Sure Start Maternity Grant help

tomhann187_2

I'm expecting our first baby and am trying to get all of the finances in order.

I'm a mature student so our joint household income is £14,000; we also get Working Tax Credits.

I have been looking at the eligibility for the Sure Start Maternity Grant and was hoping someone could clarify if we'll receive it or not. In accordance with changes coming into force in April 2011, you can now only claim for your first child. However, the eligibility guidelines say you are entitled to claim if you receive Child Tax credit at a rate higher than the family element. This is quite confusing, as you can now only claim for your first child so clearly you'll not yet be receiving Child Tax credit. Am I missing something?!

Working Tax credit is the only benefit we receive. I do not work and my partner works 39 hours p/w. If anyone could clarify if we're entitled or not that would be fab!

Thanks in advance

only_mee

You can claim after the child is born, upto 3 months iirc.
Hopefully the tax credit people wont take that long to sort your claim.

nottslass_2

As only_mee posted You need to get your child benefit and tax credit claim in ASAP after baby has arrived.

Remember, If by any chance Tax credits delay processing your claim resulting in Sure start turning down your application because you missed the 3 month deadline, you can appeal. To help with this remember to keep notes on what dates you registered baby,put in your claim for tax credits etc - this will help your case by showing the delay in claiming wasn't your fault.

tomhann187_2

Thanks for the replies. Based on our income, does anyone know if I'll receive Child Tax credit at a rate higher than the family element? I've done the online calculators on entitledto and HMRC as though we have a baby but neither break down the entitlement so I can see the individual elements.

Tigsteroonie

Unless they've changed the rules this year, yes you will get CTC at "a rate higher than the family element" because there is an additional amount for a child's first year (the baby element).

ETA. I now know that this is not the case - the baby element is being removed. This has been pointed out to me. So no need for anybody else to put me right

The maternity grant is designed so that it pays out in advance of the baby's arrival if you are receiving certain benefits (eg income-based JSA); or afterwards if not (through the CTC entitlement).

tomhann187_2

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

Unless they've changed the rules this year, yes you will get CTC at "a rate higher than the family element" because there is an additional amount for a child's first year (the baby element).

The maternity grant is designed so that it pays out in advance of the baby's arrival if you are receiving certain benefits (eg income-based JSA); or afterwards if not (through the CTC entitlement).

Thanks for the reply. Sadly, they're removing the baby element ...

Tigsteroonie

tomhann187 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Sadly, they're removing the baby element ...

Sorry Shows I should have googled before writing.

But one thing I would say - apply for things like this (SSMG) anyway. The worst that can happen is that they say "no"; your circumstances might be such that they say "yes". Nothing ventured and all that!

nottslass_2

tomhann187 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. Sadly, they're removing the baby element ...

Think you may be getting confused re the family and baby elements....

The Basic Child tax credit Family element rate is £545 per year (per child)

There was an additional £10 per week payable in baby's first year but this is now ceased.

If your income means that you are entitled to more than then basic family element (£545 per year) you should be able to claim the SSMG.


After your baby is born, your iscome at 14k will mean that you are entitled to More than the basic family eliment of £545 (up to £2.5 k)and you will therefore be eligable to claim the SSMG.

BUT remember this is only after you've actually given birth and subsiquently claimed your CTC (daft because you probably need the money for baby stuff)

tomhann187_2

nottslass wrote: »

Think you may be getting confused re the family and baby elements....

The Basic Child tax credit Family element rate is £545 per year (per child)

There was an additional £10 per week payable in baby's first year but this is now ceased.

If your income means that you are entitled to more than then basic family element (£545 per year) you should be able to claim the SSMG.


After your baby is born, your iscome at 14k will mean that you are entitled to More than the basic family eliment of £545 (up to £2.5 k)and you will therefore be eligable to claim the SSMG.

BUT remember this is only after you've actually given birth and subsiquently claimed your CTC (daft because you probably need the money for baby stuff)

Fabulous! Thanks for clearing this up - it's a bit of a minefield!

Agreed that it's a bit stupid giving it AFTER baby is born but hey ho the money will still come in useful!

clairec79

If your tax credits haven't come through in time but you have applied there is a box on the mat grant form to say you have applied for tax credits and are expecting to receive more than the basic.

If you tick that and return the form within the 3 months they *should* still pay out the grant form and just check that the tax credits are right when they are awarded and then pay even if outside the three months

Just checked and Working Tax credits is one of the qualifying benefits - so as you said you and your partner get WTC currently you can apply from when you are 29 weeks

sharkeybabe

I sent mine away after bubs was born, but if I remember correctly there is a bit you can put your Due Date on the form and then get your midwife/consultant to sign it you can sent it in before your baby is born. I am still waiting on all my benefits and bubs is now 3 weeks old. Make sure that you claim for everything as soon as possible as I have been told there is a 6-8 week backlog on claims - this is putting my DH and I in a tight financial situation at the moment so be prepared, I wish we had been. HTH