community bus runs 3 times each week to local shopping centres.

Swale CVS (Volunteer Transport Scheme)

The Swale Volunteer Centre Volunteer Transport Scheme is available to all local residents who have difficulty using public transport due to accessibility, times, mobility and costs.

The Volunteer Transport Scheme will help you to attend essential appointments such as doctor, dentist and hospital.

Kent Coast Volunteering

The Kent Coast Volunteering (KCV)service is available for both medical and social trips. The service can help with shopping, to taking you to your appointment even if it is not local, for example to a London hospital, or to visit relatives. There is a membership fee, a mileage cost of 45p and a small admin charge for each trip.

If you wish to book, please contact 01304 38 05 13. KCV asks that you provide 3 to 4 days notice for a new journey request, but they will always try to accommodate emergencies.

Thanet Community Transport Association

Visit the Thanet Community Transport Association website.

AgeUK Sevenoaks and Tonbridge

Visit the AgeUK Sevenoaks and Tonbridge site.

Community Car Service

The Community Car Service provides safe transport for people who cannot use public transport. This can be for a variety of reasons including mobility issues, mental disorders, dementia or infirmness due to old age. We will take the customer to wherever they need to travel to. Medical appointments to doctors, dentists and hospitals including all London hospitals. Social inclusion, day centres, lunch clubs, hairdressers, visiting loved ones that are away from home and shopping.

Compaid

Compaid provide an 'Out and about' transport service for people who don't have their own car or who struggle to use public transport and live in Tonbridge and Malling or Tunbridge Wells. Passengers can travel within their district for a set fee.

IMAGO Dial-2-Drive

Dial 2 Drive (D2D) is a community transport scheme for people unable to access public transport due to older age, illness or disability living in Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas.

Volunteer drivers use their own cars to take clients to medical and social appointments. This includes appointments at local surgeries, hospitals, day centres, hairdressers, opticians, lunch clubs and shopping.

Involve Kent

I nvolve's community transport service is a community-based driving scheme for people living in the Maidstone and Malling area that helps people who cannot manage on public transport because of age, frailty, illness, disability or injury.

Involve can provide trips to places like hospitals, foot clinics, day centres, shops, visits to friends or anywhere else you'd like to go. Drivers are volunteers and use their own cars. They provide assistance with shopping trips and outings, such as seaside trips and Christmas markets, and have a minibus which is available for hire to other community groups.

Community Car Service

The Community Car Service provides safe transport for people who cannot use public transport. This can be for a variety of reasons including mobility issues, mental disorders, dementia or infirmness due to old age. The Community Care Service will take passengers to wherever they need to travel to, such as:

medical appointments including visits to the doctors, dentists or hospital (including all London hospitals)

social activities including day centres, lunch clubs, hairdressers, visiting loved ones that are away from home

shopping.

Compaid

Compaid provide an 'Out and about' transport service for people who don't have their own car or who struggle to use public transport and live in Tonbridge and Malling or Tunbridge Wells. Passengers can travel within their district for a set fee.

IMAGO Dial-2-Drive

Dial 2 Drive (D2D) is a community transport scheme for people unable to access public transport due to older age, illness or disability living in Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas.

Volunteer drivers use their own cars to take clients to medical and social appointments. This includes appointments at local surgeries, hospitals, day centres, hairdressers, opticians, lunch clubs and shopping.

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community transport; community transport; kent karrier; community transport database

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Community transport - Kent County Council

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Find available community transport in your area.

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Non-emergency patient transport to our sites is provided by G4S.

The non-emergency patient transport service is for people whose health means they cannot get to or from their NHS appointment in any other way.

You can find out if you're eligible for patient transport by calling the freephone G4S bookings line on 0800 096 0211, 24 hours a day.

You can find out more about the service, including the standard of care you can expect on the G4S website.

Patients (or carers, such as a family member) will be taken through a simple, confidential assessment process to check eligibility.

G4S staff have details of alternative services for patients who are not eligible, including volunteer driver schemes.

The eligibility criteria are set nationally and have not changed. However, a considerable amount of work has been done in Kent and Medway to ensure that the criteria are applied in a completely fair and consistent way.

