Having a baby is expensive, and if you are on a low income the costs can be daunting. The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment of £500 to help with the cost of a new baby, and unlike a loan it never has to be paid back. Many families who could get it do not claim it. This guide explains who can get the Sure Start Maternity Grant, and how to claim.
What the grant is
The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child, such as a cot, pram, clothes and other essentials. It is tax-free, does not have to be repaid, and does not affect your other benefits. For a family on a low income, it can make a real difference at a time when the costs of a new baby are mounting up, so it is well worth claiming if you qualify.
Who can claim
To get the grant, you usually need to be expecting your first child, or to already have children and be expecting a multiple birth such as twins. You also need to be receiving a qualifying benefit, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance. The grant is available in England and Wales, with different schemes in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The first child rule
The general rule is that the grant is only for your first child, unless you are having a multiple birth. So if you already have a child, you cannot usually get the grant for a new single baby. There are some exceptions, for example if a child who lives with you is not your own, so if your situation is unusual, it is worth checking whether you might still qualify rather than assuming you cannot.
When to claim
Timing matters. You can claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant from 11 weeks before your baby is due, up until your baby is six months old. It is important not to miss this window, as a late claim will be refused. Many people aim to claim in the weeks before the birth or soon after, once they have what they need to complete the form, including confirmation from a health professional.
How to claim
You claim using a form, called the Sure Start Maternity Grant claim form, which includes a section that must be signed by a health professional such as a midwife or doctor to confirm your pregnancy or the birth. You then send the completed form to the address on it. Your midwife or health visitor can usually help you with the form, and Citizens Advice can also assist if you are unsure.
If you live in Scotland
In Scotland, there is no Sure Start Maternity Grant. Instead, families can claim the Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment from Social Security Scotland, which is more generous and, unlike the Sure Start grant, is not limited to the first child. If you live in Scotland, you should look at the Best Start Grant rather than the Sure Start Maternity Grant, as it could be worth significantly more to your family.
Other help with the cost of a baby
The Sure Start Maternity Grant is not the only help available. You may also be able to get Healthy Start payments towards milk, food and vitamins, claim Child Benefit, and get help with childcare costs as your child grows. If you are pregnant or have just had a baby on a low income, it is well worth getting a full benefits check, as there may be several forms of support you can claim together.
It does not affect your other benefits
One reassuring feature of the Sure Start Maternity Grant is that it is a grant, not a loan, and it does not count as income or capital for your other benefits. This means claiming it will not reduce your Universal Credit or other support, and you do not have to pay it back. There is genuinely no downside to claiming if you qualify, which is another reason it is such a shame that so many eligible families miss out.
Get help to claim in time
Because there is a strict time limit, from 11 weeks before the due date to six months after the birth, it is worth getting the form ready in good time and asking your midwife or health visitor to complete their part. They are used to doing this and can make sure it is done correctly. If you are worried about meeting the deadline, get advice early, as a late claim cannot usually be accepted however good the reason.
Part of a wider package
The grant is best thought of as one part of a wider package of help for new parents on a low income. Alongside it, make sure you are claiming Child Benefit, look into Healthy Start for milk and food, and check your Universal Credit includes the right elements for your child. A benefits check around the time of a birth is one of the most worthwhile things a new parent can do.
Northern Ireland and elsewhere
The Sure Start Maternity Grant applies in England and Wales, while Scotland has the more generous Best Start Grant. In Northern Ireland there is a similar Sure Start Maternity Grant with its own arrangements. Wherever you live, it is worth checking the specific scheme for your area, as the amount, the rules and how you claim can differ, and you want to make sure you claim the right help for where you are.
Do not assume you will not qualify
Many parents assume they will not qualify, or do not know the grant exists, and so never claim. Because it is worth £500 and never has to be repaid, it is well worth checking, especially if you are expecting your first child and on a low income or a qualifying benefit. A quick benefits check, or a word with your midwife, can confirm whether you can claim this valuable one-off payment.
In short
The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off, tax-free payment of £500 to help with the cost of a new baby, for people on a qualifying benefit who are expecting their first child, or a multiple birth. Claim from 11 weeks before the due date until the baby is six months old. In Scotland, claim the more generous Best Start Grant instead.
Claim it while you can
The simple message with the Sure Start Maternity Grant is to claim it if there is any chance you qualify, and to do so within the time limit. It is a tax-free £500 that you never repay and that does not affect your other benefits, so there is nothing to lose by applying. With help from your midwife or an adviser, the claim is straightforward, and it can ease real pressure at what is often a very expensive time for a new family.
Where to get help
Your midwife, health visitor and Citizens Advice can help you claim. See our guides to Healthy Start and Child Benefit for more help with the cost of a child.