CHILDREN are a joy, but they can put a huge amount of extra pressure on family budgets.
From paying for childcare costs to buying extra food in the weekly shop, kids certainly aren’t cheap.
However, parents claiming Universal Credit and other benefits can get extra support through a whole range of freebies and perks – some of which you may never have even heard of.
This additional cash can be a huge relief to struggling families.
Here is what is available…
You could qualify for the Sure Start Maternity grant if you’re claiming benefits and expecting your first child.
You can also qualify if you have children already and are expecting twins or triplets.
It’s a one-off payment worth £500 to help with the cost of having a child.
New parents can claim the grant within 11 weeks of the baby’s due date or up to six months after the baby is born.
You’ll need to print out and fill in the Sure Start Maternity Grant (SF100) claim form.
A health professional such as a doctor or midwife must also sign it before you post it – you can send it for free to: Freepost DWP SSMG.
New or expectant parents can get up to £442 worth of free food a year through the Healthy Start scheme.
Anyone more than 10 weeks pregnant or with a child under four years old and on benefits can apply online or via email.
Under the scheme, you are issued with a card which you can use in supermarkets and retailers.
You can only use the card to buy certain products such as cow’s milk, fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables and tinned pulses.
The full list of benefits qualifying you for the scheme is:
You can also apply for the scheme if you are under 18 and not on any benefits.
You can find out more about the scheme in our full guide.
You might be able to get help with some of your childcare costs if you claim Universal Credit.
You can get 85% of your expenses paid each month up to a maximum of £1,014 for one child or £1,739 for two or more kids.
You used to have to pay childcare costs yourself up front and then claim the money back through Universal Credit.
But now, some Universal Credit claimants can get it covered without having to fork out first after a change to rules following The Sun’s Make Universal Credit Work campaign.
To get the help you’ll need to make a claim via your Universal Credit online account.
You’ll need to be working – and your partner if you live with them – or have a job offer, but it doesn’t matter how many hours you or your partner work.
In England, children at a state school in reception, year 1 or year 2 are entitled to free school meals regardless of their household income.
However, if you’re claiming certain benefits, including Universal Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) and Child Tax Credits, you can get free school meals for older children too.
How you apply depends on your personal circumstances – some people may be able to via their local council, while others might have to speak to their children’s school directly.
Type your postcode into the Government’s website to see who to contact and how to apply at gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals.
The exact amount you’ll get depends on where you live, but the help is worth around £460 on average per child per year, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
If you’re eligible for free school meals, you may also get similar help during school holidays including Christmas and Easter, as well as half terms.
Until September 2024, the Department of Work and Pensions is providing more funding through the Household Support Fund (HSF).
This support is distributed by local councils to households in need.
The exact criteria will vary but often the help is restricted to people claiming benefits.
And parents may qualify for extra.
For example, Bracknell Forest Council in Berkshire has revealed it is injecting £555,468 into the community.
The council is offering vouchers to those eligible to ease the burden with energy, food and other essential costs.
And parents can also be eligible for a one-off £105 payment per child between now and September 2024.
To qualify, applicants must have qualifying benefits and their child must meet one of the following criteria:
Contact your local council to find out how the criteria to qualify for the Household Support Fund and see what’s available.
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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