you won't be able to claim until the baby is born as you can't fill in the date of birth. there's nothing to stop you getting form before the birth and filling it in asap after. old system was sorted in a couple of weeks don't know about the new one. i posted a claim off for my son the other day for the child benefit, and asked for a tax fcredit form to be sent it hasn't come yet though so i can't advise further at the moment. i'll keep you posted if you like so you have a 'real-time' account of things..