You should inform Universal Credit about your pregnancy when you receive your Maternity Certificate, commonly known as the MAT B1 form.
Understanding the MAT B1 Form
The MAT B1 form is an important document provided by your midwife or doctor. It serves as official proof of your pregnancy and confirms your expected week of childbirth. Typically, you will be given this certificate around 20 weeks into your pregnancy.
This document is crucial for various purposes, including claiming Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) from your employer or applying for Maternity Allowance, and importantly, for updating your Universal Credit claim.
How to Report Your Pregnancy to Universal Credit
Once you have received your MAT B1 form, you should report this change of circumstances to Universal Credit. The primary method for doing this is through your online Universal Credit journal.
Here's a general guide on how to report:
- Access your Universal Credit account: Log in to your online Universal Credit account.
- Navigate to your journal: Find the 'Journal' section within your account.
- Add a new message: Create a new journal entry to report your pregnancy.
- State your pregnancy: Clearly state that you are pregnant and have received your MAT B1 form.
- Provide details: You may be asked to provide details from your MAT B1 form, such as your expected week of childbirth. You might also be able to upload a photo or scan of the form if prompted, or be asked to bring it to an appointment.
- Confirm the change: Submit the message.
Reporting your pregnancy allows Universal Credit to accurately assess your circumstances and ensure you receive any additional support you may be eligible for, such as the child element, once your baby is born. For more information on changes to your circumstances and how they affect your Universal Credit, you can refer to official government guidance on Universal Credit and new babies.
