Surestart Maternity grant WTAF 😡

[Ffsakexx]

Hoping someone can help with some insight please. I have a pregnant 17 year old daughter who lives at home and is in fulltime education (please don't focus on the fact my 17dd is pregnant, i aint got time for that s**t 😉)
So we applied for SSMG (maternity grant) in her name when she's was 29wks and her application was declined because she wasn't receiving any benefits (side note she can't claim UC until baby is born because she is in fulltime education but if she wasn't in fte she could claim before baby's born). Anyhow I phoned them and they explained this and told me to claim on her behalf as she's my dependant and I still receive child benefit and UC for her and I can claim it on her behalf. Also as they didn't send the MATB1 form back the lady on the phone said to make a note on the form that it will be held on record on my daughters claim and to get it off her file.
I've now received another descision saying it was declined again because I have a son who is under 16 and there was also no proof of pregnancy (MATB1 form). I know you can only claim for 1 child per family but I'm not claiming for my child I'm claiming on behalf of my child for her only child which they told me to do. I'm pretty sure it's not 1 claim per household.
So my question is has anyone been in this situation and do you have any advice or know if my daughter will/wont receive the SSMG? I'm confused with it all. I'm currently paying for my daughter and everything the baby needs which is due anyday now until she can make her own UC claim. Thanks for any help

I'm sorry your going through this it sounds like such a head ache. I applied for the sure start grant (not yet heard back on a decision) and I know it says you cannot apply with another child under 16 in the house, Im guessing it's a automated system and they don't necessarily realise your situation / claiming on your daughters behalf and just noticed you had a son and declined. Maybe try call up the people you spoke to originally and ask if you should reapply without adding your sons information? I also know there is a part on the form you can write any additional information did you mention what you said above in that part?

I have no experience but could you wait and apply for the grant once the baby is born and your DD has claimed UC?

It sounds like it'll be a headache to do it before then.

Since they are due any day what’s the rush? She is best applying when the baby is born and only buying what you can afford for now. The costly items will have to wait until the baby is here if you can’t afford it.

I wrote all the relevant information in the box on the form but it's as if they didn't even read it.
That's what I'm going to do, once my dd applies for UC, get her to do the claim again and hopefully it works as its her first and only child even though another child under 16 lives in the same house (her brother) I'm just wondering is it limited to only 1 grant per household or 1 grant per family as in 1 child per set of parents???
I applied the day she turned 29wks but it takes around 4wks for a descision hence why she's nearly due now.
It's a good job she's been gifted things otherwise we'd be stuck as I can't afford the big things needed before baby arrives.
Thanks for all your advice

@Ffsakexxit’s a shame at 17 that she didn’t work around school and save up for those big bits. Before you moan at me for being judgmental it is exactly what I did as a similarly young mum. Having a child is a grown up decision that you shouldn’t be meeting the cost for.