Pregnant mothers must check maternity grant entitlement urges charity

Pregnant mothers are being urged to check their entitlement for maternity grants amidst research showing 53 per cent of mothers build up debt whilst on maternity leave.

Turn2us conducted a study through the Bounty Parenting Club, with results finding that new mothers are suffering severe financial hardship.

Nearly a quarter of women end up using credit cards, a further 23 per cent rely on overdrafts, with 27 per cent using up all of their savings.

The financial impact left 14 per cent deciding they cannot afford any more children, whilst 21 per cent had to return to work sooner than expected.

Turn2us is working with Home-Start and the Child Poverty Action Group to help families with young children to make sure they get help and support to access grants available to them.

Projects Manager of Turn2us, Emma Aldridge said: “We know that bringing up children is a costly expense for parents, especially during maternity leave when there is usually less income coming in. At a time when there are considerable changes planned for the welfare benefits system, it is more critical than ever that expectant mothers and families living on low-incomes check their benefit entitlement as soon as possible, in addition to their eligibility for grants.”

Turn2us forms part of the Elizabeth Finn Care charity, which helps people in financial need access the money available to them. For more information, visit: www.turn2us.org.uk.