If you've had a baby or have children it can be confusing to work out what benefits you are entitled to.
If you're not already one of the 22 million people in the UK claiming some form of benefit, you might struggle to find the time to work out what financial support you could get, especially if you have children.
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In fact, many people often don't claim benefits as they believe they are not eligible or that they aren't worth claiming.
But if you're a parent there are a number of options available to you. Here's all you need to know about what benefits you may qualify for if you have a child.
Universal credit
Universal credit is a payment given by the UK government to help with your living costs. It was first announced back in 2010 and began its roll-out in 2013.
While new claimants are almost always only eligible for universal credit, there are still millions of people who are on the older legacy benefits that it replaced.
Universal credit is paid monthly and you are usually eligible to get it if you're on a low income, out of work or you cannot work. This includes if you have a child.
You could be able to get it if:
- you’re on a low income or out of work
- you’re 18 or over (there are some exceptions if you’re 16 to 17)
- you’re under State Pension age (or your partner is)
- you and your partner have £16,000 or less in savings between you
- you live in the UK
Here is the standard allowance per month as of October 6:
Single
Single under 25: £257.33
Single 25 or over: £324.84
Couple
Joint claimants both under 25: £403.93
Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £509.91
If you have one or two children, you’ll get an extra amount for each child.
If you have three or more children, you’ll get an extra amount for at least two children. You can only get an extra amount for more children if any of the following are true:
- your children were born before April 6, 2017
- you were already claiming for three or more children before April 6, 2017
Here's how much you get per child:
-
For your first child: £282.50 (born before April 6, 2017) or £237.08 (born on or after April 6, 2017)
-
For your second child and any other eligible children: £237.08 per child
-
If you have a disabled or severely disabled child: £128.89 or £402.41
If you need help with childcare costs: up to 85% of your costs (up to £646.35 for one child and £1,108.04 for 2 or more children)
To find out more about this go to the UK government website.
Child benefit
You get child benefit if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is either under 16, or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training.
It’s paid every four weeks and there’s no limit to how many children you can claim for.
The rates are £21.15 for the eldest or only child and £14 per child for each additional child.
You can find out more on how to claim child benefit here.
Money off your council tax
If your children are under the age of 18 and you don't live with another adult, you can apply for 25% off your council tax.
To claim, you'll have to apply through your local council. Find out how to do that here.
You might also be able to get a council tax reduction - also called council tax support - depending on where you live, your income, your dependants, savings and any benefits you already claim.
If you're on a low income and have more than one dependant, you may qualify for a 100% discount. Check how to apply for a reduction here.
Child maintenance
If you're a single parent, you may be able to claim child maintenance from the other parent to support your child.
In the UK, half a million families have an arrangement between themselves on how much one parent will fund the other. This is known as a family-based arrangement.
However, if this is not the case for you, you can apply to have a child maintenance arrangement set up for you. Find out more about that here.
Maternity pay and leave
When you take time off to have a baby you might be eligible for:
- Statutory maternity leave
- Statutory maternity pay
- paid time off for antenatal care
- extra help from the government
Statutory maternity leave is 52 weeks. It’s made up of ordinary maternity leave for the first 26 weeks and additional maternity leave for the last 26 weeks
You do not have to take 52 weeks but you must take two weeks’ leave after your baby is born (or four weeks if you work in a factory).
To check your eligibility for maternity pay and leave click here.
Paternity pay and leave
When you take time off because your partner’s having a baby, adopting a child or having a baby through a surrogacy arrangement you might be eligible for:
- One or two weeks’ paid paternity leave
- Paternity pay
- Shared parental leave and pay
The statutory weekly rate of paternity pay is £151.97, or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower).
Any money you get is paid in the same way as your wages, for example monthly or weekly. Tax and National Insurance will be deducted.
Find out more about paternity pay and leave here.
Other benefits
There are a range of other benefits that may be available to you. These include discounts on prescriptions, school uniforms and the warm home discount scheme.
