Baby bonus for mothers-to-be
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Monday 6 April 2009
Mothers-to-be can now claim a tax-free cash bonus of £190.
The new Health in Pregnancy Grant (HiPG) is a one-off payment
intended
to help pregnant mothers stay fit and healthy in the run up to the
birth, and help meet some of the costs as the big day approaches.
Yvette Cooper, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said:
"Every month around 65,000 women in the UK celebrate the birth of a new
child. And with the introduction of the baby grant mums-to-be can now
get extra help at such an important time in their family life.
"Every mum knows that the run up to birth can be an expensive
and sometimes stressful time.
"The grant will help mums-to-be support their good health
during the
pregnancy, as well as help give their child the best possible start in
life. It's the mums' choice what they do with the cash as everyone's
circumstances are different."
Janet Fyle, Professional Policy Advisor at the Royal College
of Midwives, said:
"This is a commendable initiative from the Government, and one
that
demonstrates that we value and want to support mothers-to-be. Midwives
have a crucial role to play in assisting and enabling all women to
access the grant. They are often a woman's first, and in some cases,
only contact with the health service.
"Midwives will be there to give objective advice and
information to
women about the grant, because they know an investment in women is an
investment towards a healthier woman and a healthier baby."
The money can be claimed from the 25th week of pregnancy,
after
receiving health advice from a midwife or other health professional.
Expectant mums will be given a claim form to sign and send off, which
they must do within 31 days. When the claim is approved, the money is
paid directly into a bank or building society account.
Pregnant women can get more information at http://www.direct.gov.uk/money4mum2be
or by downloading a free podcast at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/podcasts
Notes
1. Yvette Cooper, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, visited
University
College Hospital, London, today (06.04.09) to meet midwifes and
mothers-to-be.
2. The Health in
Pregnancy Grant is available to expectant mothers ordinarily resident
in the UK and is subject to immigration status.
3. The grant is a universal, one-off payment available to
expectant
mothers in the UK from the 25th week of pregnancy and will be payable
from April 2009. Payment of the grant does not depend on household
income.
4. The grant will not affect payments of other benefits and
tax credits and is payable for each pregnancy, not each baby.
Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
Website http://www.hmrc.gov.uk
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© Crown Copyright 2009.
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article and has been republished for educational / informational
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