Higher rate of Pregnancy and Baby Payment for domestic abuse survivors

Financial support is available to people forced to leave their home with their children because of domestic abuse. The help is in the form of a higher amount of Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment.
Pregnancy and Baby Payment is £754.65 for your first child. Your first child is your oldest child under 16 and can include a stepchild, or any child you’re responsible for through adoption, or kinship care.
Normally this changes to a payment of £377.35 for any subsequent child.
However, if you and your children have been forced to leave your home because of domestic abuse by your partner or ex-partner, you may get £754.65 for any child after your first.
You can get Pregnancy and Baby Payment any time after you have reached the end of the 24th week of pregnancy, up until your baby is six months old.
If your baby is born before 24 weeks, you can apply from this earlier date. If you've taken over looking after a child (for example, if you've adopted), you can apply up to the day before the child's first birthday.
You can get Pregnancy and Baby Payment for multiple children, as long as each child is the right age when you apply.
You can use the payment for anything you might need, including:
- pregnancy clothes
- a pram
- a cot
- baby clothes
- toys
You can still get the Pregnancy and Baby Payment part of Best Start Grant for a baby that was stillborn or died after they were born.
If you're paid when you're pregnant, and your baby is stillborn or dies later, you will not need to pay any money back. If you apply after a stillbirth or death, you can apply up to 6 months after the baby's birth date.
Call us free on 0800 182 2222 to find out more about Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment