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Who is eligible?

You can get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if you or your partner receive any of the following:

and if one of the following applies to you:

The term partner is used here to mean:

• Income Support
• Jobseeker's Allowance
• Employment and Support Allowance (disabled people section)
• Pension Credit

How much do you get?

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

How it's paid

Payment will usually be made directly into a bank, building society or other account provider’s account that you have nominated.

Effect on benefits or tax credits

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

• Tax credits - how to understand them
• How to find out if you qualify for benefits

How to apply

You can apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant by completing claim pack SF100 (Sure Start). To get a claim pack, contact Jobcentre Plus or you can download a copy from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) website. You should return your completed claim pack to Jobcentre Plus.

• Download a Sure Start Maternity Grant form (SF100) (PDF document, 90K) Opens new window
• Help with PDF files
• Adoption law rights - civil partnerships and unmarried couples Opens new window

When to apply

You must claim the grant in the period from the 29th week of your pregnancy until your child is three months old.

If you're adopting a baby or have been granted a residence order, you must claim the grant within three months of the adoption or date of the residence order and the child must be no more than 12 months old when you claim.

If you've been granted a parental order for a surrogate birth, you must claim within three months of the date of the parental order.

If you're waiting for a decision on a qualifying benefit or tax credit do not delay in making your claim as you must still claim within the three month time limit.

How to appeal

If you're refused a Sure Start Maternity Grant or if you have questions about your payment, contact Jobcentre Plus within one month of the date of the decision letter. If you contact Jobcentre Plus 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 Jobcentre Plus 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.

• Contact Jobcentre Plus Opens new window
• How to appeal against a benefits decision

What else you need to know

Information you'll need to provide when you apply

You'll need to tell Jobcentre Plus the date your baby is due.

If your baby has already been born - tell Jobcentre Plus the date of birth, adoption, residence order or parental order.

If you're claiming for adoption, residence order or surrogacy, they'll need to see original copies of your adoption papers or residence or parental order.

You'll also need to show Jobcentre Plus that you've been given advice on the health needs and general welfare of the baby and, if you claim before the baby is born, on maternal health.

There's a certificate for this on the back of the claim form that you'll need to get signed by a health professional, for example:

You can get more information from Jobcentre Plus.

• Contact Jobcentre Plus Opens new window
• Money from the Social Fund Opens new window

More useful links

• Caring for a disabled child (caring for someone section)
• What to do about gaps in your National Insurance record
• Child Trust Fund - how to invest your child's money
• After the birth (parents section)