Pregnant women can claim a one-off payment of £500 to help them cover the costs of having a baby.
The payment, called the Sure Start Maternity Grant, can be used to put towards preparing the nursery, buying fresh fruit and veg to keep the mother healthy through pregnancy, stocking up on nappies, and getting a pushchair and car seat. What's even better is that you don't have to pay it back and it doesn't affect any other benefits or tax credits you may receive.
But there are certain rules as to who can receive a grant - with the Birmingham Mail putting together a list of how you can be eligible for the payment, and how you go about getting one.
READ MORE: EuroMillions winners who scooped £184m pictured for first time
Am I eligible for the Sure Start Maternity Grant?
You can usually qualify for the Sure Start Maternity Grant if you meet both of the following conditions:
- you’re expecting your first child, or you’re expecting a multiple birth (such as twins) and have children already
- you or your partner already get certain benefits - see full details on eligibility below
Can you claim for your second and third child?
You can get a grant if you already have children, as long as one of the following applies to you:
- You’re expecting a multiple birth (such as twins)
- The child you’re caring for is someone else’s, such as a family member who is having their first child and lives with you. That family member must be either under 16 years old or 16 to 19 years old and in ‘approved’ education or training
- You’ve been granted refugee status or humanitarian protection and you have a child or children from before you arrived in the UK
You may also be able to get a grant if you’re adopting or becoming a surrogate parent.
When can you claim a Sure Start Maternity Grant?
You must claim the grant within 11 weeks of the baby’s due date or within six months after the baby’s birth.
Does the maternity grant affect Universal Credit?
Even though you do not have to pay the grant back, it does not affect your other benefits or tax credits.
But if you receive Universal Credit, you will not get a decision on your claim until your next Universal Credit payment.
How is a Sure Start Maternity Grant paid?
The grant is paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account.
What benefits make me eligible for the Sure Start Maternity Grant?
As well as having no other children under 16, unless you're expecting twins, you or your partner must also receive one of these benefits:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- Universal Credit
You may also qualify if you’re getting a Support for Mortgage Interest loan.
How to claim a Sure Start Maternity Grant
You can print out and fill in a Sure Start Maternity Grant (SF100) claim form here You need to ask a health professional such as a doctor or midwife to fill in the statement on page 10 of the form. You can send your form without this statement if necessary to meet the deadline. If you do this, you’ll be contacted about arranging the statement at a later date.
The form must then be posted to ‘Freepost DWP SSMG’ - you do not need a postcode or a stamp. You’ll get a letter telling you if your claim was successful.
You can get help with your claim and find out more here or by calling the Sure Start Maternity Grant helpline on 0800 169 0140. There's also more information available at the Jobcentre Plus.
