Sure Start Maternity Grant 2020
The Sure Start Maternity Grant (SSMG) is a one-off payment of £500 paid to expectant mothers. It provides financial help towards the costs associated with having a child.
In most cases, you qualify for the £500 maternity grant if both of these apply to your circumstances:
- You are pregnant and expecting your first child (or you already have children and this will be a multiple birth (e.g. twins, triplets)).
- Either you or your partner are already getting one of the qualifying benefits (further details below).
There is a time limit for claiming the Sure Start Maternity Grant. So, you should make your claim within eleven (11) weeks of when the baby will be born (i.e. the due date) or no later than six (6) months after the birth.
Similar to most grants and pregnancy funding for people on a low income, there is no need to repay the money. Likewise, SSMG will not affect your tax credits or other benefits you may already be receiving.
Sure Start Maternity Grant How Much Will You Get
The standard payment is £500 and you will not need to pay it back. But, you may NOT qualify for SSMG if you already have children.
So, how much will you get if you already have children under the age of 16?If this is the case, you can only qualify for a grant for you second baby if you are (either):
- Expecting twins or triplets (e.g. a multiple birth).
- Looking after someone else’s child (e.g. kinship care, fostering).
If You have Children Under 16 | Amount if You Have Twins | Amount if You Have Triplets |
None are from multiple births | £500 | £1,000 |
If you already have twins | £0 | £500 |
If you already have triplets | £0 | £0 |
Pregnancy Grant Payment
Like almost all social security benefits, allowances, and pensions, the money goes straight into your bank account, building society, or credit union account.
Another section explains how and when your benefits are paid with extra information on benefits frequencies.
Sure Start Maternity Grant Eligibility
To be certain of qualifying for Sure Start Maternity Grant there should be no other children in your family and either you or your partner should be getting at least one of these benefits:
- Child Tax Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit (if it includes a disability or severe disability element)
Furthermore, you may also meet the eligibility criteria if you get a Support for Mortgage Interest loan.
You might still get the grant even if you already have at least one child under the age of sixteen, if (either):
- You will be having a multiple birth.
- The child who is dependent on you is not yours (or your partner’s) and the child was older than twelve (12) months when you started the arrangement.
What if you are not giving birth?
The Sure Start Maternity Grant is one of the grants you are entitled to when pregnant. Even so, adopting a child, or becoming a surrogate parent, may not exclude you from claiming the payment.
Providing the baby is less than 12 months old on the date you claim, you may be eligible if you are receiving one of the qualifying benefits, and you (either):
- Became responsible for the baby but you are not the mother.
- Had the baby placed with you for adoption.
- Received permission to adopt a baby from abroad.
- Got a parental order for a surrogate birth.
- Have been appointed as the baby’s guardian.
- Are in possession of an adoption or a residence order.
How to Get Sure Start Maternity Grant
Follow these two basic steps to apply for the £500 payment:
- Print out and fill in the Sure Start Maternity Grant claim form (SF100) available on the GOV.UK website. Ask a health professional to sign your claim form (e.g. a doctor or midwife).
- Post it to ‘Freepost DWP SSMG’ (there is no need to write a postcode or affix a stamp).
You will receive a letter confirming whether your claim was successful. The decision on your claim would follow your next payment if you are getting Universal Credit.
When Can You Apply for Sure Start Baby Grant?
The earliest you can claim is eleven (11) weeks before the week that the baby is due. On the other hand, you cannot make a claim later than six (6) months after the baby is born.
Likewise, you must claim within six (6) months of you becoming responsible for a child, such as being placed with you through adoption or fostering.
You can get further help with a claim at your local Jobcentre Plus branch or by calling the Sure Start Maternity Grant helpline phone number.
Sure Start Maternity Grant Helpline
Telephone: 0800 169 0140
NGT text relay (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0140
Check the cost of making the call
In addition, you can also make a request for alternative formats through the helpline (e.g. audio CD, Braille, or large print).
Disagreeing with a Decision
Finally, what if you disagree with a decision about your claim? In this case, understanding how to ask for a mandatory reconsideration will help you get the department to look at the decision again.