The government has launched a new Health in Pregnancy grant which is available for anyone with a due date of 6 April 2009 onwards. The grant is not means-tested and is a one off payment of £190. You need to be at least 25 weeks pregnant at the time of application and you must have received health advice from a midwife or doctor.

To get it you need to ask your midwife or doctor for the Health in Pregnancy Grant form, or phone the HipG Helpline on 0292 050 1178.

The mum-to-be must be the one who fills the form in and then it must be signed by your midwife. The application needs to have been received within 31 days of them signing the form so don’t ask them to sign it until you’re ready to send it.

If you are on a low income you maybe also entitled to a Sure Start Maternity grant which is a one off payment of £500. Please check the link below for more information.

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_013950.xml.html

Also remember to apply for tax credits and child benefit when the baby arrives.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/index.htm

As a Client Support Worker at ScotsCare I visit lots of people at home. This is simple and straightforward the majority of the time, but not always. I don’t like being late so I always prepare in advance. My bag is regularly bulging with maps, directions and random paperwork from Transport for London.  These items should aid me in arriving at my client’s home on time and as unruffled as a 45 minute tube journey should allow. But unfortunately my reliance on various forms of travel information does occasionally let me down.

My most spectacular travel mistake happened in Croydon. I happily tapped the postcode into the computer the day before and it wasn’t recognised. No bother the address should be fine, I thought so I popped in the address instead and it showed a map and simple travel directions. So off I set that very hot summer day, firstly on the tube, then on an overground train and finally on foot. That is where the problem started…

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