DWP handing new mums free £1,000 and 'you don't have to pay it back'

A little-known Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefit for new mums is worth £1000. Mums can bag themselves £1000 in free cash through a little-known benefit in the form of the Sure Start Maternity Grant, the DWP has said.

And you don't have to pay it back, either. The DWP explains: "You could get a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child. This is known as a Sure Start Maternity Grant. If you live in Scotland you cannot get a Sure Start Maternity Grant. You can apply for a Pregnancy and Baby Payment instead.

"You usually qualify for the grant if both of the following apply: you’re expecting your first child, or you’re expecting a multiple birth (such as twins) and have children already or you or your partner already get certain benefits."

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing star causes uproar with remark about Chris McCausland on It Takes Two

READ MORE: I visited Sutton Coldfield’s first-ever Christmas market and there’s one stand-out reason to go

READ MORE Mechanic warns drivers over three tell-tale signs you're being ripped off at garage

The DWP went on and aslo added: "You must claim the grant within 11 weeks of the baby’s due date or within 6 months after the baby’s birth. You do not have to pay the grant back and it will not affect your other benefits or tax credits."

You might be able to get the grant if you’re having twins or triplets. How much you’ll get depends on the children you already have. The grant if you have twins is £500, while the grant if you have triplets is £1000. If you've already had twins, then the grant if you have another set is £0, and the grant if you have triplets after having twins is £500. If you've already had triplets, the grants for both if you have twins and if you have triplets is reduced to £0.

Usually, to get a Sure Start Maternity Grant you must have no other children under 16. You or your partner must also get one of these benefits: Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element or Universal Credit.