Sure start maternity grant refusal

robshack

Can anyone shed any light on where we stand?

Our daughter was born on 24/10/07
I started getting income-based JSA on 9/11/07
I applied for a Sure Start Maternity Grant on 27/11/07
I got 2 weeks work starting on 10/12/07, which finished on 21/12/07
I received a letter dated 10/12/07 saying we are not entitled to a sure start maternity grant, but not explaining why not.
I wrote back requesting a reason for the refusal.
I got a letter back dated 2/1/08 saying that I was not entitled to a sure start grant because I was not receiving income-based JSA on 10/12/07.

Does this mean that, because I started a job on the day they made their decision, I'm not entitled to anything? It would seem normal to me to take the date of my application as the relevant period for the consideration of my circumstances.

In order to receive the grant, it would seem I have to stay on JSA until they have decided to award the grant?

Has anyone had experience of a similar situation? Or can anyone give any advice on what to do next? (I claimed JSA on 27/12/07 but haven't had a decision yet as to whether I will get it)

CIS

Can you apply via the tax credit route ?

robshack

I guess I can reapply but I haven't applied for tax credits yet (as I've just reapplied for JSA) and my daughter will be 3 months old on 24th January. I'm worried that time will run out before I can sort all the paperwork out. I know I should have sorted this out sooner but I thought I would be entitled to the Sure Start grant if I was receiving JSA.

willis999

re apply the same way you did 1st time, they prob didnt pay you as you was working, now your not and claiming jsa, you should be ok..

SeptemberBaby_2

Hi Rob

Here is the link for the form

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/claimforms/sf100_print.pdf

Print it out and post as soon as you can. There are 'waiting to hear' boxes to tick regarding the relevant benefits so send it off before the 24th even if you haven't heard about the JSA.

Congrats!

x