DWP giving away £500 to new parents if you match one of these 11 categories

Wales Online

18 hours ago

DWP giving away £500 to new parents if you match one of these 11 categories
The grant is for those who are expecting their first child or having twins or more, to help with financial costs
The scheme provides a one-off payment to those expecting their first child or multiples
(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto )
New mums in Wales and England could be eligible to receive up to £500 from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through the Sure Start Maternity Grant. This scheme provides a one-off payment to those expecting their first child or multiples, offering financial assistance without affecting any other benefits or tax credits claimed.
The grant may also be available to parents who already have children under a certain age, although the eligibility criteria are more stringent than for first-time parents.
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Who can apply for a Maternity Grant?
To qualify for the Sure Start Maternity Grant, you must not have any other children under the age of 16. Additionally, you must be claiming one of the following at the time you apply for the grant:
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Working Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Child Tax Credit
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
Income Support
income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
In some cases, you may still be eligible for the grant even if you have children under the age of 16, but you must meet one of the following criteria:
the child you're caring for is someone else's (but not your partner's) and the child was over 12 months old when the arrangement started
you're claiming for a family member who's under 16, or 16 to 19 and in certain types of education or training
you're expecting a multiple birth (such as twins)
you have refugee status, humanitarian protection or you've come to the UK from Afghanistan or Ukraine
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How much you could get from a Maternity Grant.
If you have one or more children under the age of 16 and none are the result of multiple births, you could receive £500 if you are having twins and £1,000 if you're having triplets.
Furthermore, if you've previously had twins who are still under the age of 16 and are now expecting triplets, you could receive £500.
However, if you've previously had both twins and triplets under the age of 16 and are now expecting twins again, you won't be eligible for any grant money.
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This rule also applies if you've previously had triplets who are still under 16 years of age and you're expecting triplets again.
All payments from the grant will be directly deposited into the account where you receive any benefits, pensions, or other allowances.
How to apply.
You must include proof of your pregnancy or childbirth with this application form. The completed form can then be posted to Freepost DWP SSMG - there's no need for a postcode or stamp to send this form.