What is a Sure Start Maternity Grant?
A Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment of £500 to help with the costs of having a new-born or adopted baby. It only applies to people living in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
You will only get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if the new baby is the only child under 16 in the household. There are special rules for multiple births.
You can choose how to spend the grant money. You do not have to pay the grant back and it won’t affect your other benefits or tax credits.
A Sure Start Maternity Grant does not count as income when calculating your entitlement to other means-tested benefits.
Applies to: England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Age rules: There are no specific age rules
Type of benefit: Means-tested
Taxable: No
Administered by: Jobcentre Plus
If you live in Scotland
In Scotland, the Best Start Grant has replaced the Sure Start Maternity Grant.
Read the Best Start Grants guide for more information.
Updated September 2021