Children and family benefits

Care to Learn grant

Care to Learn gives up to £160 per week to teenage parents who want to continue their education and need help with the cost of their childcare.

Apply

Request an application pack from the Care to Learn helpline:

• Freephone: 0800 121 8989
• How to apply for Care to Learn - Directgov website

Child Trust Fund

Get £250 to put in a savings account when you register for a child benefit.

• Child Trust Fund website - 4 steps to opening an account

Employer support with costs

Some large employers (such as the NHS or local authorities) can help with childcare costs.

For a list of all help available, visit the Paying for Childcare website or talk to your employer.

• Paying for childcare website

Healthy Start vouchers

You can spend Healthy Start vouchers on a range of healthy grocery items.

• Healthy Start website

Job grant

A tax free payment of £250 if you have received benefits for at least 26 weeks before moving into full time employment (of up to 16 hours per week for a minimum of 5 weeks).

Contact the Family Information Service for more information.

Maternity pay

A weekly payment for new mums, paid by your employer (if you have worked for at least 26 weeks).

For more information and help contact the Family Information Service.

• Statutory Maternity Pay - Directgov website

Free nursery education for 3 & 4 year olds

All 3 and 4 year olds in England are entitled to a free early education place for up to two years before they reach statutory school age (the beginning of the school term immediately following their fifth birthday).

• Free nursery education for 3 & 4 year olds

New Deal

The New Deal is support for lone parents getting back into work.

Contact your local Jobcentre Plus to find out more:

• Free phone: 0800 868 868
• Local office search – on Directgov website

Student support

Student support includes:

• Learner Support Funds for further education students
• Childcare grants for higer education students
• NHS bursaries

Contact the Family Information Service for more information and to get help applying.

Sure Start Maternity Grant

A Sure Start Maternity Grant helps to pay for the immediate needs of a new baby if your income is low.

Find out about eligibility and apply on the Directgov website:

• Sure Start Maternity Grant - apply on Directgov website

Tax credits

Child Tax Credit

Whether you are working or not, families with incomes of up to £58,000 a year (or £66,000 a year if there is at least one child who is less than a year old) could be eligible for Child Tax Credit.

Working Tax Credit - Childcare element

Working Tax Credit is an in-work tax credit for families with low incomes and includes an element to support the costs of registered or approved childcare.

Contact the Family Information Service for more information and to get help applying.