Sure Start Maternity Grant: How to Claim Your £500 Payment in 2026/27

What Is the Sure Start Maternity Grant?

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment of £500 from the UK government to help with the costs of having a new baby. It's designed to help families on low incomes buy essential items like a pushchair, cot, nappies, and clothing.

The grant is tax-free and doesn't need to be repaid — it's yours to keep.

Who Qualifies?

To claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant, you must meet all of these conditions:

1. You're Receiving a Qualifying Benefit

You (or your partner) must be receiving one of the following:

•Universal Credit

•Income Support

•Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)

•Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

•Pension Credit

•Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element

•Working Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element

2. It's Your First Child (Usually)

The grant is normally only available for your first child. However, you can claim for subsequent children if:

•You're expecting a multiple birth (twins, triplets, etc.) — you get £500 per baby

•You don't have any children under 16 currently in your household (e.g., if your previous children are now 16+)

3. You've Had Health Professional Advice

You must have received advice about the health and welfare of the baby from a health professional (such as a midwife, health visitor, or GP). This advice is normally given at your routine antenatal appointments.

How to Claim

Step 1: Get the SF100 Form

Download form SF100 (Sure Start Maternity Grant) from GOV.UK or request a copy by calling 0800 169 0140.

Step 2: Complete the Form

You'll need to provide:

•Your personal details and National Insurance number

•Details of the qualifying benefit you're receiving

•Confirmation from your midwife, health visitor, or doctor (there's a section on the form for this)

Step 3: Submit Your Claim

Send the completed form to the address on the form. The claim window is:

•From 11 weeks before your due date (around week 29 of pregnancy)

•Up to 6 months after the birth (or adoption)

Important: Don't miss the deadline — claims received after 6 months from the birth cannot be accepted.

How Much Will You Receive?

•Single baby: £500

•Twins: £1,000 (£500 per baby)

•Triplets: £1,500 (£500 per baby)

The money is paid directly into your bank account, usually within a few weeks of your claim being processed.

Sure Start in Scotland

If you live in Scotland, the Sure Start Maternity Grant has been replaced by the Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment:

•First child: £707.25

•Subsequent children: £353.65

•Claimed through Social Security Scotland

Sure Start in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has its own Sure Start Maternity Grant with similar rules to England and Wales.

Other Financial Help for New Parents

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is just one source of support. You may also be entitled to:

•Child Benefit — £27.05/week for your first child, rising to £17.90/week for subsequent children. Use our Child Benefit Calculator to see your total entitlement including any High Income Child Benefit Charge

•Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance — up to 39 weeks of pay during your maternity leave. SMP is £194.32/week at the flat rate, and Maternity Allowance can be up to the same amount

•Universal Credit — if you're on a low income, you may receive additional payments once your baby is born, including a child element and possible housing support

•Healthy Start vouchers — free food vouchers worth £4.25/week for pregnant women and £8.50/week for children under 1 on qualifying benefits, to spend on milk, fruit, vegetables, and vitamins

•Free NHS prescriptions — all pregnant women and new mothers (up to 12 months after birth) get free prescriptions. Ask your midwife for a maternity exemption certificate

•Free NHS dental care — during pregnancy and for 12 months after birth

•Tax-Free Childcare — saves up to £2,000/year per child on nursery and childminder costs once you return to work

•Warm Home Discount — if you're on a low income, you may qualify for £150 off your electricity bill during winter

Getting a Maternity Exemption Certificate for Free Prescriptions

To claim your free prescriptions, ask your midwife or GP for a maternity exemption certificate (form FW8). This is issued free of charge and entitles you to free NHS prescriptions and dental care from the start of your pregnancy until 12 months after your due date — even if your baby arrives early or late.

How to Maximise Your Financial Support

Planning ahead can make a significant difference to your finances. Use our Financial Planning for Maternity Leave guide to create a budget, and check our guide on how much a baby costs for realistic first-year expenses. If you're unsure what maternity pay you'll receive, try our Maternity Pay Calculator for a week-by-week breakdown.

Related Guides

•Benefits During Maternity Leave — all the support you can claim

•Financial Planning for Maternity — budgeting for your baby

•How Much Does a Baby Cost? — realistic budgeting guide

•Maternity Pay Calculator — calculate your SMP week by week