Sure Start Maternity Grant vs Healthy Start
One-off £500 for first baby vs ongoing vouchers for food and milk
The short answer
Claim both if you qualify. The Sure Start Maternity Grant has a tight claim window (from 11 weeks before the baby is due until 6 months after the birth); Healthy Start can be applied for at any point during pregnancy and throughout the child's first 4 years. In Scotland, the Best Start Grant replaces Sure Start Maternity Grant and is substantially more valuable — see our separate comparison.
Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off £500 paid to lower-income parents of a first child — a single payment, around birth. Healthy Start is an ongoing weekly voucher (around £4.25/week in pregnancy, £8.50/week per child under 1, £4.25/week per child aged 1-4) for milk, fruit, vegetables, and infant formula. They are not alternatives: a parent expecting a first child on a qualifying benefit is entitled to both, plus a free vitamin supply under Healthy Start.
- England
- Wales
- Northern Ireland
Sure Start Maternity Grant
Administered by DWP. Applies in England, Wales, Northern Ireland.
A one-off £500 DWP payment in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland for first-time parents on qualifying benefits, or multiple-birth parents already with children.
- England
- Wales
- Northern Ireland
Healthy Start
Administered by NHSBSA. Applies in England, Wales, Northern Ireland.
NHS prepaid card for pregnant women and families with young children in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to spend on milk, infant formula, fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables, and pulses.
Rates side-by-side
| Rate | Amount | Period |
|---|---|---|
| One-off maternity grant | £500 | ONE OFF |
No headline rate recorded (in-kind or variable).
Eligibility side-by-side
- HOUSEHOLDMust be expecting a first child, or expecting a multiple birth when there are already other children in the household. [GOV.UK]
- OTHERClaimant or partner must be receiving one of the qualifying benefits: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit with the disability or severe disability element, or Housing Benefit. [GOV.UK]
- OTHERClaim window runs from 11 weeks before the baby's due date to 6 months after the baby's birth. [GOV.UK]
- RESIDENCESure Start Maternity Grant is only available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland pays Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment instead. [GOV.UK]
- HOUSEHOLDApplicant must be more than 10 weeks pregnant or have at least one child under 4 years old to apply online. [www.healthystart.nhs.uk]
- INCOMEFamily's monthly take-home pay (earned income) from employment must be £408 or less to apply online. [www.healthystart.nhs.uk]
- OTHERTo apply by email or phone, applicant must be more than 10 weeks pregnant or have at least one child under 4 years old, and must get Pension Credit (including the child addition). [www.healthystart.nhs.uk]
- AGEApplicants who are more than 10 weeks pregnant and under 18 years old and not getting any benefits can also apply by email or phone. [www.healthystart.nhs.uk]
- INCOMEFor non-British citizens with a British child, family must earn £408 or less per month after tax. [www.healthystart.nhs.uk]
- RESIDENCEApplicants living in Scotland are directed to Best Start Foods instead of Healthy Start. [www.healthystart.nhs.uk]
- + 1 more rule on the detail page.
Which one applies to you?
These benefits are paired: each person qualifies for one of the two depending on where they live. Run the triage tool for a nation-aware answer.