Sure Start Maternity Grant: £500
A one-off payment you don't pay back, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. You usually qualify if it's your first child (or a multiple birth) and you or your partner get Universal Credit or certain other benefits. Claim from 11 weeks before your due week until 6 months after the birth.
Healthy Start
Help to buy milk, fruit, vegetables and infant formula if you're on certain benefits (see help if you're not working or on a low income): £4.65 a week in pregnancy, £9.30 a week for a baby under 1, and £4.65 a week for children aged 1 to 4. It's paid onto a card.
Universal Credit childcare costs
If you're on Universal Credit and working, you can get back up to 85% of childcare costs, up to £1,071.09 a month for one child or £1,836.16 for two or more.
Junior ISA
Not a grant, but family and friends can save up to £9,000 a year tax-free for your child in a Junior ISA.
In Scotland, the Sure Start Maternity Grant is replaced by the Pregnancy and Baby Payment and Best Start Foods, which are paid by Social Security Scotland.
Ready to go?
Read everything above? Here's the official page to do it:
Claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant on GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)
Want the exact dates for your baby? Get your personal timeline: enter your due date or birthday and see every deadline in order.
Sources: GOV.UK: Sure Start Maternity Grant, NHS Healthy Start, GOV.UK: Universal Credit childcare, GOV.UK: Junior ISA, mygov.scot. Checked 28 October 2026.