Complaints or compliments about the new service should be directed to 0800 096 0211, km.pts1@nhs.net,or, by post, Kent and Medway PTS Contract, Swift House, 18 Hoffmanns Way, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1GU.

How to book patient transport

1. When you know the date and time of your appointment, call 0800 096 0211

2. Friendly G4S staff will take you through a set of clear, confidential questions to
determine if you are eligible, and ensure your medical needs are met

3. Your booking will be confirmed and you will receive a follow-up call at least 24 hours before your appointment. This call will clarify your appointment time, give you a pick-up time and check your medical needs.

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Non-emergency patient transport to our sites is provided by G4S. The non-emergency patient transport service is for people whose health means they cannot get to or from their NHS appointment in any other way. You can find out if you're eligible for patient transport by calling the freephone G4S bookings line on 0800 096 0211, 24 hours a day.

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Check if you qualify for a social tariff for your broadband.

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If you are experiencing financial difficulty and paying your energy bill is a concern, there is help available.

Your energy supplier has a legal duty to offer financial assistance, and there are various sources of advice, and funding providers, to reach out to.

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Energy financial support - Kent County Council

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If you are experiencing financial difficulty and paying your energy bill is a concern, there is help available.

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Lots of tips for how to save money on different household bills.

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The Energy Saving Trust recommends setting your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature, typically between 18°C to 21°C, although you may find you can comfortably keep it lower.

Turn down your thermostat by one or two degrees and put on an extra layer of clothing, which can save between £5 and £10 per month on your energy bill.

However, if you are elderly or suffer from respiratory problems, make sure that you don't drop below 18°C.

Even if it's just replacing 1 to 2 baths a week with showers, every small change contributes to something bigger.

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The Energy Saving Trust recommends setting your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature, typically between 18°C to 21°C, although you may find you can comfortably keep it lower. Turn down your thermostat by one or two degrees and put on an extra layer of clothing, which can save between £5 and £10 per month on your energy bill.

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We are Kent’s largest charity for homeless and vulnerable people. We’re here for people who have nowhere to go and no-one to turn to. Some are living on the streets, others need support because they are at risk of losing their home.

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We are Kent's largest charity for homeless and vulnerable people. We're here for people who have nowhere to go and no-one to turn to. Some are living on the streets, others need support because they are at risk of losing their home.

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Shelter is a charity which has several phone lines which can help with advice about housing.

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© 2022 Shelter, the National Campaign for Homeless People Limited Charity number: 263710 (England and Wales), SC002327 (Scotland). Company number: 01‌038133 88 Old Street, London, EC1V 9HU Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

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© 2022 Shelter, the National Campaign for Homeless People Limited Charity number: 263710 (England and Wales), SC002327 (Scotland). Company number: 01‌038133 88 Old Street, London, EC1V 9HU Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

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This website will give you the same answers to questions about your situation as you would get from the Council over the phone or face-to-face.

It will give you an early indication of whether you are likely to be helped by your local council, and in what way. The sooner you know the likely outcome, the sooner you can prepare to take your next steps.

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Are you at risk of becoming homeless in Kent?

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If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, then our assessment tool can provide you with useful information and guidance from your local authority in Kent.

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Kent Home Choice is the partnership of Local Authorities and Housing Associations that provide social and affordable housing in Kent.

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This can be printed out and given to women and families. You may wish to use the digital maps found on the Padlet to help families access the services closest to them.

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This organisation offers both single and family membership which allows you to choose food from their selections on a weekly basis. This could save you around £40 per month on your shopping.

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Kent Community Pantry is part of the Children and Families charity group.
Our new and innovative service aims is to make healthy and nutritious food affordable!

Our service will provide you with either 10 or 20 products, depending on the membership type you choose. Alongside this offer, we also aim to provide you with a wide selection of fresh fruit, veg, bakery products, dairy, meat, hygiene and non-food products subject to availability.
This is an amazing service and membership starts from as little as £15.50 a month!

