Financial Wellbeing

Babies, Budgeting and Benefits

Help make a difference to your family’s income, outgoings and debt management.

What we can do for you?

Advice on benefits and financial support
Help to access services and secure financial entitlements
Debt management
Advice on household bills
Advice on energy suppliers
Employability and training advice

Speak to your midwife now or contact the relevant agencies provided:-

Dundee Welfare Rights - welfare.rights@dundeecity.gov.uk

Angus Welfare Rights - welfarerights@angus.co.uk

Perth and Kinross Welfare Rights - familieswelfarerights@pkc.gov.uk

Citizens Advice Referrals Fife - mtt@carfonline.org.uk

Why refer?

To give all our children the best possible start in life and reduce the stigma of 'money worries'. Access free confidential advice. Help us, Help you.

Who can help?

Your midwife and health visitor will ask you about money matters. They ask all pregnant mums and families about this and will be able to help you access a money and welfare advice service in your area for free and confidential support regardless of your circumstances.
The welfare advice service will contact you via telephone call and will make the necessary applications on your behalf.

What are you entitled to?

Best Start Foods

Best Start Foods payment card can be used in some shops in exchange for milk, fruit and vegetables. You may be entitled to a Best Start payment card if you're pregnant and:

under 18
getting certain benefits and on a low income

More about Best Start Foods can be found by clicking here. You can also fill in the form online and print it off for your midwife to sign.

Free NHS dental care

You can get free NHS dental care during your pregnancy, and for one year after your baby's born. More about help with health costs can be found by clicking here.

Free vitamins

All pregnant mums in Scotland should receive free vitamins. These are specifically designed for pregnant and breastfeeding women. You don't need to apply. Ask your midwife for your free vitamins. More about free vitamins

Baby Box

Every baby born in Scotland gets a free Baby Box. This gives them a place to sleep and some essential things for their first few months. When you’re between 20 and 24 weeks pregnant, your midwife will tell you how you can register to get your box. More about the Baby Box

Benefits and financial support for you and your baby

You can start claiming some benefits while you're pregnant and after your baby's born. This includes:

Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment
Child Benefit
Universal Credit
Child Tax Credits
Tax-Free Childcare

Housing

When you become a parent it’s important to have a home which you know is safe and where you can feel settled. If housing benefit or universal credit doesn’t cover your rent in full, you may be able to get a discretionary housing payment (DHP) to help meet your housing costs. More about housing rights and benefits for new parents.

Women who are seeking asylum

If you’re seeking asylum in Scotland:

you have the right to NHS healthcare while you're here
you may be entitled to support from the Home Office

There are strict time limits for applying, but you can get extra payments:

during pregnancy
around the time of the birth
after your baby's born

NHS Tayside Money Worries App

Nobody’s money worries are insurmountable - there is help available out there for everyone. Download this App and let it lead you towards the right help for you -

android QR code

ios QR code