Sure Start Maternity Grant

.: What is it?

A lump sum payment (a grant which you do not have to pay back) to help buy things for a new baby.

.: Who gets it?

Pregnant women and new parents who are getting income-based JSA, Income Support, WFTC or Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC).

.: How much is it?

£300 for each baby. This means that all women getting one of the qualifying benefits above will get the full grant of £300.

.: How do I claim?

Claim using form SF100 (Sure Start) which you can get from your local Benefits Agency 'Social Security Agency (social security office) You can claim time from 11 weeks before the due date until three months after the birth. Part of the form will need to be completed by your midwife, GP or health visitor. This is to confirm when your baby is due or actually born, and that you have received advice about the health and welfare of yourself and your baby. If you can't get income-based JSA, Income Support, WFTC or DPTC until after your baby is born, claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant before your baby is three months old.

.: Maternity Benefits.......

• Maternity allowance (MA)
  • For women who have changed jobs during pregnancy and or
  • For women who have had periods of low earnings or unemployment during
  • For women who are self-employed.

.: What is it?

A weekly allowance for women who work just before or during their pregnancy but who can't get Statutory Maternity Pay. You may get Maternity Allowance if you are self-employed, if you stopped work or if you changed jobs during pregnancy.

.: Who gets it?

You can claim standard-rate Maternity Allowance if you have worked for at least 26 of the 66 weeks before the expected week of childbirth. You also have to have earned at least £72 per week during those weeks. You can also get it if you are self-employed and have paid 13 Class 2 National Insurance contributions or had a mixture of employed and self-employed work. You can claim variable-rate Maternity Allowance if you have worked for at least 26 weeks out of the 66 weeks before the expected week of childbirth.

You also have to have earned £30 or more a week on average but less than £72, for 13 weeks in a row during that 66 weeks. You can also claim this if you are self-employed and hold a small earnings exception certificate for National Insurance or have done a mixture of employed and self-employed work. The standard-rate Maternity Allowance (MA) is £62.20 a week for up to 18 weeks. The variable-rate MA is 90% of your average earnings for up to 18 weeks, up to a maximum of £62.20.

.: When is it paid?

Maternity Allowance is paid for up to 18 weeks, but only for weeks in which you are not working. The earliest it can start is 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth (EWC) and the latest it can start is the EWC. If you are employed or self-employed you can choose when to start your MA, but if you are unemployed your MA must start 11 weeks before your baby is due.

.: How do I claim?

The rules are complicated, so if you are not sure whether you qualify; make a claim. Your local Benefits Agency will work out whether or not you can get the benefit. You must claim within three months of giving birth or you may lose the benefit. Fill in form MA1 (available from your social security office or antenatal clinic) and send it to the Benefits Agency. You must also send your maternity certificate (form MAT B1), which you get from your GP or midwife; and, if you are employed, form SMP1 from your employer to show why you don't qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay. Send in form MA1 as soon as you are 26 weeks pregnant, you can always send the other forms later.

If you have not earned enough, have not worked for enough weeks or have not paid enough National Insurance contributions by the time you are 26 weeks pregnant, then you can decide to apply for MA later in your pregnancy. You should send off the MA1 form as soon as you have fulfilled all the qualifying conditions. Maternity Allowance is paid by a book of orders which you cash, or directly into your bank account.

If you are not entitled to MA,the Benefits Agency/Incapacity Benefits Branch will use the same claim form to check whether you might be entitled to Incapacity Benefit. Sometimes they forget, so if you do not hear from them about this, contact them.