The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-time payment from the UK government to help low-income families with the costs of a new baby. The grant is worth 500 and can be used to buy essential items such as a cot, a pram, and clothes.
To be eligible for the Sure Start Maternity Grant, you must be pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months. You must also be receiving one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- Universal Credit with an element for a child
If you are eligible for the Sure Start Maternity Grant, you can apply online or by post. You will need to provide proof of your identity, proof of your pregnancy or birth, and proof of your income.
The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a valuable benefit that can help low-income families with the costs of a new baby. If you are eligible, we encourage you to apply.
1. Income Support
Income Support is a benefit that is paid to people on a low income who are unable to work. It can be claimed by people who are pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months. Income Support is one of the benefits that can be used to qualify for the Sure Start Maternity Grant. This is a one-time payment of 500 that can be used to help with the costs of a new baby.
To be eligible for Income Support, you must be:
- aged 16 or over
- living in the UK
- not working more than 16 hours a week
- have a low income
You can apply for Income Support online or by phone. You will need to provide proof of your identity, proof of your income, and proof of your pregnancy or birth.
If you are eligible for Income Support, you will receive a weekly payment. The amount of the payment will depend on your circumstances.
Income Support is a valuable benefit that can help low-income families with the costs of a new baby. If you are pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months, and you are not working more than 16 hours a week, you may be eligible to claim Income Support.
2. Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (IBJSA) is a benefit that is paid to people who are unemployed and actively looking for work. It can be claimed by people who are pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months. IBJSA is one of the benefits that can be used to qualify for the Sure Start Maternity Grant. This is a one-time payment of 500 that can be used to help with the costs of a new baby.
To be eligible for IBJSA, you must be:
- aged 16 or over
- living in the UK
- not working more than 16 hours a week
- actively looking for work
- have a low income
You can apply for IBJSA online or by phone. You will need to provide proof of your identity, proof of your income, proof of your pregnancy or birth, and proof that you are actively looking for work.
If you are eligible for IBJSA, you will receive a weekly payment. The amount of the payment will depend on your circumstances.
IBJSA is a valuable benefit that can help low-income families with the costs of a new baby. If you are pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months, and you are not working more than 16 hours a week, you may be eligible to claim IBJSA.
3. Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is a benefit that is paid to people who are unable to work due to a disability or health condition. It can be claimed by people who are pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months. ESA is one of the benefits that can be used to qualify for the Sure Start Maternity Grant. This is a one-time payment of 500 that can be used to help with the costs of a new baby.
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Eligibility
To be eligible for ESA, you must be:
- aged 16 or over
- living in the UK
- not working
- have a disability or health condition that prevents you from working
- have a low income
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How to apply
You can apply for ESA online or by phone. You will need to provide proof of your identity, proof of your income, proof of your pregnancy or birth, and proof of your disability or health condition.
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How much you will get
The amount of ESA you will receive will depend on your circumstances. You can check how much you will get on the GOV.UK website.
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ESA and the Sure Start Maternity Grant
If you are receiving ESA, you may be eligible to claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant. This is a one-time payment of 500 that can be used to help with the costs of a new baby. To claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant, you must be pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months, and you must be receiving ESA. You can apply for the Sure Start Maternity Grant online or by phone.
ESA is a valuable benefit that can help low-income families with the costs of a new baby. If you are pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months, and you are unable to work due to a disability or health condition, you may be eligible to claim ESA. You may also be eligible to claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant.
4. Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
The Child Tax Credit is a benefit that is paid to families with children. It is paid monthly and the amount you receive depends on your circumstances. One of the ways to qualify for the Child Tax Credit is to have a child who is disabled or has a severe disability. This is known as the disability or severe disability element.
If you are pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months, and you are receiving the Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element, you may be eligible to claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant. This is a one-time payment of 500 that can be used to help with the costs of a new baby.
To claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant, you must be pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months, and you must be receiving the Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element. You can apply for the Sure Start Maternity Grant online or by phone.
The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a valuable benefit that can help low-income families with the costs of a new baby. If you are pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months, and you are receiving the Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element, you may be eligible to claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant.
5. Universal Credit with an element for a child
Universal Credit is a benefit that is paid to people on a low income. It can be claimed by people who are pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months. Universal Credit that includes an element for a child is one of the benefits that can be used to qualify for the Sure Start Maternity Grant. This is a one-time payment of 500 that can be used to help with the costs of a new baby.
