Sure Start Maternity Grant

Sure Start Maternity Grants are non repayable payments, of a fixed amount. You do not have to pay national Insurance contributions to qualify.

You may receive a Sure Start Maternity Grant if you, or your partner, are in receipt of one of the following benefits:

a baby is expected, born, adopted or the subject of a Parental Order.

Sure Start Maternity Grants can be paid for expectant/new mothers under 19 who are part of an assessment unit which is awarded a qualifying benefit or tax credit.

Special rules apply to those involved in trade disputes.

You should complete form SF100 (Sure Start).

You can normally claim at any time from the 11th week before the first day of the week in which the baby is due, up to 3 months from the date of birth, adoption or parental order.

Those adopting can apply for a payment if the baby is not more than 12 months old when they apply and they apply within three months of the adoption order.

Married couples who have a child by a surrogate mother are eligible for a Sure Start Maternity Grant, provided they have been granted a Parental Order. A claim must be made within 3 months from the date of the Parental Order.

You must provide evidence that advice has been received on the health and welfare of the child and, where a claim is made before confinement, on maternal health.

By direct payment into an account.

£500 for each child.

If you do not understand or disagree with a decision, you can ask for an explanation and/or for the decision to be looked at again. You also have the right of appeal.