Maternity Grant
If you're on a low income, the SureStart Maternity Grant is a one-off payment to help towards costs of a new baby which you don’t have to pay back. Please note, despite its name SureStart County Durham and all sure start children’s centres do not award this grant.
Who is eligible?
You can get a SureStart Maternity Grant if you or your partner or civil partner receives any of the following:- Income Support.
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.
- Pension Credit.
- Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element.
- You or your partner or civil partner are pregnant or have given birth within the last three months
- You or your partner or civil partner have adopted a child, or in certain circumstances have been granted a residence order for a child, within the last three months and the child is less than one year old
- You and your husband or wife have been granted a parental order for a surrogate birth within the last three months
- You’re getting benefit for a dependant under the age of 20 who is pregnant or has given birth within the last three months
How much could I get?
£500 for each baby. Your savings won't affect the grant.How is it paid?
The SureStart Maternity Grant can be paid directly into your bank, building society, Post Office or National Savings account that accepts Direct Payments.
The SureStart Maternity Grant won't affect your other benefits or tax credits.
When to Apply
You can claim the grant at any time from the 29th week of your pregnancy until your child is three months old.If you're adopting a baby or, in certain circumstances, have been granted a residence order, you must claim the grant within three months of the adoption or date of the residence order and the child should be no more than 12 months old when you claim.
For information about applying for this grant either visit your nearest jobcentre plus, call 0800 0556688 text phone 0800 0234888.