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Eligibility
To be eligible for Universal Credit with an element for a child, you must be:
- aged 16 or over
- living in the UK
- not working more than 16 hours a week
- have a low income
- have a child
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How to apply
You can apply for Universal Credit online or by phone. You will need to provide proof of your identity, proof of your income, proof of your pregnancy or birth, and proof of your child.
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How much you will get
The amount of Universal Credit you will receive will depend on your circumstances. You can check how much you will get on the GOV.UK website.
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Universal Credit and the Sure Start Maternity Grant
If you are receiving Universal Credit with an element for a child, you may be eligible to claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant. This is a one-time payment of 500 that can be used to help with the costs of a new baby. To claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant, you must be pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months, and you must be receiving Universal Credit with an element for a child. You can apply for the Sure Start Maternity Grant online or by phone.
Universal Credit is a valuable benefit that can help low-income families with the costs of a new baby. If you are pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months, and you are receiving Universal Credit with an element for a child, you may be eligible to claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant.
FAQs about How to Apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant
Here are some frequently asked questions about how to apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant:
Question 1: Who is eligible for a Sure Start Maternity Grant?
You are eligible for a Sure Start Maternity Grant if you are pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months and you are receiving one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- Universal Credit with an element for a child
Question 2: How much is the Sure Start Maternity Grant?
The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-time payment of 500.
Question 3: How can I apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant?
You can apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant online or by post. You will need to provide proof of your identity, proof of your pregnancy or birth, and proof of your income.
Question 4: What can I use the Sure Start Maternity Grant for?
You can use the Sure Start Maternity Grant to buy essential items for your new baby, such as a cot, a pram, and clothes.
Question 5: What is the deadline to apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant?
There is no deadline to apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant. However, it is recommended that you apply as soon as possible after your baby is born.
Question 6: What if I have more questions about the Sure Start Maternity Grant?
If you have any further questions about the Sure Start Maternity Grant, you can contact the Sure Start team on 0800 141 2133.
We hope this information has been helpful. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Transition to the next article section:
If you are pregnant or have recently given birth, you may also be interested in learning about other benefits and services that are available to you. Please visit our website for more information.
Tips for Applying for a Sure Start Maternity Grant
Here are five tips for applying for a Sure Start Maternity Grant:
Tip 1: Check your eligibility
The first step is to check if you are eligible for a Sure Start Maternity Grant. You are eligible if you are pregnant or have given birth in the past 12 months and you are receiving one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
- Universal Credit with an element for a child
Tip 2: Gather your evidence
Once you have checked your eligibility, you will need to gather evidence to support your claim. This includes proof of your identity, proof of your pregnancy or birth, and proof of your income.
Tip 3: Apply as soon as possible
There is no deadline to apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant. However, it is recommended that you apply as soon as possible after your baby is born.
Tip 4: Apply online or by post
You can apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant online or by post. If you apply online, you will need to create a Government Gateway account. If you apply by post, you can download the application form from the GOV.UK website.
Tip 5: Keep a copy of your application
Once you have submitted your application, keep a copy for your records. This will be useful if you need to contact the Sure Start team about your application.
Following these tips will help you to apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant quickly and easily.
Summary of key takeaways or benefits:
- Applying for a Sure Start Maternity Grant is a straightforward process.
- You can apply online or by post.
- You will need to provide proof of your identity, proof of your pregnancy or birth, and proof of your income.
- There is no deadline to apply, but it is recommended that you apply as soon as possible after your baby is born.
- Keeping a copy of your application will be useful if you need to contact the Sure Start team about your application.
Transition to the article’s conclusion:
If you are pregnant or have recently given birth, we encourage you to apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant. This grant can help you to cover the costs of essential items for your new baby.
Closing Remarks on Applying for a Sure Start Maternity Grant
Applying for a Sure Start Maternity Grant is a relatively simple process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can increase your chances of a successful application. Remember to check your eligibility, gather your evidence, apply as soon as possible, and keep a copy of your application for your records.
The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a valuable benefit that can help low-income families with the costs of a new baby. If you are eligible, we encourage you to apply. By doing so, you can help to ensure that your child has a healthy start in life.
