maternity allowance - what am i entitled to ?

[kelly85]

I am sure i am eligible for maternity allowance. i am going to be a single parent and need all the help i can get. i want to know if i can get a sure start maternity grant if i get maternity allowance ? i was reading through things today and it wasnt clear ..from what i gathered seems to be people on income support / esa can only get the surestart grant ?

can anyone clarify this ?

thanks

 

[shell2890]

are you currently working? as far as i'm aware as long as you are on a low income you're entitled to the surestart grant but you only recieve maternity allowance if you're working/self employed and not entitled to stautary maternity pay

 

[suzib76]

Maternity allowance doesn't automatically qualify you for the sure start, but, it doesn't mean you can't get it either so really the question is unanswerable without more info on your situation

 

[CelticStar]

I get maternity allowance and have just got our surestart grant, not because of the ma but because we get child tax credit at a higher rate than the family element.

Obviously I didn't get the tax credits until LO was born but you have 3 months after birth to claim it, just make sure you claim tax credits straight away!