Sure Start Maternity Grant: Complete Guide
The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment of £500 designed to help with the costs of a first baby, or a multiple birth if you already have children. It's not means-tested in the usual sense, but you do need to already be receiving certain benefits to qualify. Here's how the grant works and how to apply.
Who can claim
You may be eligible for the Sure Start Maternity Grant if:
- You, your partner, or a member of your family is expecting your first child, or expecting a multiple birth (twins or more) and already have children.
- You or your partner already receive one of the qualifying benefits, which typically include Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, or Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element.
- You're claiming within the eligible time window — generally from 11 weeks before your due date up to 6 months after the birth.
If you already have children (even from a previous relationship) and this pregnancy isn't a multiple birth, you're unlikely to qualify, as the grant is specifically aimed at first babies.
How to apply
- Get the claim form — the form (commonly known as the Sure Start Maternity Grant claim form) is available from the gov.uk website or your local Jobcentre Plus.
- Ask your midwife or health visitor to sign it — the form needs confirmation from a health professional that you're pregnant or have recently given birth.
- Include supporting evidence — you may need to show proof of your benefit award and, once the baby is born, potentially their birth certificate.
- Submit before the deadline — claims made too early or too late (outside the 11-weeks-before to 6-months-after window) will not be accepted, so timing your application matters.
- Wait for a decision — processing typically takes a few weeks. If approved, the £500 is paid directly, usually into the same account as your existing benefit payments.
Other help worth checking
If you don't qualify for the Sure Start Maternity Grant, it's still worth checking eligibility for other UK support schemes, as criteria differ:
- Healthy Start vouchers — help towards fruit, vegetables, milk and vitamins for pregnant women and young children on a low income.
- Best Start Grant — the Scottish equivalent of the Sure Start Maternity Grant, with different eligibility rules if you live in Scotland.
- Sure Start Maternity Grant equivalents in Northern Ireland — broadly similar rules apply, but always check the current guidance for your nation as schemes and amounts can differ.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I eligible for the Sure Start Maternity Grant?
You may be eligible if this is your first child (or a multiple birth and you already have children), and you or your partner already receive a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit, Income Support or Pension Credit. You must apply within the eligible window — from 11 weeks before your due date to 6 months after birth.
How much is the Sure Start Maternity Grant and is it repaid?
The grant is a one-off payment of £500. It does not need to be repaid and does not affect your other benefit entitlements, as it's a grant rather than a loan.
What if I already have other children?
The grant is intended for first babies. If you already have children and this isn't a multiple birth, you generally won't qualify, though it's always worth checking current gov.uk guidance, as there can be specific exceptions.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
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