Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Social Fund Maternity and Funeral Expenses (General) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3061) to add to those eligible for a Sure Start Maternity Grant: people awarded residence orders (adoption orders and parental orders were already included); prospective adopters with whom a child is placed pending adoption; those adopting under certain orders granted outside the British Islands; guardians; and a parent (not the mother) who has responsibility for the child concerned where the parents are not partners when a Sure Start Maternity Grant is claimed. It recasts the provision against double payment to reflect these changes.

These Regulations also make consequential and other amendments to the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987 (a) in relation to the prescribed time for claiming a Sure Start Maternity Grant; (b) to update the definition of “actual date of confinement” and “confinement”; and (c) to change the reference in the latter from 28 weeks to 24 for consistency with other legislation.

A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the private or voluntary sectors.