No MA/SMP for second child?

[Dana2011]

Hi ladies,

I went to jobcenter this afternoon to enquire about MA/SMP. and was told that a new policy has been introduced: MA/SMP is only available for your first baby. I was really surprised about what the staff told me. Is it true? I searched online but could not find any clue about it.
Is it a joke?! Does anybody knew about it? Please let me know, thanks a lot.

 

[_Vicky_]

NOOOO surely not - I know that the surestart grant of £500 for lower income families is now only available for the first child but surely not MA/SMP that just would be ridiculous!!!! *am googling my head off and can see no reference to it*

 

[Tasha]

No that isnt right, they must of thought you meant the sure start maternity grant

 

[Dana2011]

I just googled, and found a link from a forum, showing the same question.
it seems true!
just search 'no maternity grant for 2nd child'

 

[xxembobxx]

statutory maternity pay (SMP) and Maternity Allowance (MA) are different from the SureStart Maternity Grant.
I've not heard or read anywhere that SMP or MA is no longer available - and I've been checking my entitlement as I'm 3 months pregnant.

 

[xxembobxx]

I wouldn't be surprised if the JobCentre has got the information wrong though - I've seen all sorts of stories on here of people being given incorrect info when they went there for advice.