If you are on a low income but you are not getting universal credit (UC)

Check if you qualify for UC.

In almost all circumstances, making a claim for UC ends your legacy benefits. (Legacy benefits are income-based job seeker's allowance, income support, income-related employment and support allowance, working-age housing benefit and tax credits.) If you get a legacy benefit, unless you have received a 'migration notice' (a letter telling you that your legacy benefit is going to end and giving you a date by which to claim universal credit), undertake a better off calculation before you make a UC application to check if you would be better off on UC.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

If you get UC

If you are getting UC and you are responsible for a child or qualifying young person, check that you are getting the correct child element/s within your UC.

If you already get child elements for at least two children within your UC award, and do not get an amount for a third or subsequent child, check whether any of the exceptions to the ‘two-child limit’ apply.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

If your child gets a disability benefit (such as disability living allowance, child disability payment, personal independence payment or adult disability payment) or is certified as severely sight impaired or blind, check that the UC child element has been increased by a disabled child addition, and that the rate of the addition is correct.

Note that: you can get a disabled child addition for a child, even if you do not get a child element for them because of the ‘two-child limit’.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

If you are responsible for a child and you and/or your partner work, an amount of your earnings can be ignored when calculating your UC. This is known as the ‘work allowance’. Check that the correct amount of your earnings is ignored.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

If you have been sanctioned because you have not met your work-related requirements, check if you can challenge the sanction.

In some circumstances, you should have no work-related requirements imposed on you. This includes if:

You should not be sanctioned for failing to meet work-related requirements during this time.

If you are pregnant see below: If you are pregnant or recently gave birth.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

CPAG Welfare Rights tools (for subscribers):

If you are subject to a benefit sanction

If you have been given a benefit sanction, in addition to considering challenging the decision, consider applying for a hardship payment. Check whether you qualify and whether the money is repayable, according to which benefit you get.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

If you get working tax credit (WTC) but not child tax credit (CTC)

If you get WTC and you have, or have become responsible for, a child or qualifying young person, you can claim CTC. Inform the Tax Credits Office of this change in your circumstances. Completing a new claim form is not normally required.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

If you get CTC

If you get CTC and have, or have become responsible for, another child or qualifying young person, check whether you can get another child element included in the calculation of your CTC. Inform the Tax Credits Office of this change in your circumstances.

Note that: If you already get child additions for at least two children within your CTC, you can only get an addition for a third, or subsequent, child in certain circumstances. Check whether any of the exceptions to the ‘two-child limit’ apply.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

If you are responsible for a child or qualifying young person

If you are not already getting child benefit for the child or ‘qualifying young person’, check if you qualify for it. You may have priority over any other claimant.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

If you live in Scotland

Check if you qualify for Scottish child payment.

This is a top-up benefit paid regularly for each child under 16 for whom families are responsible. It isn’t means-tested but you must receive a qualifying benefit.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

Children's Handbook Scotland:

If you are not the child's parent and their parent has died

Check if you qualify for guardian's allowance.

To get guardian’s allowance for a child, you must be entitled to, or treated as entitled to, child benefit for them. However, you usually must not be the child’s parent.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

If you are employed

Check your entitlement to statutory maternity pay (SMP) from your employer. You must meet certain employment and earnings conditions to qualify.

Note that: If the qualifying conditions are met you can give up your SMP early, from at least two weeks after the birth, in order for you and/or your partner (or the child’s other parent) to get statutory shared parental pay (SSPP) instead (if you both qualify you can share the weeks of SSPP between you). In some circumstances doing so may increase your overall household income. See below for more information about SSPP.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

Check if you qualify for SSPP. For you to qualify, you must give up your SMP early so the remaining weeks of your 39-week maternity pay period can be replaced by weeks of entitlement to SSPP.

As you can get SSPP until a year after the birth, this can give you more flexibility in when you take paid leave - eg, allowing you to return to work and take paid leave later. You may also want to give up your SMP early if it would mean your partner or the baby’s father would qualify for SSPP (if you both qualify you can share the weeks of SSPP between you). In some circumstances, this may increase your overall household income.

