Is your baby due in October? Find out what financial support you may be entitled to with your new arrival

If your baby is due this month, now is a good time to find out about what financial support you may be entitled to with your new arrival. Here’s five things all new parents should know about:

  1. Child Benefit

Once your baby is born you should apply for Child Benefit.

Child Benefit is increasingly becoming an underclaimed benefit, especially with new parents or parents with two or more children, however it is an important source of financial support for families and there is no limit to how many children you can claim for. There are two Child Benefit rates, £25.60 per week for the eldest or only child and £16.95 per week for other children in the household.

Even if you won’t be able to claim Child Benefit due to one parent being a high earner (above £80,000) it’s important to apply as it ensures your child will receive their National Insurance number when they turn 16.

For more information on Child Benefit, download our factsheet here. You can apply online at www.gov.uk/child-benefit/how-to-claim.

  1. Universal Credit

Even if you haven’t previously been eligible for Universal Credit, depending on your circumstances and family income, you may, as a result of having your baby, become eligible. The best way to find out is to speak to an independent benefits advisor like the Family Benefits Advice Service.

Many working parents will be eligible for Universal Credit and don’t realise it – our team can advise to ensure you aren’t missing out on important financial support to benefit your family. Being able to claim Universal Credit may also mean you are eligible for other support, now or in the future.

  1. Sure Start Maternity Grant

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment of £500, paid to families on a low income to help with the costs of a new baby.

To be eligible for the grant you must be in receipt of certain benefits, e.g.

  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Pension Credit
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit (where a disability or severe disability element is included in the award) or
  • Universal Credit.

If you do not receive any of the benefits listed you may become eligible after the birth of a child, and therefore you may become eligible for the grant once this has been determined.

In most instances, the Sure Start Maternity Grant is only payable where the conditions above are met and where the child being claimed for is the only child in the household under the age of 16. Read more about the Sure Start Maternity Grant in our factsheet here.

  1. Healthy Start card

The Healthy Start Card is a type of pre-paid debit card that eligible parents and pregnant women can use in most UK shops to buy milk, infant formula, fruit and vegetables. The card is automatically topped up every four weeks.

You’ll qualify for the Healthy Start scheme if you’re at least 10 weeks pregnant or you have at least one child that’s under four, and are receiving one or more of the following:

  • Child Tax Credit (if your family’s annual income is £16,190 or less)
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Pension Credit (which includes the child addition)
  • Universal Credit (only if your family’s take-home pay is £408 or less per month from employment).

You will also be eligible for Healthy Start if:

  • You’re under 18 and more than 10 weeks pregnant, even if you are not claiming any benefits
  • You claim income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and are over 10 weeks pregnant
  • You, your partner or your carer get Working Tax Credit during the 4 week run-on after reporting you have stopped working 16 hours or more per week.

You’ll get money added onto your card every four weeks to spend on certain food and milk until your child turns four or you no longer receive qualifying benefits. You’ll get:

  • £4.25 each week of your pregnancy from the 10th week
  • £8.50 each week for children from birth to 1
  • £4.25 each week for children between 1 and 4
  • Free vitamin supplements for you and your child.

You can only apply for Healthy Start if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. However, if you live in Scotland you can apply for Best Start Foods  instead.

You can apply or reapply online at www.healthystart.nhs.uk/how-to-apply/

  1. Help with registered childcare costs

It’s never too soon to start thinking about childcare costs for when you return to work after having your baby. Most working parents are entitled to financial support with registered childcare costs. There are a number of schemes available including Tax-Free Childcare (available to families where each parent can earn up to £100,000), Universal Credit, Childcare Vouchers and Tax Credits and it can be complex to work out what is best for your family. Parents of children under school age in Northern Ireland who claim Tax-Free Childcare can also currently benefit from the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy which pays an additional 15% towards their childcare costs.

Free, personalised advice

For further information on the support mentioned above or advice on maternity, paternity and shared parental leave entitlement, work-life balance and workplace legislation affecting parents, you can speak to our Family Benefits Advice Service on 028 9267 8200, email hello@employersforchildcare.org.

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