Welfare and financial support

There’s a range of funding available to help pay toward the cost of raising a family. Some is available to everyone, regardless of circumstances and how much you earn. Some funding is only available to certain families and depends on the family situation and income. 

Most of the financial entitlements can only be claimed when your child is born, but you may be able to get some money before the baby arrives – don’t miss out. You can find out more on this page. 

Explore the financial support you can get through welfare benefits and grants based on your circumstances on the Turn2us website.

Sure Start maternity grant 

This is a payment of £500 to help toward the costs of having a child. You usually qualify for the grant if: 

• You have no other children – unless you’re expecting a multiple birth (eg twins) 

• You receive certain benefits 

If you’ve become responsible for a child who is under one year old (eg through adoption, residence order or appointed as guardian), you may also be able to claim. 

You don’t have to pay the grant back and it won’t affect your other benefits or tax credits. If you’re expecting a multiple birth you may still be entitled to claim, even if you already have a child. 

Claim the grant between 11 weeks from your due date and three months after the birth by printing off, completing and returning the SSMG claim form. 

You’ll need to get a health professional (a doctor or midwife) to sign the form before you return it. 

Healthy Start  

If you’re more than ten weeks pregnant or have a child under four, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. 

If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. We’ll add your benefit onto this card every four weeks. 

You can use your card to buy: 

• Plain liquid cow’s milk 

• Fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables 

• Fresh, dried, and tinned pulses 

• Infant formula milk based on cow’s milk 

You can also use your card to collect: 

• Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding 

• Vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to four years old 

Visit the Healthy Start website for more information, or ask your midwife or health visitor.