Although you may already be familiar with, or have recently taken advice on: diet during pregnancy smoking alcohol medicine and drugs, or breastfeeding etc. Further advice can be obtained from the Occupational Health and Safety Advisory council’s Unit at West Lothian Civic Centre, Livingston 01506 281418 4 State Benefits The following is only an outline of some of the main state benefits, which may apply to you. You are therefore strongly recommended to contact your local DSS office (see list of useful contacts) to obtain more specific information. Statutory Maternity Pay The Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) Scheme is a two-tiered scheme with two rates of Statutory Maternity Pay known as the and the rate as follows: ‘lower’ rate ‘higher’ Higher rate = 9/10ths of average weekly earnings Lower rate = a set weekly rate reviewed each year in April See pages 9 for full details of the qualifying conditions and your entitlement to SMP. –12 Maternity Allowance If you are not entitled to SMP you may be entitled to National Insurance Maternity Allowance. To claim this you will need to submit form SMP1 which will be given to you by Payroll together with the maternity certificate from your doctor/midwife to your Social Security Office. The allowance is payable for the first 39 weeks after you commence maternity leave/finish work. Free Dental treatment Dental treatment is free during pregnancy, for a year after the birth, and for all children. Ask your dentist for details. Child benefit This is a weekly benefit paid for each child you are responsible for. You cannot claim before the child is born, as you need to send your birth certificate (it will be returned). You baby’s can obtain a claim form from your local post office or DSS Office. Benefits for low-income families If your income is low, you may be able to claim Income Support and Family Credit. If you claim either of those, you may also be able to get other benefits such as a Maternity Needs Payment, Housing Benefits and Council Tax Benefit. More information on state benefits to
Although you may already be familiar with, or have recently taken advice on: diet during pregnancy smoking alcohol medicine and drugs, or breastfeeding etc. Further advice can be obtained from the council’s Occupational Health and Safety Advisory Unit at West Lothian Civic Centre, Livingston 01506 281418 4 State Benefits The following is only an outline of some of the main state benefits, which may apply to you. You are therefore strongly recommended to contact your local DSS office (see list of useful contacts) to obtain more specific information. Statutory Maternity Pay The Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) Scheme is a two-tiered scheme with two rates of Statutory Maternity Pay known as the ‘lower’ rate and the ‘higher’ rate as follows: Higher rate = 9/10ths of average weekly earnings Lower rate = a set weekly rate reviewed each year in April See pages 9 –12 for full details of the qualifying conditions and your entitlement to SMP. Maternity Allowance If you are not entitled to SMP you may be entitled to National Insurance Maternity Allowance. To claim this you will need to submit form SMP1 which will be given to you by Payroll together with the maternity certificate from your doctor/midwife to your Social Security Office. The allowance is payable for the first 39 weeks after you commence maternity leave/finish work. Free Dental treatment Dental treatment is free during pregnancy, for a year after the birth, and for all children. Ask your dentist for details. Child benefit This is a weekly benefit paid for each child you are responsible for. You cannot claim before the child is born, as you need to send your baby’s birth certificate (it will be returned). You can obtain a claim form from your local post office or DSS Office. Benefits for low-income families If your income is low, you may be able to claim Income Support and Family Credit. If you claim either of those, you may also be able to get other benefits such as a Maternity Needs Payment, Housing Benefits and Council Tax Benefit. More information on state benefits to