The Social Fund Maternity and Funeral Expenses (General) and Social Security (Claims and Payments) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2023 - screening
Date published:
Sure Start Maternity Grants (SSMG) help with costs of a new baby, usually payable only when there are no other children aged under 16 in the household. Entitlement to an SSMG is dependent on being in receipt of a “qualifying benefit”, such as income support, a child or working tax credit.
An Upper Tribunal (UT) judgment in England ruled that a SSMG should be paid to a refugee in circumstances where they are having their first child in the UK despite having another child aged under 16 in their household who was born before arriving in the UK. The judge ruled that denying a SSMG to those who had “pre-flight” children was a clear breach of human rights law.
Exisiting/Revised/New: Revised
Date of Screening: 31/05/2023
Screening Outcome - Full EQIA recommended: No