What Are The Sure Start Maternity Grant & Pregnancy and Baby Payment?

There’s no getting round it – babies are expensive!

But did you know that lots of you Mummies, Daddies and guardians of new babies as well as those with little bundles on the way could be entitled to a £500 grant from the government? You could get £606 if you live in Scotland! And best of all, you don’t need to pay it back!

These payments are primarily designed to help if you are expecting your first child and are in receipt of benefits, but there are circumstances where you may be eligible to claim even if you already have children under 16 living with you. Plus, if you live in Scotland, you can claim £303 for subsequent children who are not your first born. Sound good? Here’s what you need to know…

What does the Sure Start Maternity Grant and Pregnancy & Baby Payment Cover?

If your application for one of these grants is accepted, it’s up to you how you spend the money. You could use the money to purchase your pram or travel system, to stock up on baby clothes or other essentials such as nappies – it’s totally up to you. And from what the parents in our Facebook community tell us, this grant can really help – it’s worth your while to fill out the forms.

The grants are designed to be a helping hand at what can be an expensive time. If you’d like to use your payment to bag some bargains, don’t forget to check out our website for the latest deals, bargains and baby events!

Sure Start Maternity Grant – How much could I get?

So, how does it work? Well if you’re expecting your first child and live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, you could be eligible to receive a one-off payment of £500.

If you or your partner already have children under the age of 16 who live with you, you can also apply for the grant if you are having twins and would receive £500 or triplets to receive £1,000 – unless you’ve already had a multiple birth.

Am I eligible for the Sure Start Maternity Grant?

To claim for the one off tax-free payment of £500 you should be in receipt of at least one benefit such as universal credit, tax credits, income support etc (see list below). This should also be your first child. Your actual income isn’t important and receiving this payment won’t impact the benefits you receive.

You should be in receipt of one of these benefits to claim:

Income Support
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element
Working Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
Universal Credit

You may also be able to get the grant if your baby is not your first born but you’re having twins or triplets, or if other children living with you are aged 16 or over. If you’re having a multiple birth you can claim £500 for twins or £1,000 triplets if you already have one or more child under 16, unless you’ve already had a multiple birth.

Adoptive parents and surrogate parents may also qualify for the grant providing they claim before a child’s first birthday. Find more on this here.

If you meet other eligibility criteria and you care for a baby who is not yours or your partner’s you may be able to claim even if the child was over 12 months when the arrangement began.

How do I claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant?

If you think you are eligible to claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant you should download an SF100 form for Northern Ireland, or England and Wales which needs to be signed by a health professional. The form can either posted back or handed in through your local Job Centre. You can find the SF100 form here.

You will need:

your details and those of your partner if you have one (name, address, date of birth)
Information about your other children
You will also need to provide bank details for payment of the grant or it can be paid in the same way you receive your other benefits if you don’t have an account
There is a deadline for the Sure Start Maternity Grant and if you are the birth parents you should apply within 11 weeks of baby’s due date or within six months after birth. You should receive a letter back to tell you if your claim is successful.

To make further enquiries or to get help with your application you can contact the Sure Start Maternity Grant helpline on 0800 169 0140 or Job Centre Plus.

Scotland’s Best Start Grant – Pregnancy & Baby Payment

In December 2018 Scotland replaced the UK government Sure Start Maternity Grant with their own Best Start Grant Pregnancy & Baby Payment. Like the Sure Start grant, to qualify parents should be in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits whether you work or not.

Differences between the Sure Start Grant and Scottish Best Start

There are some key differences between the new Scottish grant and the Sure Start Grant available elsewhere in the UK. Scottish Mummies and Daddies will be pleased to find out that it gives an extra £100 to parents on the birth of their first child (£606). Plus, a £306 grant is also available for subsequent children (in the UK payment is capped to your first child only).

Importantly, this means if you have a child who is not your first child but is not yet six months (and born before the changes were made) – you could be eligible to receive a payment of £303 if you act soon.

There is also more financial help available for parents of multiples in Scotland, with an additional payment to help with the cost of caring for more than one baby.

If you’re having twins you will receive £606 if one is your first child, plus £303 for your second child and a £303 payment to ‘help with the cost of having more than one baby’ = £1,212 total

If having twins but you already have children, you would receive £303 for each child plus the £303 payment to help with having more than one baby = £909.

Also worth noting – if you’re adopting or you’re a kinship carer and meet the other eligibility criteria you have up to 1st birthday to apply.

Applying for the Pregnancy and Baby Payment in Scotland

You can apply online on the Scottish government website here

You can download a paper form if you prefer here.

For help completing the forms you can call 0800 182 2222 (8am-6pm Mon-Fri) or visit your local Citizens Advice Scotland for free face-to-face help.

*This post was updated in September 2021 to ensure accuracy of information*

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