3.6 - Prenatal and Postnatal Benefits

The Prenatal and Postnatal Benefits are intended to help expectant and new mothers in NB have healthier babies by offsetting the cost of food.

Parental and Postnatal Benefits are available to pregnant and new women living in New Brunswick. 

The Household Income Policy is not used in the determination of eligibility for this benefit.

Keep in mind that an application to the Prenatal and Postnatal Benefit Program may be an application for prenatal or postnatal benefits only. If the prenatal or postnatal benefit is for an existing Social assistance  client or someone looking for basic assistance in addition to prenatal or postnatal benefits, then the normal application process and necessary documentation would be followed as per existing policies and procedures.

The father may be part of the Pre/Postnatal Benefit Program application, not only to determine the income for benefit purposes, but to involve both parents in the process, to encourage the unit to be part of the process and to help maintain a sense of family. Involvement of the father will assist in keeping the unit together as the application also enables Social Development to make referrals to other departments and agencies. If the father is not known, involved or participating during the pregnancy or following the birth of a newborn, then an application would not be refused based on the father's non-participation. 

In order to be considered eligible for the Prenatal or Postnatal Benefit the expectant mother must,

• Be a resident of New Brunswick,
• Prenatal: Provide proof of pregnancy from a doctor
• Postnatal: Provide a Birth Certificate or proof of birth from a hospital.

Individuals living on a Federal Reserve are not eligible.

Students from outside the Province are eligible for the period of time they are residing in New Brunswick.

Students from New Brunswick are eligible when studying outside of the Province if they maintain ties to a New Brunswick residence.

Expectant or new mothers younger than 16 years of age must apply with parents.

A social assessment is not required to provide Prenatal or Postnatal Benefits to Youth.

Expectant or new mothers who are 16 to 18 years of age inclusively apply with parents if living at home unless the expectant father is also living in the household. In this case the expectant mother applies with the expectant father.

Expectant or new mothers older than 18 years of age and who are living with the expectant father, must apply with the expectant father.*

**If the expectant or new father is not known, is not living with the expectant or new mother or refuses to apply with the expectant or new mother, then the expectant or new mother may apply alone.

Pregnant teenagers,18 years of age and under, who are in the care of the Minister are not eligible for the Prenatal or Postnatal Benefit Program.  They should be referred to their Social Worker. Post Guardianship clients are eligible for the Prenatal and Postnatal Benefit Program.

The amount of the monthly benefitis dependent upon the monthly net income of the applicants. The income to be used in the determination of the benefit would be that of the parent(s)/guardian, of the expectant or new mother (if in the parental home), or the income of the expectant or new mother and expectant father, if he is part of the application and if the couple are living outside the parental home.

All income is considered with the exception of

• Assistance with Rental Costs subsidies
• Canada Child Benefit
• Foster Home Payments / Kinship Services
•  Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB)Subsidized Adoption Payments
• Post Guardianship benefits
   

This benefit amount is $60 per month and may be paid up to a maximum of 4 months. The monies are to be used for milk or food for the new mother and/or baby.

For multiple births the benefit amount can be paid to each child. Example a total of $120 per month may be paid to families with twins. 

Both clients and applicants may be entitled to this benefit type.
 

The benefit may be paid for up to a maximum of 6 months starting in the fourth month of pregnancy.

If the expectant mothers due date is in December the benefit would be issued starting in July. All benefits would be issued on the first business day of the month with the possible exception of July. If the expectant mother applies after July 1 then the benefit would be issued once eligibility is established. The monthly benefit would be issued in the full amount even if the application is made after July 1.

If the expectant mother applies in September with a due date in December then the benefit would be issued for 4 months. The September benefit would be issued once eligibility is established and the remainder of the benefits would be issued on the first business day of the remaining months.

An additional benefit may be issued if less than 6 benefits have been issued and the expectant mothers due date is extended into the next month.

Requested benefits will be readjusted if the net income of the case changes. Issued benefits will be deleted if the case was not eligible to receive the benefit. Issued benefits will not be readjusted to reflect a change in income.

Overpayments are not to be created for issued benefits if the expectant mother miscarries.

Benefits will be paid separately from any other social assistance benefit the expectant mother may be receiving.

The Postnatal benefit may be used towards food and milk for the mother and/or baby.

The benefit may be paid for up to a maximum of 4 months beginning when the newborn baby is discharged from the hospital up until the baby reaches 4 months of age.

If the baby is born premature and remains in hospital for a period of time, the benefit may be paid for 4 months beginning when the baby is discharged from the hospital.

This benefit amount is $60 per month and may be paid up to a maximum of 4 months.

For multiple births the benefit amount can be paid to each child. Example a total of $120 per month may be paid to families with twins.

Benefits will be paid separately from any other social assistance benefit the expectant mother may be receiving.

Expectant mothers receiving the Prenatal benefit are also eligible and should be encouraged to take part in courses dealing with healthy pregnancies.