To find out more information on where your nearest pantry is, or explore joining our membership scheme or to find out about volunteering roles, please click on the links below.

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Kent Community Pantry is part of the Children and Families charity group.Our new and innovative service aims is to make healthy and nutritious food affordable! Our service will provide you with either 10 or 20 products, depending on the membership type you choose.

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For those who find themselves without food on a short term basis and unable to access larger organisations who offer support. Also working with schools to offer food to families through the school holidays.

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With the Too Good To Go app, you can eat well while making an impact. Save Surprise Bags of good food at an even better price from restaurants and shops near you.

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The app that lets customers rescue unsold food from shops and restaurants to save it from going to waste. Try it today.

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Use the interactive map to find a community pantry near you.

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View details of all the Pantry in our network across the UK.

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Find a community fridge near you using the interactive map at the bottom of the page

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Community fridges are places for everyone to save and share surplus food for free. We now have over 300 across the UK! Find your nearest fridge, set up your own or learn more.

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put in your postcode and get a list of the foodbanks near you who can help.

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A food bank is a charity that provides food to people who have difficulty buying enough. All food banks operate in slightly different ways. For instance some will provide a home delivery service for people living in rural areas and those who are unable to get to a food bank. Contact your local food bank to find out how to use it.

As well as the food banks included in our postcode search, you may also find additional food banks in your local community.

Enter your postcode and select your nearest foodbank to find out when it's open.

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food bank; foodbank; kent food banks; find a kent food bank; my nearest foodbank; search for food banks; foodbanks; need food; find food

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A food bank is a charity that provides food to people who have difficulty buying enough. All food banks operate in slightly different ways. For instance some will provide a home delivery service for people living in rural areas and those who are unable to get to a food bank.

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A cookbook for cooking healthy, nutritious food on a budget.

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The family food bank has distribution centres across Kent and Medway. To find a centre near you scroll to the map near the bottom of the page.

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Did you know, for about £8.50 you can make a massive difference to a family's life. We accept all ambient food donations and monetary donations however big or small.

Your donations enable us to produce a Family Food Box providing a family of four, two meals a day for five days!

A Sudden drop in finances can happen to anyone for a number of reasons: redundancy, eviction, bereavement, a change in family circumstances, interrupted benefit payment.

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Did you know, for about £8.50 you can make a massive difference to a family's life. We accept all ambient food donations and monetary donations however big or small. Your donations enable us to produce a Family Food Box providing a family of four, two meals a day for five days!

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The Trussell Trust runs the largest network of food banks in the UK, giving emergency food and support to people in crisis. Fourteen million people live below the poverty line and in the last year close to 3 million emergency food parcels were distributed to people in crisis.

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Mental Wellbeing hub for the whole family.

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NHS Kent and Medway Gail House, 2nd floor Lower Stone Street Maidstone,ME15 6NB kmicb.kentandmedway@nhs.net 01634 335095

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Help for when you are experiencing a financial crisis.

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About our service

Our Kent Support and Assistance Service (KSAS) may be able to help you if you have experienced an unforeseen, short-term crisis or if you are facing exceptional pressures because of an emergency.

We are unable to offer support to help with Christmas expenses, or due to financial hardship experienced because of the rise in the cost of living. UK Government are providing financial support to help households manage these costs and you may be eligible to get payments to help if you're receiving certain benefits or tax credits.

We offer our help for a short time only if you have no other means of support, and if all other avenues of support have been exhausted.

We can potentially help a maximum of 3 times in a rolling 12 month period, and only if the eligibility criteria are met. We will not help for the same reason more than once.

Our service is a discretionary service that offers support where it can. However, there are circumstances where we won't provide assistance. Examples of these circumstances include:

the replacement of broken items

continued or long term support where we have already provided assistance

financial difficulties faced as a result of paying regular bills or debts

if you have a sanction on your DWP benefit

where our baseline criteria are not met (see 'who is eligible' below).

Please read the 'other places to get help' information below for further guidance on the support that is available across Kent.

Before you apply we'll expect you to have claimed any national benefits, grants and loans which are appropriate to your situation.

