⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: These tools are for educational purposes only and are not medical advice. Please consult your GP, health visitor, or NHS healthcare provider for any health concerns.
UK Sure Start Maternity Grant

Sure Start Maternity Grant Checker (UK)

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a £500 one-off, tax-free, non-repayable grant for parents of a first baby on certain benefits. The higher rate of £642.62 applies to multiple births. This checker tells you if you qualify based on the four eligibility criteria. Plus what to do if you do not (Healthy Start scheme, local council hardship funds, baby banks). All inputs stay in your browser.

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England, Wales, and Northern Ireland tool. Scotland has the more generous Best Start Grant instead. Updated 2025-26 rates.

Sure Start Maternity Grant Eligibility

Qualifying benefits: Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit (full rate), Working Tax Credit with disabled or severe disabled element.

Your Sure Start Maternity Grant Eligibility

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this tool

The £500 grant is for first children only. The reasoning is that you should still have baby equipment from your previous child. The only exception is multiple birth (twins, triplets). If you have twins as your second pregnancy, you qualify because the additional babies need their own equipment. The first baby rule is strict regardless of how many years have passed since your previous child. Many parents argue this rule is outdated since baby equipment wears out. The rule has not changed since the grant was introduced.
You must be receiving at least one of: Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseekers Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit at the full rate (more than the family element), or Working Tax Credit with disabled or severe disabled element. The most common qualifying benefit for new parents is Universal Credit. If you have just started UC, you can apply for Sure Start as soon as your UC claim is approved (even before your first UC payment arrives).
Download or request form SF100 from gov.uk. The form has two parts. You fill in the personal details and benefits information. A health professional (midwife, GP, health visitor, or doctor) fills in the medical confirmation section verifying your pregnancy and due date or your baby's birth. Send the completed form to your local Jobcentre Plus. Some people apply online via the UC journal. Allow 2-4 weeks for processing. Payment goes to the bank account where your other benefits are paid.
Apply between 11 weeks before your due date and 6 months after the baby is born. Most people apply around 29 weeks of pregnancy when they can get a midwife signature. Applying after birth is fine but you must claim before the 6-month deadline. After 6 months postpartum, you can no longer claim Sure Start regardless of circumstances. If you adopt or take on parental responsibility for a child under 1, you also have 6 months from when the child came into your care.
Only one partner needs to be on a qualifying benefit. If you are on UC (qualifying) and your partner is on Statutory Maternity Pay or has earnings (not qualifying for Sure Start in itself), you can still claim Sure Start through your UC. The grant is per pregnancy/baby, not per parent. Submit the form in your name with your UC details.
No. Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off grant that does not count as income or capital for any other benefit. It does not reduce your UC, does not stop Child Benefit, does not affect Housing Benefit or any other support. Use the money for anything related to your baby with no restrictions. It is also tax-free and not repayable.
Yes. Scotland has the Best Start Grant which is more generous than Sure Start. Three Best Start payments are available: Pregnancy and Baby Payment (£767.50 for first baby, £383.75 for subsequent babies, plus £383.75 extra for multiple births), Early Learning Payment (£319.80 at age 2-3.5), and School Age Payment (£319.80 at age 5-6). All paid by Social Security Scotland. Apply at mygov.scot/best-start-grant. Wales has Flying Start in disadvantaged areas. Northern Ireland still uses Sure Start.