The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-time payment of £500 to help with the costs of having a new baby. It is available to eligible parents in the UK who are expecting a baby or who have had a baby in the past 3 months.
If you are pregnant then you can claim from 11 weeks before the week your baby is due. But remember that the latest you can claim is 6 months after your baby is born. If you’re becoming responsible for a child, you must claim within 6 months of this happening.
Sure Start Maternity Grant Eligibility
To be eligible for the Sure Start Maternity Grant, you must be receiving certain benefits, including Universal Credit, Income Support, or Pension Credit. You may also be eligible if you are receiving other benefits, such as Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, and have an income below a certain threshold.
To apply for the Sure Start Maternity Grant, you must fill out an application form, which is available from your local Jobcentre Plus office or by downloading it from the GOV.UK website. You will need to provide proof of your pregnancy, such as a MATB1 form or a letter from your doctor or midwife, as well as proof of your eligibility for the grant, such as proof of your benefits or income.
It is important to apply for the Sure Start Maternity Grant as soon as possible, as the application must be received within 11 weeks of the expected date of birth or within 3 months after the baby's birth. Once your application is approved, the payment will be made directly into your bank account.
Maternity Grant Application Form
You can download the maternity grant application form from here
Call the Sure Start Maternity Grant helpline
To apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant, you need to call the government's Social Fund Contact Number at 0800 169 0140. The line is open Monday to Friday, from 8 am to 6 pm. You can use this number to request an application form, check the status of your application, or get help with the application process. Note that you can only apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant if you live in the United Kingdom, receive certain benefits or tax credits, and are expecting your first child or a multiple birth (such as twins or triplets).
Sure Start Maternity Grant phone number.
Telephone: 0800 169 0140
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone) 18001 then 0800 169 0140
