Maternity and paternity leave and benefits
The maternity and paternity leave and financial benefits you are entitled to will vary depending on how many weeks pregnant you were when your baby died.
If your baby died before 24 completed weeks of pregnancy
You are not entitled to maternity or paternity benefits. This includes Statutory Maternity and Paternity Pay, the Sure Start Maternity Grant and Healthy Start vouchers.
If you have received your Maternity Exemption Certificate for free prescriptions, you can continue to use this until the expiry date.
If your baby died after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy
You are entitled to full maternity and paternity leave and any associated benefits.
Neonatal death
If your baby was born alive at any stage of your pregnancy and then died within four weeks of their birth, you are entitled to full maternity and paternity leave and any associated benefits.
If you qualify, you can also claim Child Benefit and Tax Credits for the eight weeks following your baby’s death.
Useful links
Further information can be found at the following websites: