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. Lots of people assume that they aren’t eligible for benefits or that it isn’t worth claiming, but you could be missing out on financial support. The main benefits that can be claimed by people who are responsible for children are summarised at the bottom of this page, with the links to separate detailed pages for the main benefits here:
• Child Benefit
• Universal Credit
• Child Tax Credit (only for people who have an existing Tax Credits claim)
• Income Support (only for people who have an existing Income Support claim)
• Housing Benefit (only for people who have an existing Housing Benefit claim)
• Council Tax Reduction
• Other Support
If you have recently had a baby or adopted a child please see our page on maternity pay and benefits.
If you are caring for a disabled child see benefits for parents and carers of disabled children.
If you are caring for a disabled adult see benefits for carers of disabled adults.
If you need help paying for childcare please see the childcare support section of our website.
See the following page if you need advice on whether you can claim benefits if you give up work to care for a young child.
An easy and quick way to check what benefits you might be entitled to is to use a benefits calculator.
Financial support if you’re responsible for a child
Child Benefit
You can get Child Benefit if you are responsible for bringing up a child who is under 16, or under 20 if they are in approved education or training. There is no limit to how many children you can claim for. Only one person can claim Child Benefit for a child. If the child lives with more than one parent or carer, you should decide who claims Child Benefit. If you cannot decide HMRC will make a decision for you. If you or your partner have an individual annual income of more than £60,000 (£50,000 prior to 6 April 2024) you may have to pay some of your Child Benefit back in tax. You can claim Child Benefit at the same time as other benefits. You can find out more about Child Benefit and how to claim here.
If you live in Scotland you may also be entitled to a Scottish Child Payment.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is the main benefit for people on a low income who are not already on other benefits or Tax Credits. You can receive Universal Credit if you are unemployed or working. If you are on other benefits or Tax Credits you should get further advice as you could end up worse off if you claim Universal Credit.
Universal Credit is usually a monthly payment to cover your living costs. How much you get will depend on your circumstances. It takes into account your whole household income and savings. You can’t get Universal Credit if you and/or a partner you live with have more than £16,000 in savings or other assets. Your Universal Credit payment is made up of a ‘basic allowance’ but you may get more money if you have children, pay for childcare, rent your home, have a disability or health condition, or if you are a carer or care for a disabled child.
However, your Universal Credit may be reduced because of the benefit cap, and you will not usually get extra Universal Credit for a third or subsequent child born on or after 6 April 2017.
If you are entitled to Universal Credit you may be able to claim help with childcare costs if you work.
Child Tax Credit
You can only make a claim for Child Tax Credit if you already have a Tax Credit claim, otherwise you will be told to claim Universal Credit instead.
If you already claim Child Tax Credit, you can add a new child to your claim. However, if you have a third or subsequent child born on or after 6 April 2017, you will usually not be able to claim extra Child Tax Credit for them: you should still let HMRC know about the birth.
If you are getting Working Tax Credit you may be able to claim help with the costs of childcare if you work. Also, if you do not currently qualify for Working Tax Credit, but start working enough hours to qualify, you can add Working Tax Credit to an existing Child Tax Credit claim.
Income Support
You cannot make a new claim for Income Support as it has been replaced by Universal Credit. If you try to make a new claim for Income Support you will be told to claim Universal Credit instead.
Housing Benefit
You cannot make a new claim for Housing Benefit unless you are over State Pension age or live in certain types of supported or temporary accommodation. If you already have an existing claim for Housing Benefit you can continue to get it when you have a child.
If you are renting and/or have service charges and you are not currently getting Housing Benefit, you may be able to claim help with housing costs through Universal Credit.
Housing Benefit may be reduced if the total amount of your benefits is higher than the benefit cap. However, the cap shouldn’t be applied if you are exempt, for example, if you get Working Tax Credit, or you, your partner or a child are on disability benefits.
Council Tax Reduction
If you are in England, Wales or Scotland, you may be able to get help with the Council Tax via council tax reduction. You are more likely to qualify for this help once you have a child. If you live in Northern Ireland, you should check whether you can get any help with the rates.
Other support
Sure Start Maternity Grant
If you have recently had your first baby or adopted a child and don’t have other children under 16, you may be able to claim a Sure Start Maternity Grant if you are on benefits including Tax Credits or Universal Credit. If you live in Scotland, you may be able to claim a Best Start Grant instead (payable for other children too, not just your first baby, and payable at other stages in a child’s life).
Healthy Start Scheme
You may be entitled to the Healthy Start scheme (Best Start foods in Scotland) if you are on benefits including Tax Credits or Universal Credit and you meet other conditions. This can help with the costs of certain items, including fruit, vegetables, milk, and infant formula.
Help with health costs
You may be eligible for help with health costs, such as prescriptions, glasses and dental treatment if you are on benefits, including Tax Credits and Universal Credit.
Free school meals
You may qualify for free school meals if you’re on benefits, including Universal Credit, however, if you are on Tax Credits, you’ll only qualify if you get Child Tax Credit, not Working Tax Credit.
Warm Homes Discount
You could get money off your electricity bill for winter under the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you get certain benefits or if you have a low income.
Benefit calculators and further advice
If you need advice about what you can claim if you are responsible for a child you can ring our helpline or contact us on our advice form.
To work out what benefits you might be entitled to you can use a benefits calculator.
You can also get further advice from Citizens Advice.
If you are a lone parent, you can contact Gingerbread or in Scotland One Parent Families Scotland.
If you are a carer, Carers UK may be able to help you. If you are an older parent or carer, you could contact Age UK.
If you need advice about benefits for families of disabled children, you can contact Contact helpline 0808 808 3555.
Challenging a benefits decision
If you have applied for any of the benefits listed above and you have been told that you are not entitled and you disagree, you can challenge it. To do so, you need to request a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the date of the decision. You can request it verbally over the phone by calling the number provided on the decision letter, however, it is always best to make a request in writing on the relevant form or your Universal Credit online account. If you’ve missed the deadline, it is still worth asking for a mandatory reconsideration as there are circumstances where you may be able to make an out of time request if you have good reasons for why you are late. For more detailed advice, contact the Citizens Advice.
This advice applies in England, Wales and Scotland. If you live in another part of the UK, the law may differ. Please call our helpline for more details. If you are in Northern Ireland you can visit the Labour Relations Agency or call their helpline Workplace Information Service on 03300 555 300.
If you have further questions and would like to contact our advice team please use our advice contact form below or call us.
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