Sure Start Maternity Grant
A one-off payment to help with the costs of having a child.
Last updated: 5 September 2026
What it is about
The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment to help with the costs of having a child. You do not have to pay it back, and it will not affect your other benefits or tax credits.
What is involved
To qualify, you must be receiving certain benefits (such as Universal Credit or Income Support).
Additionally, you typically only qualify if you're expecting your first child, or if you're expecting a multiple birth (such as twins) and have children already.
Timeframes
You can claim the grant from 11 weeks before the week your baby is due.
The absolute latest you can claim is 6 months after your baby is born. We set your milestone for exactly this date so you don't miss the window.
What you benefit from
The grant is a one-off payment of £500. If you already have children and are having twins, you can get £500; if you are having triplets, you can get £1,000.