£500 sure start maternity grant

[Lalababy2010]

Hey all, just a quick question..
I sent of for my sure start grant form Saturday 19th & still haven't heard back yet. So i am just wondering if anyone else has applied for the grant around the same time as me, and have heard back all ready.
I should be able to qualify for the grant because i am in the qualifying criteria. But i can't help but worry that i haven't qualified, i was planning on getting the crib and cot bed and other stuff ect. And it seems like if they leave it too long, i won't have time to get the stuff. So annoying.
I have been searching the internet, and some people have said that they received their grant within 10 days, and some said the money was in their bank before they received a letter..
Can some one please reassure me? lol.. x

 

[new_mummy]

Can I ask how you know that you qualify?

 

[N1kki]

if your babys born before 11th april your qualify,it can take couple weeks to come through best bet is contact social fund line and their be able tell ya if your claim has been processed or not.Otherwise its just the waiting game,your get a letter of confirmation too to say if you have or not.

 

[Lalababy2010]

I looked on the directgov site. And N1kki what do mean about if your baby's born before the 5th April then you qualify? You still qualify if you baby's born after April. They haven't stopped the sure start grant. x

 

[new_mummy]

If your baby is due or born from 11 April 2011 onwards, there must not be any other children under 16 years old in the family in order to get the grant. PLUS you have to be getting at least one 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

 

[Gemie]

It has to be your first baby or your other children have to be over 16 if you're to get the grant before due date 11th April. If this is your first baby that won't apply to you. x

 

[Lalababy2010]

Oh ok, this is my first baby. so im pleased i still qualify. xx

 

[Gemie]

Yep, if you meet all the other criteria i.e the relevant benefits you'll be okay. x

 

[tropicana]

i never knew about this with my first and then i found out once it was too late to apply for it, so i still cant get it this time even though i know about it now gutted as it would of helped a lot

 

[JustMe.]

I applied but got told i dont qualify, they sent me a letter after about a week of them recieving my form. I dont qualify untill after baby is born cause i wont be getting child tax credit and working tax credit untill then, its so annoying cause i was gona get the breast pump with that which costs £120 so now i cant afford to get that untill she born, dunno how im meant to feed her cause i plan on expressing every day x

 

[Yazz_n_bump]

Ring them up. x

 

[happy-evie]

i just got a call from them today ..they said i wont be getting it because i haven't claimed any other benefits...but i dont even know if im qualified for any other benefits...im full time at uni and so is oh...we live together and everything...i was told by my midwife i qualify....so now they said i must apply for other benefits then re apply for the sure start...how do i even know what benefits im entitled to?...lol it hasn't really bothered me much because we work well with our money and stuff but if im entitled to free money then why not....

 

[holidaysan]

I got mine with 7 working days. It can take longer though. Just give them a call x

 

[AP]

I applied but got told i dont qualify, they sent me a letter after about a week of them recieving my form. I dont qualify untill after baby is born cause i wont be getting child tax credit and working tax credit untill then, its so annoying cause i was gona get the breast pump with that which costs £120 so now i cant afford to get that untill she born, dunno how im meant to feed her cause i plan on expressing every day x

Hunny i used a medela mini electric for 15 weeks straight - it's possible to use a cheaper alternative, so if you have to, don't panic!

In reply to the OP it took about 2 weeks

 

[NicolleM.T.B.]

i just got a call from them today ..they said i wont be getting it because i haven't claimed any other benefits...but i dont even know if im qualified for any other benefits...im full time at uni and so is oh...we live together and everything...i was told by my midwife i qualify....so now they said i must apply for other benefits then re apply for the sure start...how do i even know what benefits im entitled to?...lol it hasn't really bothered me much because we work well with our money and stuff but if im entitled to free money then why not....

You should still get child benefit (pretty much everyone gets this) and child tax credits, so make sure you re-apply for those when baby is born and then apply for grant again because you'll get it then. I'm in the same situation as you! Its so annoying because claiming anything is really hard when your at uni, they make it really complicated!

 

[x Alanna x]

ring this number .. 0845 608 8580 and ask them about your claim

they messed me about big time!!.. saying i wasnt entitled when i was!!.. i applied for the 2nd time and sent in proof that i was on the correct ESA.. and wrote them a letter explaining everything.. and they still declined me!!! i had to keep pestering them and then they finally changed their decision!!

goodluck xx