Your local district council may also be able to help you if you need help paying rent or rent in advance through a Discretionary Housing Payment.

You must have spoken to a benefits or Job Centre Plus advisor about the following before applying to us for help:

If you have had your benefits stopped as a result of a Department for Work and Pensions sanction we will not be able to help you unless exceptional circumstances apply.

If you are not eligible to receive benefits in the UK, we will not be able to help you.

To make an application, you must:

be aged 16 or over

live in Kent (if you pay your Council Tax to Medway Council you will need to contact their local welfare provision scheme)

live on a low working income, or receive a means-tested benefit if not in employment

have no access to savings or support from other sources.

Providing evidence

We will ask for evidence of your benefits and savings, and we may also ask for things like:

proof of any reasons you give for needing help (such as unusual expenses) through receipts or screenshots of your online or mobile banking, showing the transactions

proof of your earnings if you are working

anything else relevant to the circumstances detailed on your application form.

Apply

To ask for our help:

To complete the application you will need:

your National Insurance number

details of anyone who lives in your house, including their National Insurance number(s)

details of your income and that of your partner or other adults living with you (this includes benefits payments and any income from employment).

Once you have applied for help from us, we will contact you with information on agencies that may be able to help you in your situation long-term and enable you to manage your financial crisis. We will then tell you if we are able to provide the items you need, and explain how we will get the goods to you.

If we can't help you, we will explain why and tell you about your right to ask for a review of your situation. We will also let you know where you can go to get more advice or information.

Appeal a decision

If we have declined your application within the last 7 days and you feel the decision should be reviewed, you can appeal in the following ways:

If you have an account
Log in and appeal against a declined application
If you don't have an account
Appeal against a declined application using our online form

We don't offer money. We can provide essential home items such as:

groceries (for up to 7 days)

baby food, milk and nappies

furniture (beds and seating)

crockery

bedding/curtains/carpets

essential electrical appliances (fridge, cooking appliance, washing machine)

clothing

and help with:

utilities (prepayment gas and electric, for up to 7 days)

emergency travel arrangements via public transport (for example to flee a crisis)

Most of the home items we provide will be secondhand.

These are just some of the situations under which we may offer you help. They are just examples and should not be used to decide whether or not you are eligible for our help. If you aren't sure, please contact us.

Your ESA has been suspended and you have already made an appeal.

You have had an essential but unexpected payment to make (this does not include regular bills or direct debits, and we will need to see evidence of your unexpected payment).

You are waiting for a new benefit claim to come through.

Your money has been stolen or you have lost it.

You have spent your money on hospital travel.

You are fleeing domestic abuse.

You have left care.

You have left prison and used your discharge money for travel.

You are a victim of fire or flooding.

If we cannot offer help or you need more help, our cost of living support pages can help you to find your way through the advice and support available.

You can:

check if you are eligible for any benefits

get advice about how to reduce energy use and who to contact for help paying bills

use our help and support finder to find help available with food, Council Tax, clothing, childcare and much more

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ksas; kent support and assistance service; emergency; crisis; baby food; milk; bedding; furniture; house fire; house flooded; household; essentials; social fund; kent support & assistance service

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Practical household essentials for you during an emergency or crisis. Service also known as Kent Support and Assistance Service (KSAS).

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You could qualify for help with your water bills.

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If you live in England or Wales, are on certain benefits, have a water meter and use a lot of water because you either have a medical condition or three or more children aged under 19 for whom you claim Child Benefit, you may be able to get help from the Water Sure scheme.

People who meet the criteria for help under these initiatives can have their water bill capped at the amount of the average household water bill for their water company (in some cases less). For some customers, being accepted for the Water Sure scheme can more than halve the amount that they have to pay.

Who is eligible for Water Sure?

To qualify for help, you have to live in England or Wales and be getting at least one of the following benefits:

(except families getting the family element only)

In addition, you have to be:

entitled to receive Child Benefit for three or more children under the age of nineteen who live with you, or
diagnosed as having, or have someone living with you who has one of the following medical conditions:

Desquamation (flaky skin disease)

Incontinence

Abdominal stoma

Eczema, psoriasis or varicose ulceration (weeping skin disease)

Crohn's disease

Ulcerative colitis

Renal failure requiring dialysis at home (unless the health authority contributes to the cost of water consumed in the dialysis process)

Any other medical condition that requires the use of significant additional water and can be supported with a doctor's certificate.

