Who qualifies and how - The Maternity Alliance look at the Maternity Grant from the Social Fund

What is it?
A lump sum payment (a grant which you do not have to pay back) to help buy things for a new baby.

How much is it?
£300 at the moment. From April 2002 the grant will increase to £500.

If you have more than £500 in savings the payment will be reduced. For every £1 of savings over £500, £1 will be deducted.

Who gets it?
Pregnant women and new parents who are getting income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Working Families’ Tax Credit (WFTC) or Disabled Person’s Tax Credit (DPTC) who have less than £500 savings.

How do I claim?
Claim using form SF100 (Sure Start) which you can get from your local benefits agency (social security office). You can claim any time from 11 weeks before the due date until three months after the birth.

Part of the form will need to be completed by your midwife, GP or health visitor. This is to confirm when your baby is due or actually born, and that you have received advice about the health and welfare of yourself or your baby.

If you can't get income-based JSA, Income Support, WFTC or DPTC until after your baby is born, claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant before your baby is three months old.

For more information about working parents’ rights see the Maternity Alliance website.

Or contact The Maternity Alliance office:
45 Beech Street
London EC2P 2LX
Information line l 020 7588 8582