Note that: Depending on your earnings and whether you or your partner are claiming SSPP, SMP may be more than SSPP in the first six weeks of the maternity pay period.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

If you do not qualify for SMP

Check your entitlement to maternity allowance (MA).

You can qualify based on your own current or past employment or self-employment, or the self-employment of your spouse or civil partner if you helped with their business but were not employed by them.

Your claim for MA is also treated as a claim for employment and support allowance (and vice versa).

Note that: You can give up your MA early, from at least two weeks after the birth, in order for your partner (or the child’s other parent) to get statutory shared parental pay (SSPP) instead, if they meet the qualifying conditions for it. In some circumstances doing so may increase your overall household income.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

If you live in England or Wales

Check whether you can get a Sure Start maternity grant. You or your partner need to get a qualifying benefit and usually there must be no other children aged under 16 in your family. The grant is a one-off payment of £500 and is not repayable.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

If you are pregnant or responsible for a child aged under four, check if you qualify for the Healthy Start food and vitamins scheme. In most circumstances, to get Healthy Start food and vitamins, you or your partner must be getting a qualifying benefit.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

If you live in Scotland

Check whether can get a Best Start grant pregnancy and baby payment. In most circumstances, to get a pregnancy and baby payment, you or your partner must get a qualifying benefit.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

Children's Handbook Scotland:

mygov.scot:

If you are pregnant or responsible for a child under three, check if you qualify for Best Start foods.

Note that: If you are pregnant you are entitled to receive free vitamins in Scotland regardless of your income. Vitamin D is available free for people who are breastfeeding and children under the age of three.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

Children's Handbook Scotland:

mygov.scot:

If you need help with prescription charges

In England, you qualify for free prescriptions if you are pregnant or have given birth in the last 12 months. After this, check if you qualify for free prescriptions on another ground.

Prescriptions are free in Wales and Scotland.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

NHS Business Services Authority:

If you need help with the cost of dental treatment

In England and Wales, you qualify for free NHS dental check-ups and free NHS dental treatment if you are pregnant or have given birth within the last 12 months. After this, check if you qualify for free NHS dental check-ups and treatment on another ground.

In Scotland, NHS dental check-ups are free for everyone and NHS dental treatment is free for pregnant women and women who have given birth in the past 12 months. After this, check if you qualify for free NHS dental treatment on another ground.

Welfare Rights and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

NHS Business Services Authority:

If you are subject to a universal credit (UC) sanction

If you are getting UC and have been sanctioned because you have not met your work-related requirements, check if you can challenge the sanction.

In some circumstances, you should have no work-related requirements imposed on you. This includes if:

You should not be sanctioned for failing to meet work-related requirements during this time.

If your youngest child is aged one or older, see above: If you have a child or children

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

CPAG Welfare Rights tools (for subscribers):

If you are subject to a benefit sanction

If you have been given a benefit sanction, in addition to considering challenging the decision, also consider applying for a hardship payment. Check whether you qualify and whether the money is repayable, according to which benefit you get.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

If you are employed

Check your entitlement to statutory adoption pay (SAP).

You may qualify for SAP from your employer if you are adopting a child under UK law and you meet certain employment and earnings-related conditions.

If you have jointly adopted a child with your partner, only one of you can claim SAP but the other can apply for statutory paternity pay (SPP).

Note that: If the qualifying conditions are met you can give up your SAP early, from at least two weeks after the child is placed with you for adoption, in order for you and/or your partner to get statutory shared parental pay (SSPP) instead (if you both qualify you can share the weeks of SSPP between you). In some circumstances doing so may increase your overall household income. See below for more information about SSPP.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

If you are not claiming SAP, check your entitlement to statutory paternity pay.

You may qualify if your partner has adopted a child, or you have jointly adopted a child with your partner; and you meet certain employment and earnings conditions.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

Check if you qualify for SSPP.

If you or your partner get SAP, and choose to give up SAP early, you may qualify for SSPP. In some circumstances, doing so may increase your overall household income. You must meet certain employment and earnings conditions to qualify.

Note that: Depending on your earnings, and whether you or your partner are claiming SSPP, SAP may be more than SSPP in the first six weeks of the adoption pay period.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

If you are employed

Check if you qualify for statutory paternity pay (SPP) from your employer.

To qualify you must be taking time off work to care for the child or to support your partner, and satisfy certain employment and earnings conditions.

If you have jointly adopted a child with your partner only one of you can claim statutory adoption pay (SAP) but the other can claim SPP.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

If you are employed and your partner gets statutory maternity pay (SMP), maternity allowance (MA) or SAP

Check if you qualify for statutory shared parental pay (SSPP).

For you to qualify, your partner must give up their SMP, MA or SAP early so the remaining weeks of their 39-week maternity pay, maternity allowance or adoption pay period can be replaced by weeks of entitlement to SSPP. In some circumstances, you and your partner may be financially better off if you get SSPP in place of your partner getting SMP, MA or SAP.

Note that: Depending on your earnings - and whether you or your partner are claiming SSPP - SMP or SAP may be more than SSPP in the first six weeks of the maternity pay period.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

If you are looking for or starting work

Check if you can get financial support from the Flexible Support Fund. This might include, for example, getting help with upfront childcare costs on starting work or if your hours of work increase, or help with childcare costs if you are doing training.

The Flexible Support Fund is a discretionary fund administered by local Jobcentre Plus offices.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

Flexible Support Fund (pdf)

If you are getting universal credit (UC)

A proportion of your childcare costs, up to a maximum amount, may be included in the assessment of your entitlement to UC. Check if can get a childcare costs element in your UC.

You may qualify if you are in paid work or have an offer of paid work that is due to start before the end of your next UC assessment period. If you are in a couple, your partner must usually be in paid work too, although exceptions apply.

In some circumstances, you can be treated as in paid work, even if you are not working - eg, while you are getting maternity allowance (MA) or a statutory payment such as statutory maternity pay (SMP).

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

CPAG's Welfare Rights Bulletin:

If you are getting working tax credit (WTC)

A proportion of your childcare costs up to a maximum capped amount may be included in the assessment of your entitlement to WTC. Check if you can get this childcare element in your WTC.

You may qualify if you are a lone parent working at least 16 hours per week, or a member of a couple with both working at least 16 hours per week, or in certain circumstances, if just one of you is working at least 16 hours per week.

You may still qualify for the childcare element during certain periods when you are treated as being in paid work, even if you are not working - eg, while you are getting MA or a statutory payment such as SMP.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

If you live in England and your child is aged 9 months to four years old

Check whether you qualify for free childcare for a child aged 9 months to four years old. Entitlement depends on your circumstances and the child's age.

Note that: there are different rules for England, Wales and Scotland.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

Childcare Choices:

GOV.UK:

If you live in Scotland or Wales and your child is aged two, three or four years old

Check whether you qualify for free childcare for a two, three or four-year-old.

Note that: there are different rules for England, Wales and Scotland.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

mygov.scot:

GOV.WALES:

You are working

Check your entitlement to tax-free childcare.

You and if you have a partner, your partner, must usually be working and earning at least 16 times the minimum or living wage for your age (although there are exceptions), and your individual earnings must not be expected to exceed £100,000.

Note that: If you get tax credits, registering for tax-free childcare will result in your award of tax credits being terminated. If you get UC you cannot qualify for the tax-free childcare scheme. The government may introduce rules in the future that mean if you register for the tax-free childcare scheme, your UC award is terminated. If you are entitled to UC or tax credits always check whether you will be better off before registering for tax-free childcare. In most cases, you are usually better off continuing to claim UC or tax credits.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

If you have a child under five

Children under five are entitled to an amount of free milk on each day they are in certain types of childcare.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

If you live in England or Wales

If you are responsible for a child aged under four who is a member of your family, check if you qualify for Healthy Start food and vitamins. In most circumstances, you or your partner must be getting a qualifying benefit.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

NHS Business Services Authority:

If you live in Scotland

If you care for a child aged under three, check if you qualify for Best Start foods and free vitamins. In most circumstances, to get Best Start foods and free vitamins you or your partner must get a qualifying benefit.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

mygov.scot:

If you or your partner are responsible for a child aged between two and three and a half, check if you qualify for a Best Start grant early learning payment. You or your partner usually need to be getting a qualifying benefit to be eligible.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

CPAG in Scotland:

Children's Handbook Scotland:

All children in early learning and childcare can get a free meal on the days they attend. Check if your child qualifies for free preschool lunches in other situations.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

mygov.scot:

If you live in England

Free school lunches are provided to all children during the first three years of primary school.

Check if your child qualifies for free school lunches for subsequent years.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

If you live in London

All primary school children in state-funded schools in London receive free school meals.

london.gov.uk:

If you live in Scotland

Check if you qualify for a Best Start grant school-age payment. This is a one-off payment for people who are responsible for a child who is around school-starting age.

You usually need to be getting a qualifying benefit and apply within the application period.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

CPAG in Scotland:

Children's Handbook Scotland:

Free school lunches are provided to all children in Primary 1-5 in local authority run or government funded schools

Check if your child qualifies for free school lunches for subsequent years. If your child qualifies for free school lunches you may also get help during the school holidays if you get a qualifying benefit.

Note that: During 2024-25 the Scottish government plans to extend free school meals to all pupils getting the Scottish child payment who are in Primary 6-7.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

mygov.scot:

CPAG in Scotland:

If you live in Wales

Free school breakfasts are provided to all children in primary schools maintained by the local authority.

Free school lunches are provided to all children in primary school.

Check if your child qualifies for free school meals for subsequent years.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.WALES:

If your child needs transport to school

Check if they qualify for free transport to school. Local authorities must provide this for pupils of compulsory school age if it’s considered necessary to enable the pupil to get to the ‘nearest suitable school’ and if, unless there is no safe walking route, they live more than a set distance from the school.

Free school transport may also be provided for pupils with parents on a low income, and for pupils with special educational needs, (in Scotland, who need additional support for learning) or who are disabled or have mobility problems.

In Scotland, young people aged between five and 21-years old can get free bus travel by applying for a National Entitlement Card (children aged up to the age of 5 automatically travel free).

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

mygov.scot:

If you need help with the cost of school clothes

If you live in England, check with your local authority, as some give grants for school uniforms and other school clothes.

If you live in Scotland, check if you can get a school clothing grant.

If you live in Wales, check if you qualify for a school essentials grant.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

mygov.scot:

GOV.WALES:

If your child needs period products

England: If you are in school or aged under 19 in non-advanced education, free period products should be available when needed. Period products should also be available if you are aged 19 or over in certain circumstances.

Scotland: Education authorities are required to make free period products available to all school pupils.

Wales: All schools and colleges provide free period products.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

mygov.scot:

GOV.WALES:

If your child is aged 16-19 and living in England

Check if they qualify for a 16-19 bursary. These are payments made to young people aged 16-19 who stay on in further education or training.

Some young people who meet specific criteria qualify for the bursary. Others may be able to get a discretionary bursary.

Applications should be made to their school, college or training provider.

Note that: Some young people aged over 19 may be able to get a discretionary bursary if they are continuing on a course they started before they reached 19 or have an Education, Health and Care plan.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

If your child is aged 16-19 and living in Scotland

Check if they qualify for an education maintenance allowance. They may qualify if they are in non-advanced education and your income is not too high.

Payments are conditional on regular course attendance.

Also check for other student support that is available in Scotland.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

Benefits for Students in Scotland Handbook:

mygov.scot:

If your child is aged 16-18 and living in Wales

Check if they qualify for an education maintenance allowance. They may qualify if they are in non-advanced education and your income is not too high.

