A new financial support initiative could provide eligible new mums with up to £1,000 to help cover the costs associated with raising their first child. Known as the Sure Start Maternity Grant, the benefit is designed to ease the financial pressures during a pivotal time in a family’s life.
The grant is primarily available for those expecting their first child. However, the rules also extend to parents who are expecting multiple births, such as twins, if they already have children under the age of 16. Applicants must claim the grant within a specific timeframe – either within 11 weeks of the baby’s due date or within 3 months after the baby’s birth. Importantly, the grant does not require repayment and will not affect an individual’s other benefits or tax credits.
