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Sure Start Maternity Grant

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.

Headline rate£500one-off maternity grant (one off)
Written by Due to You Editorial
Reviewed by D2Y Editorial Team
Last updated (2026-04-20)
Sourced from: GOV.UK

Overview

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for parents in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland who are expecting their first child, adopting a first child, or expecting a multiple birth that will join existing children in the household. The grant is £500, does not have to be repaid, and does not reduce entitlement to other benefits. To qualify, the claimant or their partner must be receiving one of a list of qualifying benefits at the time of the claim, most commonly Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit, the disability element of Working Tax Credit, or Housing Benefit. The claim must be made in the window between 11 weeks before the baby's due date and 6 months after the birth (or within 6 months of an adoption or parental order being made). The grant is administered by DWP and claimed on form SF100, available from the claimant's midwife, health visitor, or online. People in Scotland are not eligible for the Sure Start Maternity Grant; the equivalent support in Scotland is delivered through Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment, administered by Social Security Scotland, which operates on different rules and amounts. This page references figures and criteria from the primary GOV.UK source; the authoritative source for any individual award remains the DWP.

Applies in England, Wales, Northern Ireland. Administered by DWP. This page is general information; contact DWP for your individual circumstances.

Rates

RateAmountPeriodSource
One-off maternity grant£500ONE OFF[GOV.UK]

Eligibility criteria include

  • HOUSEHOLD
    Must be expecting a first child, or expecting a multiple birth when there are already other children in the household. [GOV.UK]
  • OTHER
    Claimant 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]
  • OTHER
    Claim window runs from 11 weeks before the baby's due date to 6 months after the baby's birth. [GOV.UK]
  • RESIDENCE
    Sure Start Maternity Grant is only available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland pays Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment instead. [GOV.UK]

Sources