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 payment to help towards the cost of maternity and baby items. The grant is tax free and you don’t have to repay it.

Changes in the rules for Sure Start Maternity Grants

The rules for Sure Start Maternity Grants 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.

The rules for your dependent child’s new baby and any other babies born at the same time

You can only get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if your dependant is under 20 years and has no other children.

Who can 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
State 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 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 three months
a dependent child you receive benefit for is expecting a baby within 11 weeks or has given birth within the last three 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

How much do you get?

You can get £500 for each baby. Your savings won't affect the grant.

How is a Sure Start Maternity Grant paid?

All benefits, pensions and allowances are usually paid into an account of your choice. This is the safest, most convenient and efficient method of payment.

How benefits and pensions are paid

How to claim a Sure Start Maternity Grant

You can apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant by completing claim pack SF100 (Sure Start). To get a claim pack, contact your nearest Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office or you can download a copy from the 'Do it online' section on the NIdirect website. You should return your completed claim pack to the Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office.

When to 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 three months old
your dependant has become the responsible parent of a baby (but not the mother), you must claim within three months of them becoming responsible
you’ve become the responsible parent of a baby (but not the mother), you must claim within three months of becoming responsible
you’ve been granted an adoption, a residence or a parental order, you must claim within three months of the order being granted
you’ve adopted a baby abroad, you must claim within three 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 three 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 three month time limit.

Effect on benefits or tax credits

The Sure Start Maternity Grant won't affect your other benefits or tax credits.

What else you need to know

When you apply you’ll need to tell your Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office:

the date your baby is due
the date of birth if your baby has already been born

If you have become the responsible parent tell your Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office:

when the baby came to live with you
when you got the Child Benefit award

Your Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office will need to see original copies of papers if the baby you’re claiming for is the subject of:

an adoption
a placement for adoption
a residence order
surrogacy
guardianship

You’ll also need to show your Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office that you’ve been given advice on the health needs and general welfare of the baby. If you claim before the baby is born, you’ll also need to show that you’ve been given advice on maternal health.

There’s a certificate for this on the back of the claim form. You’ll need to get this signed by a health professional, for example:

a community or hospital midwife
a health visitor
your doctor

You can get more information from Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office.

How to appeal

If you're refused a Sure Start Maternity Grant or if you have questions about your payment, contact your nearest Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office within one month of the date of the decision letter. If you contact the Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office later they may not be able to help you.

You, or someone else who has the authority to act on your behalf, can:

ask for an explanation
ask for a written statement of reasons for the decision
ask the Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office to look again at the decision to see if it can be changed - there may be some facts you think have been overlooked or you may have more information which affects the decision
appeal against the decision to an independent tribunal - this must be in writing

You can do any of the actions listed above, or you can do all of them.