What is a Sure Start Maternity Grant?

If you’re on a low income and getting certain benefits or tax credits, you could get a Sure Start Maternity Grant. This is a one-off £500 payment to help towards the cost of maternity and baby items. The grant is tax free and you don’t have to repay it.

You can only get the Sure Start Maternity Grant for your first child born or adopted (or similar arrangement) on or after April 2011. You can also get a Sure Start Maternity Grant for your dependant's new baby if your dependant is under 20 years old and has no other children.

Can I get a Sure Start Maternity Grant?

You can get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if you or your partner, receive any of the following on the date you claim:

• 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
• Universal Credit

and if one of the following applies to you on the date you claim:

• you or your partner are pregnant and expecting a baby within 11 weeks or have given birth within the last six months
• a dependent child you receive benefit for is expecting a baby within 11 weeks or has given birth within the last six months
• you are not the mother and have become the responsible lone parent of a baby no more than one year old
• you or your partner have been granted an adoption or a residence order for a baby no more than one year old
• you and your partner have been granted a parental order for a surrogate birth and the baby is no more than one year old
• you or your partner have been appointed the guardian of a baby no more than one year old
• you or your partner have had a baby placed with you for adoption by an agency and the baby is no more one year old
• you or your partner have adopted a baby abroad and the baby is no more than one year old

The term partner is used here to mean:

• a person you are married to or a person you live with as if you are married to them
• a civil partner or a person you live with as if you are civil partners.

When can I claim a Sure Start Maternity Grant?

When to claim a Sure Start Maternity Grant depends on your circumstances. If:

• you, or a member of your family, is pregnant or has had a baby - you can claim from 11 weeks before the birth until the baby is six months old
• your dependant has become the responsible parent of a baby (but is not the mother), you must claim within six months of them becoming responsible
• you’ve become the responsible parent of a baby (but are not the mother), you must claim within six months of becoming responsible
• you’ve been granted an adoption, a residence or a parental order, you must claim within six months of the order being granted
• you’ve adopted a baby abroad, you must claim within six months of this taking effect or being recognised
• you’ve been appointed the guardian of a baby or had a baby placed with you for adoption by an agency, you must claim within six months of this happening.

If you’re waiting for a decision on a qualifying benefit or tax credit, do not delay in making your claim. This is because you must still claim within the six month time limit.

How do I claim a Sure Start Maternity Grant?

You can apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant by completing claim pack SF100 (Sure Start) or you can download a claim form from the JobCentre Plus website or the NIdirect website for Northern Ireland. You can also request a claim form from the JobCentrePlus

More information is available on help during pregnancy.