Sure Start Maternity Grant

You could get a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child. This is known as a Sure Start Maternity Grant. You don’t have to pay the grant back and it won’t affect your other benefits or tax credits.

Usually, you qualify for the grant if:

• you’re expecting your first child - or you’re expecting a multiple birth (eg twins) and have children already

• you already get certain benefits

You must claim within 11 weeks of expecting the baby or within 3 months of the birth.

Note. These are applied for on line or via the Job centre.  Not via Children Centres (surestart).