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Sure Start Maternity Grant

[box type=”info”]Changes in the rules for Sure Start Maternity Grant

The rules for Sure Start Maternity Grant have changed for babies that are:

  • due on or after 11 April 2011
  • born on or after 11 April 2011
  • adopted or in similar arrangements on or after 11 April 2011

The rules for your new baby and any other babies born at the same time –  You can only get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if there are no other children under 16 years in your family.[/box]

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one off payment of £500 to help with the costs of a new baby. It comes from the Social Fund and you don’t have to pay it back.

You can get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if you receive any of the following:

  • Income Support
  • Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element
  • Working Tax Credit where a disability or severe disability element is included in the award

And if the following applies to you:

  • You are pregnant and expecting a baby within 11 weeks or have given birth within the last three months.

There are also other situations like adoption, residence order and surrogates taken into account. See Direct Gov for more details.

There is a time limit as to when you apply for the grant, from 29th week of your pregnancy until your child is 3 months old.

[box type=”info”] When claiming benefits it’s a good idea to: Take copies of completed claim forms and letters before you send them off. Keep a record of the date, time and the person you spoke to if you contact them in person or by phone. If you think they have made a mistake in working out your claim its worth getting advice from CAB. Don’t assume just because they are a government agency doesn’t mean they always get it right or that you can’t appeal the decision. [/box]