Sure Start maternity grant - Pregnancy

24/11/2006 at 18:01

I have the form in front of me so i thought i'd let you know what they say you have to be getting if you want to apply!

You may be able to get a sure start maternity grant if;
you or you partner are getting;
* income support
* income-cased jobseekers allowence
* Pension credit (??)
* working tax credit which includes a disability or severe disability element
* Child tax credit at a rate higher than the family element. From April 2006-2007 this means a child tax credit rate of £548 a year or more, or £1096 a year or more if you have a baby under one. So if you get more than £10.54, or £21.08 a week or more for CTC then you can apply.
Hope this helps some of you who were unsure weither or not you could apply! You cannot claim earlier than the 29th week of pregnancy and not after your baby is 3 months old.

Louise xx

caroline hebditch

24/01/2007 at 00:11

I got the sure start maternity grant when i had my 1st...only just qualified for it and will be claiming with this baby too as im 12 weeks today and about to be a single mum. You get £500 to help with the costs of having a baby and you dont pay it back. It also depends on your income and savings but even if your not sure its definately worth filling in a form. You can get the form from your local job centre.

bonkersssss

25/01/2007 at 13:52

thats good, i am not employed but i am also not claiming job seekers allowance i have no savings i will apply for it

Claza P

25/01/2007 at 22:18

I got it with my first baby as my hubby was not working at the time. I did not think I would get it for my 2nd baby as my hubby was working. I thought I would fill out the form anyway, it`s worth trying, the worst they can say is no. I got it the second time round also which I did not think I would get,so give it a try. Think you have to wait till your 30 weeks to apply though, unless that has changed.

Mary-Ellen Freshwater

09/06/2007 at 23:47

Hi just thought i'd post the new info for the Sure Start Maternity Grant as the amounts of Child Tax Credit you need to be entitled to it has now changed.
This info is on the new form, printed on 9th june 07

it now says.....

you may be able to get the sure start maternity grant if...
.you ar your partner are getting
-Income Support
-Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or
-Pension Credit, or
-Working Tax Credit which includes a disability or severe disability element, or
-Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element
From April 2007 to April 2008 this means a rate of £546 a year or more, or £1,091 a year or more if you have a baby under one. These figures are for a whole year and will be less for part-years.

Hope this helps as they have reduced the amount of Child Tax Cred you need to be entitled
Mary-Ellen and 30w 6d bump

Lynne Reid

11/06/2007 at 19:03

I applied for this at 29weeks which was almost 3 weeks ago and still not heard anything back and same with my income support i have been unable to work and know i am intilted to it but have been 6weeks without any money i guess only nice thing my mother in law has done has feed me but she is demanding now i pay rent from anything i get does anyone know if i am intilited to help paying her and has anyone has experence with the long time it takes for income support to be put thru?

bonkersssss

11/06/2007 at 19:22

lynne i finally got income support at £46.00 a week (yes really that little) i had to wait 2 weeks from the interview to get it and hopefully should recieve my first payment into my account tomorrow. I have the sure start form but have to get midwife to sign it, but as i am now on income support it shouldnt take too long.

I cant believe that i really do get this minimal amount to live off, lukily my mum pays my mortgage and bills for me at the moment but ex still giving me nothing but hassle. I have 7 weeks left to baby coming and hope that i will get a bit more when she arrives.
have you phoned the job centre? it was them that dealt with my income support.

kel xxx

Lynne Reid

11/06/2007 at 19:30

i have phoned them but they said it takes time and keep saying to phone back in 12days

Mary-Ellen Freshwater

11/06/2007 at 20:16

Lynne - keep hasseling them they will sort it out quicker just to stop you ringing, if you have a local citizens advice near you go see them and get them to help chase it up too, sounds to me like they're just fobbing you off so they don't have to deal with it but you should get what your entitled to so keep on at them.

Lynne Reid

12/06/2007 at 10:10

thanks for advice sadly thats not in my nature but will try thanks

Claza P

12/06/2007 at 21:42

What is the entitlement if you have 2 kids as I do, with the amount of child tax credit you get a week?

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