Care and support

Sure start maternity grant

You may be able to get a sure start maternity grant of £500 if you or your partner is getting one of the following:

• income support
• income related employment and support allowance
• income-based jobseeker’s allowance
• pension credit (if you or your partner are aged 60 or over)
• working tax credit (with a disability element or severe disability element) or
• child tax credit (at a rate greater than the family element) on the day that you claim

To qualify for a grant you will have to show that you have received advice from a health professional (doctor, midwife or health visitor) on the health and welfare needs of the new baby, and on maternal health if you apply before the baby is born. The health professional should sign the detachable part of the claim form.

You can claim a sure start maternity grant at any time from the 11th week before the week in which the baby is due until 3 months after the baby is born, or 3 months after the adoption order.

Claim a sure start maternity grant on form SF100 from your local jobcentre plus.