Sure Start Maternity Grant

[Izzy]

I know some of you on here have mentioned it before so i was hoping one of you could help me.

I was on the phone to the Inland Revenue last week and they couldnt give me a straight answer!

I work full time and my gross annual salary is £11800, does that mean i'm able to claim the grant?

Hope someone knows!

Izzyx

 

[Vicki83]

I didn't think you could get it if you were in full time employment?

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/sb16/ssmg/ssmg_1.asp

 

No hun you can't if you are working.

You are eligible for a Sure Start Maternity Grant if you or your partner are getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit, Working Tax Credit where a disability or severe disability element is included in the award or Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element

I couldn't qualify before I had Damien, but after I had him we got the higher rate of Child Tax Credits so we claimed and got it afterwards, but that was because I don't work. With you and you OH both working I don't htink you will get it hun xx

 

[Izzy]

Ohh thats annoying (

It was this bit which confused me "Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element" I thought my low income may have been covered by it.

Izzyx

 

[Izzy]

Actually.... does that mean i may be able to claim it after the baby's born, sami?

Will they automatically work it out when i send off for tax credits or will i have to apply for the grant too?

Izzyx

 

[hayley]

Do you get any help at all if both parents work full time??? how about towards nursery fee's.. i thought they offer you help with nurseys fee's to help you back to work after your maternity leave????

I don't understand any of it. How do you claim family allowance? how much is it and it it paid monthoy or weekly?

x

 

[Vicki83]

I am just totally confused as to what i'll get once the wee one's here, and i'm into my 2nd month of maternity leave. Do i get no money whatsoever or do i get something from goverment?

 

[nikki1306]

Hi hun,after the baby is born and you start claiming tax credits,if you are awarded more than £1096 a year in child tax credit you will be entitled to a surestart maternity grant. You will need to apply for it yourself and you have until the baby is 3 months old to do so xx

 

[hayley]

is tax credit worked out on your wage? if so does anyone know what the limit is you can earn to get it.

x

 

[nikki1306]

I think it's 15,000 a year or less to claim working tax credit,i am sure that's what i was told xx

 

[Izzy]

I think it's 15,000 a year or less to claim working tax credit,i am sure that's what i was told xx

thanks nikki, hopefully i'll qualify then - depending on whether i am considered a couple or single parent (me and my OH dont live together yet)

Izzyx

 

Ah that's different then Izzy if you don't live together. Will you when the baby is born?? If you don't live at the same address you are classed as single.

If you get Tax Credits for the baby before OH moves in with you then you should be entitled to the sure start grant from remembering what we got. When OH moves in with you though you'll have to let tax credits know straight away to change it. You''ll probably get alot more money on tax credits till OH moves in.

 

[Izzy]

Thanks sami, i thought it would make some difference.

MY OH has bought a house, but i won't be living with him until about December, which means roughly 3 months of claiming from just my wage. I'll defo try get the grant then, it would help me a lot!!

I live with my parents at the mo, but thankfully the inland revenue said my parents wages won't affect my benefits.

Izzyx

 

[violet-glow]

I know this has been asked before and I should have written it down when I saw it .....

whats the address to send your maternity grant form off to???

 

[nikki1306]

Here hun

Department Of Social Security
Benefits Agency
Bowback House
299 Silbury Boulevard
Central Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes
MK9 1ZA

 

[hananhmiller]

Are you on working tax credits? On that income I would apply for it. Then once the baby is born, you will get the higher rate of child tax credit. Then apply for the maternity grant. You will get it once you are on the child tax credit. I did that with my first child and got a payment of £500 within 3 weeks of baby being born. Midwife fills out her bit of form once you have had baby.

Hannah XXX

 

[violet-glow]

Cheers nikki xx

**writes it down** hehe

 

[nikki1306]

No worries hun,can't wait to get mine and go shopping xx

 

[mummykay]

im all shopped out for baby, im gonna shop for meeeeeeeeeeee

 

[Izzy]

Excellent, thats put my mind at rest, thanks for the info hannah

can't wait to get it now!

izzyx