When should I tell the Home Office that I am pregnant and what evidence of pregnancy does the Home Office require? Expand You should tell the Home Office that you are pregnant as soon as you have received confirmation of pregnancy. The Home Office requires original, written confirmation of pregnancy from a health official, e.g. a MATB1 form or a letter from a treating clinician, such as a Community Midwife or GP, which shows Expected Due Date (EDD) and details about the health professional. You can get a MATB1 certificate from your midwife or doctor providing your antenatal care, when you are 20 weeks pregnant. Before this date, ask the midwife or doctor to write a letter to confirm your pregnancy.
Am I entitled to claim additional asylum support payments for being pregnant? Expand Yes. Provided you are receiving asylum support, you can apply for extra money each week and a one-off maternity grant. You’ll get extra money to buy healthy food if you’re pregnant or a mother of a child aged 3 or under (up until they turn 4). The amount you get will depend on your situation. Your situation Extra payment per week Pregnant mother £5.25 Baby under 1 year old £9.50 Child aged 3 or under (up until they turn 4) £5.25 You can also apply for a £300 maternity grant to help buy things for your baby.
When can I receive the one-off maternity grant? Expand You can apply for a one-off £300 maternity grant if your baby is due in 11 weeks or less (i.e., you are at least 29 weeks pregnant), or if your baby is under 6 months old.
How can I apply for additional asylum support payment or maternity grant Expand Migrant Help can assist you to apply. You apply for the maternity grant in the same way whether you’re still an asylum seeker or you’ve been refused asylum, provided you are in receipt of asylum support.You can apply for the maternity grant at the same time you apply for additional weekly asylum support payments, but you need to apply for them separately. Before birth: You’ll need to provide written confirmation of your pregnancy from a health official e.g., MATB1 form or a letter from a treating clinician, such as a Community Midwife or GP, which shows Expected Due Date (EDD) and details about the health professional. You can get a MATB1 certificate from your midwife or doctor providing your antenatal care, when you are 20 weeks pregnant. Before this date, ask the midwife or doctor to write a letter to confirm your pregnancy.After birth: You’ll need to provide the baby’s birth certificate.Migrant Help can help you check and submit your application. If you're not yet eligible, they will explain when you will be and invite you to contact them again.
How do I receive my extra payments and grant once approved? Expand Your allowance will be transferred onto an ASPEN card each week. An ASPEN card is like a debit card. You’ll be able to use the card in most shops and to get cash from a cash machine unless you are on section 4 support, where you will not be allowed to withdraw cash.