Martin Lewis explains how new parents could claim £500 free cash

MARTIN Lewis has explained how new parents on benefits can get help to boost their income.

Free cash payments worth up to £500 are available to help mums and dads with a newborn.

GettyA maternity grant can help boost your income when having a baby[/caption]

The money saving expert has highlighted the extra help in a huge new guide on how to save money amid the cost of living crisis.

Shared in the Money Saving Expert newsletter, Martin said they had compiled the guide with “tips to cut back, to be thrifty, on little-known support and more”.

It comes amid a rising cost of living from energy bills and council tax to food and fuel.

Martin warned that “we will see a material drop in the standard of living for most on low to middle incomes” and for some, there was no way to cut their expenditure below income.

One crucial tip among others, is explaining how new parents on benefits – or those about to welcome a newborn – can get £500 free cash.

It’s a one-off payment designed to help those on the lowest incomes known as a Sure Start Maternity Grant.

The money doesn’t need to be repaid and you might get more if you have twins or triplets.

The money is available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and there is a similar scheme in Scotland offering £606.

Having a baby can pile the pressure on finances, so the extra help could ease the pain.

This grant is available mainly to first-time parent and you won’t get it if you already have kids under the age of 16, with some exceptions.

Who is eligible for the £500 maternity grant?

You usually qualify for the Sure Start Maternity Grant if you’re pregnant with your first child or are expecting a multiple birth (such as twins) and have children already.

Either you or your partner must also be receiving any of the below benefits:

Income Supportincome-based Jobseeker’s Allowanceincome-related Employment and Support AllowancePension CreditChild Tax CreditWorking Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability elementUniversal CreditSupport for Mortgage Interest loan, in some cases

Your income, or the amount you get of any of these payments or benefits, doesn’t matter but there are also exceptions to these rules.

For example, you could be eligible for the grant even if you already have children under the age of 16.

But the child that you’re caring for must be someone else’s (but not your partner’s) and the child was over 12 months old when the arrangement started.

You could also get the cash payment if you’re adopting a child or becoming a surrogate parent.

How do I apply for the £500 maternity grant?

To apply for the grant, you’ll need to fill in the Sure Start Maternity Grant (SF100) claim form or if you live in Northern Ireland, you can download a claim form from nidirect.

The grant must be claimed within 11 weeks of the baby’s due date or within six months after the baby’s birth.

If you’re becoming responsible for a child, you must claim within six months of this happening.

A health professional, such as a doctor or midwife, must also sign your claim form.

Then post it to “Freepost DWP SSMG” – you don’t need a postcode or stamp – or take it to your local Jobcentre Plus.

If you need help with your claim, contact the Sure Start Maternity Grant helpline on 0800 169 0140 or contact Jobcentre Plus.

You’ll get a letter telling you if your claim was successful or not, and payment will be made to the same account where you usually get your benefit payments.

Martin has also explained how parents can £1,000s towards childcare costs – and thousands of families are missing out.

Meanwhile new parents will also see benefits rise from today, including child benefit – here’s how much more they’ll get.