Benefits for parents
Help from the benefits system for parents and carers of children and young people under 18
Featured Articles
read more on Brexit – what happens next? Brexit – what happens next?
What is the possible impact of Brexit on family friendly employment rights?
read more on Childcare costs and Working Tax Credit Childcare costs and Working Tax Credit
Families paying for childcare may be able to help with the costs in Working Tax Credit (WTC). This is called the childcare element of WTC.
All Articles
read more on Coronavirus (COVID-19) – What financial support is there for working families? Coronavirus (COVID-19) – What financial support is there for working families?
We have created a quick guide of benefits you might be able to claim if your income changes as a result of Coronavirus.
read more on Brexit – what happens next? Brexit – what happens next?
What is the possible impact of Brexit on family friendly employment rights?
read more on Sure Start Maternity Grant Sure Start Maternity Grant
Information on Sure Start Maternity Grant, covering who may be able to get it, how much it is and how to claim it.
read more on Child Benefit Child Benefit
Child Benefit is a benefit for people responsible for dependent children. Most families with children can claim Child Benefit.
read more on Rates of tax credits, income thresholds and withdrawal rates Rates of tax credits, income thresholds and withdrawal rates
Current rates of Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, additional elements and income thresholds
read more on Tax credits – if you use childcare vouchers Tax credits – if you use childcare vouchers
Information on tax credit payments for childcare if you use Childcare Vouchers.
read more on A Guide to Benefits if you are under 16 and having a baby A Guide to Benefits if you are under 16 and having a baby
Information on benefits you may be able to claim if you are under 16 and have a baby, including who can claim benefits for you and where to get more advice.
read more on A Guide to Benefits if you are under 18 and having a baby A Guide to Benefits if you are under 18 and having a baby
The document contains information on benefits that you may be able to claim if you are aged 16 or 17 and you have a baby, including your rights if you are working or at school or college.
read more on What can I claim when I have a child? What can I claim when I have a child?
If you have had a baby or you are responsible for children, it can be confusing to work out what you are entitled to.
read more on Pregnancy and maternity for students: a guide to finance and benefits Pregnancy and maternity for students: a guide to finance and benefits
This article is about students in higher education and looks at the rules for student finance in England. Finding out that you are pregnant when you are studying can be a daunting prospect but most universities have student support services and are able to offer advice about your options for deferring studies or making special […]
read more on What if I need further advice? What if I need further advice?
Information on where you can get more advice on benefits or tax credits.
read more on What can I claim if I am out of work? What can I claim if I am out of work?
Information on the benefits you might be able to claim if you are out of work.
read more on What can I claim if I am over 60 or have a partner over 60? What can I claim if I am over 60 or have a partner over 60?
Information on the benefits you might be able to claim if you or your partner are aged over 60.
read more on Benefits you can claim if you are not working or only working a few hours a week Benefits you can claim if you are not working or only working a few hours a week
What can you claim if you are not working or only working a few hours a week?
read more on Can I claim benefits if I take parental leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, parental bereavement leave or shared parental leave? Can I claim benefits if I take parental leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, parental bereavement leave or shared parental leave?
There are many ways that parents can take time off work; this could be for maternity leave, shared parental leave or unpaid parental leave. If you are taking leave and your pay is reduced, you should check whether there are any benefits you may be eligible for. This article provides a guide to what benefits […]
read more on Jobseeker’s Allowance Jobseeker’s Allowance
Information on Jobseeker's Allowance, covering who may be able to claim.
read more on Who can claim Income Support? Who can claim Income Support?
Information on who might be able to claim Income Support.
read more on Tax credits Tax credits
Information on tax credits, covering who may be able to get Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit.
read more on Universal Credit Universal Credit
Information on Universal Credit which replaces many existing benefits and tax credits, initially this benefit is for new claimants only.
read more on Working Tax Credit Working Tax Credit
An overview of Working Tax Credit
read more on Childcare costs and Working Tax Credit Childcare costs and Working Tax Credit
Families paying for childcare may be able to help with the costs in Working Tax Credit (WTC). This is called the childcare element of WTC.
read more on Child Tax Credit Child Tax Credit
Information on Child Tax Credit, covering who may be able to claim and the ages of children you can claim for.
read more on Housing Benefit Housing Benefit
Information on Housing Benefit, covering who can claim and where you can get more advice.
read more on What can I claim if I am too sick to work? What can I claim if I am too sick to work?
Information on when you might be able to claim Statutory Sick Pay.
read more on Financial help for families Financial help for families
Financial help for families depends on whether or not you or your partner works as well as many other conditions. Use our table of benefits to check what you may be able to claim in different circumstances.
read more on Benefit rates and earnings limits Benefit rates and earnings limits
Rates of benefits and earning limits
read more on What happens to my tax credits or Universal Credit if I have more than two children? What happens to my tax credits or Universal Credit if I have more than two children?
If you are responsible for a child born on or after 6 April 2017, and you get Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit for two or more other children, you may not get any extra for that child. This only affects the child element of Child Tax Credit or Universal Credit. It doesn't affect Child Benefit, or extra amounts for disabled children or childcare.
read more on Renewing your tax credits Renewing your tax credits
From 6th April onwards, HMRC send out a pack to anyone who has had a tax credit award in the tax year which has just ended – eg 2020/21 this year. It’s really important to look carefully at the information you receive. Even if you have stopped getting tax credits, you still need to check […]
read more on What can I claim if I am not a British citizen or I have recently come to the UK? What can I claim if I am not a British citizen or I have recently come to the UK?
Information on restrictions on claiming benefits if you have come to the UK from abroad.
read more on How your tax credits are worked out How your tax credits are worked out
Tax credits are worked out by adding up all the elements (see below) which apply to you. You may be entitled to elements of Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit or both.
read more on Parents of young children: do I have to look for work on benefits? Can I give up work and claim benefits? Parents of young children: do I have to look for work on benefits? Can I give up work and claim benefits?
If you are a parent claiming Income Support or Universal credit you will probably be required to take some action to prepare you for returning to work. How much you will be required to do will depend on your circumstances.
read more on Healthy Start vouchers Healthy Start vouchers
Information on Healthy Start vouchers, covering who can claim and what you can get with the vouchers.
read more on National Insurance credits for parents and carers National Insurance credits for parents and carers
Information on getting national insurance credits if you get Child Benefit for a child under 12, if you are caring for a disabled person or if you are a relative caring for a child.
read more on Council Tax Reduction – Help with the council tax Council Tax Reduction – Help with the council tax
Information on getting help to pay your council tax, covering who may be able to get help and where to get more advice.
read more on Tax credits: changes of circumstances Tax credits: changes of circumstances
Information on the changes in your life that you need to report to HMRC if you are claiming Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit.