Support with the cost of raising children, from Child Benefit to help with childcare.
Each of these has its own rules. Open a page to see what it is, who runs it, and where the official guidance lives.
HM Revenue & Customs
Child Benefit is paid to people responsible for bringing up a child, including an older child who stays in approved education or training. If you or your partner earn above a set level, you may have to pay some or all of it back through the High Income Child Benefit Charge.
Department for Education
Your child may get free school meals if you get certain benefits, such as Universal Credit. You apply through your local council. All infant-school pupils at state schools in England get free school meals.
NHS Business Services Authority
Healthy Start helps if you are pregnant or have a young child and get certain benefits. You get a prepaid card to spend on milk, fruit, vegetables, pulses and infant formula, and you can get free vitamins.
Department for Work and Pensions
Universal Credit is a monthly payment to help with your living costs if you are on a low income, out of work or cannot work. It is replacing older benefits such as Housing Benefit and income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
We are an information site. If a decision has gone against you, or you are not sure what applies to your situation, free independent advice is available and it is worth using.
None of them charge, and none of them will ask you to pay to make a claim.