The pregnancy grant is a one-off payment, and it does not need to be repaid. The grant is also tax-free and does not affect any other benefits or tax credits that the claimant may be receiving. Here is some information about the pregnancy grant, including the eligibility criteria:
Eligibility criteria:
To be eligible for the pregnancy grant, the following criteria must be met:
- The claimant must be at least 29 weeks pregnant, or the baby must have been born within the last three months.
- The claimant must be living in the UK.
- The claimant must be receiving certain benefits or tax credits, such as Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, Income Support, or Pension Credit. Alternatively, the claimant may be receiving Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, or Child Benefit.
- You cannot apply for Sure Maternity from Scotland. If you’re living in Scotland, you can apply for Best Start Grant instead: https://www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant-best-start-foods
It’s important to note that only one pregnancy grant is paid per pregnancy. In cases where there are multiple births, such as twins or triplets, only one grant will be paid.
How Much Does Sure Start Maternity Pay?
The current amount of the pregnancy grant is £500. The payment is made directly into the claimant’s bank account, usually within a few weeks of the claim being approved.
Application process:
The application process for the pregnancy grant is straightforward. First, you need to fill out the form below:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sure-start-maternity-grant-claim-form
The form will ask for personal details, including the claimant’s name, address, and National Insurance number. The form will also ask for information about the claimant’s pregnancy, such as the expected due date or the date of birth if the baby has already been born. The form will also ask for information about the claimant’s benefits or tax credits.
Once the form has been submitted, the claim will be processed, and the claimant will be informed whether their claim has been approved or rejected. If the claim is approved, the payment will be made directly into the claimant’s bank account.
In conclusion, the pregnancy grant is a one-off payment that can help parents-to-be cover some of the costs associated with having a baby. To be eligible, the claimant must be at least 29 weeks pregnant or have had a baby within the last three months and be receiving certain benefits or tax credits. The payment is £500, and the application process is straightforward. If you believe you may be eligible for the pregnancy grant, it’s important to apply as soon as possible to ensure you receive the payment in a timely manner.