You do not qualify for the scheme if you:

Water your garden with a non-hand-held appliance, such as a sprinkler or domestic irrigation system

Have an auto-fill swimming pool or pond with a capacity of over 10,000 litres.

How do I apply?

You need to contact your local water company for further information and details of the application process.

If you don't know the details of your local water company, the Consumer Council for Water, which represents the interests of water consumers across England and Wales, has a list of water companies on its website.

Once accepted for either scheme, you qualify until your circumstances change and you no longer require help. However, you will have to reapply or confirm that you remain eligible every 12 months. Your water company should remind you to do this.

It is worth contacting your local water company, even if you think you might not be eligible for the WaterSure Scheme or Welsh Water Assist, as they may be able to offer you a more flexible payment option or other help.

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If you are struggling to pay water bills, find out about the various schemes and grants that may be available to help towards the cost of water.

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Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS)If you're referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist 

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If you’re referred to hospital or other NHS premises for specialist NHS treatment or diagnostic tests by a doctor, dentist or another primary care health professional, you may be able to claim a refund of reasonable travel costs under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS).

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Kent and Medway - Bump, Birth and Beyond

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It's very common to feel mixed emotions after giving birth. Your hormone levels are changing rapidly, and it can be a major adjustment from being pregnant to looking after your new baby.

Even if your birth was uncomplicated, you may be finding adjusting to becoming a parent to your newborn a struggle at times. If things were difficult in labour and you or your baby needed emergency assistance or there was birth trauma, you may need extra support to cope with what has happened. If you have any worries, then speak to your midwife who will be able to refer you for support.

Bonding with your baby

Some women have no problems with bonding with their baby during pregnancy or directly after birth. But for some women, they find it takes a while for the bond with their baby to develop, which is normal too. The more tasks you do to care for your baby, the more of a bond you will probably feel. Skin to skin (where both you and your baby snuggle with bare skin under a blanket) can be a lovely way of bonding. Babies are demanding, messy and exhausting and it can feel overwhelming at first, especially with your first baby. Don't be afraid to ask for help from others. Sometimes someone offering to bring you a cooked meal can be a wonderful opportunity for you to spend extra bonding time with your new baby.

Taking time for you

Some women crave some time for themselves when they've had a new baby and others prefer to spend all their time with their baby. Whatever works for you is okay, but it is important to have at least a little time to yourself - time to get washed and dressed or whatever you feel like doing right then, can give you the breathing space you need to be the best version of you. It's far easier to care for your baby if you've had some time to look after you.

Sudden emotional changes

Within the first week of your baby's birth, it's very common for hormonal changes to make you feel very tearful. These are called the baby blues. Find out more about the baby blues on this page

Babies Cry, You Can Cope

ICON is a programme that provides information on infant crying and how to cope

If you need support, speak to someone you trust, such as your family, friends, Midwife, GP or Health Visitor

All women and families will experience some emotional ups and dows following a new addition to the family. Read about the Baby Blues, a normal and common dip in mood following the birth of a baby.

The important thing is to be able to talk to those around you about how you are feeling. If your mood is low and does not seem to be improving a couple of weeks after the birth, or if you are struggling with your thoughts and feelings, this is common and help is there for your recovery.

It can be helpful to remember that 1 in 5 women will experience some mental health issues during pregnancy or after birth and that the sooner you get support, the better for your recovery. Find out more on our mental health issues and support page.

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Emotional wellbeing after birth :: Kent and Medway - Bump, Birth and Beyond

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It's very common to feel mixed emotions after giving birth. Your hormone levels are changing rapidly, and it can be a major adjustment from being pregnant to looking after your new baby. Even if your birth was uncomplicated, you may be finding adjusting to becoming a parent to your newborn a struggle at times.