''£500 sure start maternity grant''

[Lalababy2010]

Just to clear up a few things, as some woman wasn't sure whether the £500 grant was going to be stopping. I have been searching the internet and came across some really useful information.
And just to let you all know the £500 grant doesn't stop! In April 2011 the rules for the sure start maternity grant is changing to one application only. This basically means that you will only be able to apply for it once regardless of how many children u have.
Hope this has helped a few ladies that was unsure about this like i was.

 

[jenb]

thank goodnwss for that

 

[Lalababy2010]

That's exactly what i was thinking, i couldn't possibly get everything with the money i am on now. So the £500 grant really does come in handy, we're planning on getting all the big stuff with that plus essentials ect

 

[littleblonde]

i heard from the 1st april it was 1st babys only. Can you put the link on. Have seen lots of threads that all say 1st babys only. I didnt get it with my 1st but may this time. But im 28w and a few days on the 1st april!x

 

[theresarhuebb]

ive got a page that states who gets it put not anything about it stopping would have thought the direct gov had this info on!Who is eligible?

You can get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if you or your partner receive any of the following:
Income Support
income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Pension Credit
Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element
Working Tax Credit where a disability or severe disability element is included in the award
and if one of the following applies to you:
you or your partner are pregnant and expecting a baby within 11 weeks or have given birth within the last three months
you or your 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 or your partner are getting benefit for a dependant under the age of 20 who is pregnant and expecting a baby within 11 weeks or has given birth within the last three months
The term partner is used here to mean:
a person you are married to or a person you live with as if you are married to them, or
a civil partner or a person you live with as if you are civil partners
Income Support
Jobseeker's Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance (disabled people section)
Pension Credit
How much do you get?
£500 for each baby. Your savings won't affect the grant.
How it's paid
Jobcentre Plus will normally pay your grant into an account.
Your grant can be paid into the following types of account:
a basic bank account
a current account
a Post Office® card account
a building society account
a credit union account
Find out more about different types of bank accounts
Effect on benefits or tax credits
The Sure Start Maternity Grant won't affect your other benefits or tax credits.
Tax credits - how to understand them
How to find out if you qualify for benefits
How to apply
You can apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant by completing claim pack SF100 (Sure Start). To get a claim pack, contact Jobcentre Plus or you can download a copy from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) website. You should return your completed claim pack to Jobcentre Plus.

 

[rwllgoodchild]

So, at present were not entitled to claim it but once baby is here we should qualify for tax credits, does this mean we can apply for this once we get these benefits sorted after the birth?? xx

 

[theresarhuebb]

im not quite sure to be honest. think it still depends on your income so if your income is still low but your get more tax credits then yes i guess. only thing you can do is apply for it no harm in trying x

 

[theresarhuebb]

something else you maybe able to get if your entitled to grant

https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/index.html

 

[lisamarie]

Just to clear up a few things, as some woman wasn't sure whether the £500 grant was going to be stopping. I have been searching the internet and came across some really useful information.
And just to let you all know the £500 grant doesn't stop! In April 2011 the rules for the sure start maternity grant is changing to one application only. This basically means that you will only be able to apply for it once regardless of how many children u have.
Hope this has helped a few ladies that was unsure about this like i was.

just to let you all know I phoned the grant place up on tueday and the guy told me that no changes have been made its all heresay and nothing has been passed. so as long as you meet the criteria you should get it regardless of how many children you have got

 

[Lalababy2010]

Just to clear up a few things, as some woman wasn't sure whether the £500 grant was going to be stopping. I have been searching the internet and came across some really useful information.
And just to let you all know the £500 grant doesn't stop! In April 2011 the rules for the sure start maternity grant is changing to one application only. This basically means that you will only be able to apply for it once regardless of how many children u have.
Hope this has helped a few ladies that was unsure about this like i was.

just to let you all know I phoned the grant place up on tueday and the guy told me that no changes have been made its all heresay and nothing has been passed. so as long as you meet the criteria you should get it regardless of how many children you have got

Ok, thanks for letting us know

 

[theresarhuebb]

ive just been told that by another member on a different website that this information is incorrect as she had phoned them up and they have said there is no mention of this happening and as far as there concerned its not happening at the moment no talk of it.
which goes back to my thought of " you would have thought they mentioned this in the direct gov website"
hope i dont sound negative. :s al be applying for it soon so ill be enquiring my self

 

[lisamarie]

yes your right they should update the website cos i worried myself silly thinking how i would afford a double pushchair and another cot but the guy really put my mind at rest, just hope it doesnt get passed anytime soon

 

[aileymouse]

excellent, best news I've heard all year. will go and pick up the form, that'll really help as I've just loaned the money of good ol' dad for the pushchair

 

[LittlePeople]

Its all so confusing! Every where I look gives conflicting advise! Thank You OP I think I may ask my midwife when I next see her!

 

[new_to_ttc]

Thanks for this information, I heard that it was being reduced to £250, although hadnt started to look into properly yet. from some of the things said i would have to apply for it before April 1st, as this is my 2nd baby, (I'll have less than 11 weeks to go).

The healthy start grant is no longer available I dont think??? My MW was saying you had to be 25 (or was it 26?) weeks before jan 1st 2011 to qualify for it. So if you're due After April you wont qualify, if she was right of course!

 

[theresarhuebb]

none of this is true maternity grant is taking no changes as for now. the other grant has stopped now you can only claim it if your were 25 weeks before 1st january. x

 

[Claudiam2321]

I asked about it today at the jobcentre ..I can't claim as I'm on contribution jsa and my bf earns too much.

The woman basically said in jobcentre people who do work/ have worked don't get f*** all which really winds me up!!

 

[theresarhuebb]

grr the f**k everyone up there really taking the mick out of us at the moment. my oh recently lossed his job due to the public transport being cancelled cos of the snow we had.now there not even sorting our claim and its been 6weeks with two little kids,im foaming cos child tax is not alot to survive on. there really taking the micky now. grrr they got alot to answer for!!

 

[Icey]

Seems you only really get it if you are on benefits!

 

[Icey]

I asked about it today at the jobcentre ..I can't claim as I'm on contribution jsa and my bf earns too much.

The woman basically said in jobcentre people who do work/ have worked don't get f*** all which really winds me up!!

Couldnt agree more, i paid tons in tax over hte years and i get shite all too, they should stop it for everyone if they are stopping it for some!