Payments are conditional on regular course attendance.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

Student Finance Wales:

If you have a child and are separated from their other parent and you are the child's main carer

Check what child maintenance you might get if you used the Child Maintenance Service. However, you can instead make a ‘family-based arrangement’ if you and the other parent agree on the amount of maintenance that should be paid. An agreement may be made legally binding through a court order or, in Scotland, a 'minute of agreement'.

Note that: if you are are considering applying to court to formalise your agreement about child maintenance or already have a court order in place for child maintenance but think that you should be entitled to more, seek legal advice.

GOV.UK:

mygov.scot:

If you live in England or Wales

Check if your child qualifies for disability living allowance.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

If you live in Scotland

Check if your child qualifies for child disability payment.

This is a non-means tested benefit for children and young people who are disabled or have long-term health problems.

It replaces disability living allowance for children and young people living in Scotland.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

CPAG in Scotland:

Children's Handbook Scotland:

If you live in England

Prescriptions are free for children aged under 16, or under 19 and in full-time education.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

NHS Business Services Authority:

Dental costs: you qualify for free NHS dental treatment and check-ups if you are under 18 or under 19 and in full-time education.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

NHS Business Services Authority:

Sight tests and help with the cost of glasses: you qualify for a free NHS sight test if you are under 16 or are under 19 and in full-time education.

You qualify for a voucher to buy glasses or contact lenses if:

Note that: you may also qualify for a voucher if your glasses need to be replaced or repaired because they have been lost or damaged and you are aged under 16 (or in some circumstances under 19).

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

NHS Business Services Authority:

Wigs and fabric supports: you qualify for free NHS wigs and fabric supports if you are under 16 or are under 19 and in full-time education.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

NHS Business Services Authority:

If you live in Scotland

Prescriptions are free in Scotland.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

NHS Inform:

Dental costs: NHS dental check-ups are free in Scotland.

You qualify for free NHS dental treatment if you are aged under 26 or for a course of dental treatment you started before reaching 26 years-old.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

NHS Inform (Scotland):

NHS sight tests are free in Scotland.

You may qualify for an NHS optical voucher to help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses if you are under 16, or aged under 19 and in full-time education.

Note that: you may also qualify for a voucher if your glasses need to be replaced or repaired because they have been lost or damaged and you are aged under 16 (or in some circumstances if you are aged 16 or over)

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

NHS Inform (Scotland):

NHS wigs and fabric supports are free.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

NHS Business Services Authority:

If you live in Wales

Prescriptions are free in Wales.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.WALES:

Dental costs: you qualify for free NHS dental examinations if you are under 25 years old.

You qualify for free dental treatment if you are under 18 or are under 19 and in full-time education.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.WALES:

Sight tests including help with the cost of glasses: you qualify for a free NHS sight test if you are under 16 or are under 19 and in full-time education.

You qualify for a voucher to buy glasses or contact lenses if:

Note that: you may also qualify for a voucher if your glasses need to be replaced or repaired because they have been lost or damaged and you are aged under 16 (or in some circumstances if you are aged 16 or over).

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.WALES:

NHS wigs and fabric supports are free in Wales.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

NHS Business Services Authority:

If you live in England or Wales

In some circumstances, you may qualify for a cold weather payment if:

Check whether you qualify.

Note that: there are also other grounds for qualifying for a cold weather payment.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

If you live in Scotland

In some circumstances, you may qualify for a winter heating payment if you have a child under five or a disabled child, and you receive a qualifying benefit.

Note that: there are also other grounds for qualifying for a winter heating payment.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

CPAG in Scotland:

mygov.scot:

A child or young person under the age of 19 may qualify for child winter heating payment if, during the week beginning on the third Monday in September, they are entitled to:

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

Local authority social services departments have statutory duties to provide a range of practical and financial help to families, children and young people, among others.

Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook (for subscribers):

GOV.UK:

mygov.scot:

Check whether you may be able to get financial or other support from a charity by using an online grants checker.

CPAG Welfare Rights:

Turn2Us:

Funds Online: