Sure Start Maternity Grant: Rates and Rules for 2026/27
The Sure Start Maternity Grant provides a £500 one-off, tax-free lump sum to help low-income families in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland with the costs of a new baby. This payment does not have to be paid back and will not lower your monthly benefit payments.
To qualify under DWP regulations, you or your partner must receive at least one qualifying benefit. These include Universal Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, or Child Tax Credit.
Generally, you can only claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant if the new arrival is your first child, or if you are expecting a multiple birth (such as twins or triplets). Limited exceptions apply if you have taken on responsibility for a child under 12 months through adoption or a legal caring arrangement.
Comparing UK Maternity Grants Across Devolved Nations
Financial assistance for new parents varies depending on where you live in the United Kingdom. While DWP manages payments in England and Wales, Social Security Scotland delivers higher benefit rates for residents in Scotland.
| Grant Name | Region | 2026/27 Grant Amount | Main Eligibility Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sure Start Maternity Grant | England, Wales, NI | £500 | First child only (unless twins), plus qualifying DWP benefit. |
| Pregnancy & Baby Payment | Scotland | £754.65 (1st child) £377.35 (subsequent) | Scottish resident on qualifying Scottish or DWP benefit. |
| Healthy Start Allowance | England, Wales, NI | £4.25 to £8.50 weekly card top-up | Pregnant or child under 4 on low-income benefits. |
| Best Start Foods | Scotland | £5.30 to £10.60 weekly payment card | Pregnant or child under 3 on low-income benefits. |
Scottish parents benefit from Social Security Scotland rules, which allow parents to receive the £377.35 rate for second and subsequent children, whereas the DWP Sure Start grant gives £0 for second children unless you give birth to twins.
Deadlines and Application Forms: How to Avoid Missing Out
Timing is critical when submitting a claim for a maternity grant. You can apply for the Sure Start Maternity Grant from 11 weeks before your expected week of childbirth until 6 months after the child is born.
Pro Tip: Do not delay your application while waiting for birth certificates. DWP requires form SF100 to be signed by a health professional (such as a midwife or GP). Ask your midwife to sign the health professional statement at your 28-week or 34-week antenatal appointment.
If you live in Scotland, the Pregnancy and Baby Payment window opens at the 24th week of pregnancy and remains open until the baby turns 6 months old. Claims submitted after the strict deadline will be rejected by DWP or Social Security Scotland without an exceptional reason.
Additional Emergency Financial Help for New Parents
If you do not qualify for the main maternity grants because you fall slightly above the benefit threshold, local authority support schemes can help bridge the gap. You can apply for local assistance through the Household Support Fund managed by your city or county council.
Local councils offer emergency support for essential baby equipment like cots, prams, and warm clothing. Furthermore, independent charities such as Baby Basics, First Days Children's Charity, and the Baby Bank Network distribute essential baby bundles containing nappies, formula, and Moses baskets without requiring you to be on benefits.
If you face immediate hardship while waiting for your first Universal Credit payment after taking maternity leave, you can request an advance payment or apply for emergency cash support through your local council's welfare assistance team.
Checking Your Entitlement with Official Tools
Because benefit thresholds and uprating amounts change each tax year, you should always check your household entitlement using an online benefits calculator. Raising a newborn changes your family element calculations and can make you newly eligible for support you previously missed.
Remember to notify HMRC or DWP immediately after the birth of your child. Registering your newborn ensures that Child Benefit, Universal Credit child elements, and maternity grant decisions are calculated correctly and paid without administrative delay.