If you have a late miscarriage

Sadly, you’re not entitled to maternity or paternity rights or benefits if you’ve had a late miscarriage (between 14 and 24 completed weeks of pregnancy).

This includes:

•  Statutory Maternity Pay

• Sure Start Maternity Grant, and 

• additional Healthy Start vouchers.

Your Maternity Exemption Certificate can be used until the expiry date for prescriptions in England. 

In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, prescriptions are free for everyone.

Entitlements to free dental check-ups and treatment vary by country.

You can use any Healthy Start vouchers you already have.

Find out more on the Healthy StartOpens in a new window website.

If you live in Scotland, find out more about the Best Start Grant, and income limits at mygov.scotOpens in a new window

If your local JobCentre Plus was going to organise a Sure Start Maternity Grant, you'll need to tell them that you’re no longer pregnant. 

Find out more, and find your nearest Jobcentre Plus at GOV.UKOpens in a new window

If you live in Northern Ireland, find your nearest Jobs & Benefits Office at nidirectOpens in a new window

Even though you won’t get benefits, it’s still important that you tell certain people what’s happened so they can sort out the paperwork.

The best way to do this is usually to call or, where possible, email.

If you can’t do this yourself, you might be able to get a relative or close friend to make some of the calls for you.

Talk to your employer about what they can offer you or check your employment contract to see how they can help you with your baby loss.

Your employer might:

• offer compassionate leave to bereaved parents as part of their basic contract of employment or employee benefits.

• take care of cancelling any maternity or paternity pay that you might have arranged

• offer baby loss services to help deal with your mental health and wellbeing. 

If you have a late miscarriage, you’re entitled to the same benefits as any other employee who’s off sick.

You will at least get Statutory Sick Pay – this is paid for up to 28 weeks, or more if your employment contract allows it.

You should take sick leave for as long as your GP signs you off sick – and not feel pressured to return to work until you feel ready. You may need a Fit Note previously called a Sick Note from your GP.

You might be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance if:

• your Statutory Sick Pay runs out you are unable to return to work,or
• you don’t earn enough to claim Statutory Sick Pay, or
• you can’t claim Statutory Sick Pay because you haven’t worked for your employer for long enough.

If you’re receiving Universal Credit, you must notify them of your miscarriage. If you feel your ability to work or look for work is affected while recovering, you must get a fit note from your GP or healthcare specialist.

When a baby is born dead within the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, they’re not formally certified or registered.

But many hospitals offer parents a Certificate of Birth.

This usually gives:

• your baby’s name
• the date of your loss, and
• other details.

If your hospital doesn’t provide certificates, you can download one from Sands – the stillbirth and neonatal death charity – and ask the hospital to sign it.

If you live in England and Scotland, you can ask the government for a baby loss certificate if you’ve lost a baby, no matter if it happened recently or a long time ago.

If your baby died before 24 weeks, there’s no legal requirement to have a formal funeral.

The hospital staff will explain to you what they offer, and they should also give you written information. They will give you time to consider what you would like to do.

Alternatively, you can make your own arrangements for a funeral and/or burial or cremation. You might wish to consult a funeral director or a minister of your own faith. 

The hospital chaplaincy team might also be a good source of information, advice and support, whether you have any religious beliefs. 

You have the right to bury your baby’s body or remains yourself. If you want to do this, you might need to make your wishes clear to the hospital staff or your GP as they might not be aware that this is legal. 

For more information, visit Miscarriage AssociationOpens in a new window or SandsOpens in a new window

It’s easy to be overwhelmed by some of the things you need to do and the decisions you need to make.

While family and friends can be a great comfort, it’s also sometimes good to get some clear, impartial guidance.

Sands, a stillbirth and neonatal death charity, offer practical and emotional support. This includes making funeral arrangements.

Our free printed guides give you clear, unbiased information. They're a good starting point and can help you make informed choices.

You can download them or order printed copies using our order forms.