Claim child benefit (see Chapter 39 ).

If you get universal credit, let the DWP know about the birth as soon as you can. Your entitlement may increase from the start of the monthly assessment period in which your baby was born if you notify the DWP within that period.

If you still get housing benefit, contact your local authority housing benefit section within a month of the birth to ensure full backdating.

Your baby automatically qualifies for free prescriptions.

You have six weeks (21 days in Scotland) to register your baby’s birth. You can do this at the local register office for the area where your baby was born. You may also be able to do it at the hospital where you gave birth; the hospital should tell you if you can do this.

See Chapter 27(2) for details of the Sure Start maternity grant (or Chapter 27(3) for details of the pregnancy and baby payment in Scotland).