Help with the costs of having a young family, including support with childcare.
Child Benefit
You can get child benefit payments if you are responsible for:
- a child under 16
- a child who is aged under 20 and is still in education.
There is no limit to how many children you can claim for, but only one parent is able to claim.
Guardian’s Allowance
You could get Guardian’s Allowance if you are bringing up a child whose parents have died. You may also be eligible if there is 1 surviving parent. This is on top of child benefit payments.
Find out if you are eligible for Guardians Allowance.
Healthy Start
You could get help to buy healthy food and milk for your child if you:
- get certain benefits
- have a child under 4 or,
- are more than 10 weeks pregnant.
Maternity Allowance
If you are more than 26 weeks pregnant, you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance.
This is different to Statutory Maternity Pay. You are not able to claim both benefits together.
Sure Start Maternity Grant
If you or your partner get certain benefits, you may be able to get Sure Start Maternity Grant.
Tax-Free Childcare
If you are working, you may be able to get up to £2000 a year to help cover costs of childcare. You can only apply if your child is 11 or under.
If your child is disabled, you may be eligible to get up to £4,000 per year until they are 16. You will not be able to claim this at the same time as other childcare help.
30 hours free childcare
If your child is aged 3 to 4, you could get up to 30 hours of free childcare a week if you or your partner are working or studying.
Flying Start
If your child is under the age of 4, you may be able to get free part time childcare.
You will only be able to get this if Flying Start covers your area.
Childcare calculator