Parenting a kid is expensive. Below we give a basic guide to some of the things you might be able to claim if you're responsible for a child.

But it's worth noting that the future of these benefits is uncertain. Currently the government is in the process of re-vamping the entire benefit system. This could lead to lots of the below morphing into universal credit, changing, or being scrapped entirely.

Here at TheSite.org we aim to give you the gritty details as and when we receive them. But if you're in the middle of future-finance-planning, we recommend arranging an appointment with the Citizens Advice Bureau who can talk you through your individual circumstances and how these changes will affect you personally.

Child Tax Credit

What is it? Help for families with at least one child, paid either on a monthly or weekly basis.
What's it worth? Means-tested, so much depends on your circumstances.
How do I qualify? You must be 16 or over. You and/or your partner's income must not exceed £58,175 or £66,350 if you have just one child under the age of one. If you have children with disabilities the income can be higher. From April 2011 families with a household income of £40, 000 or more will find they can claim fewer Child Tax Credits.

Working Tax Credit

What is it? Help for people who are on a low income.
What's it worth? Calculated according to your individual circumstances, and also whether you use registered childcare in order to work (see Childcare Element below)
How do I qualify? You must be 16 or over and responsible for at least one child or young person. You should be working a minimum of 16 hours a week.

Childcare Element

What is it? An addition to the Working Tax Credit, intended as a contribution towards the cost of any registered childcare (i.e. childminders or nurseries that are registered with the local authority).
What's it worth? Up to 80% of your childcare cost, capped at 80% of £175 per week for one child and 80% of £300 per week for two or more kids.
How do I qualify? If you are part of a couple, both of you must work at least 16 hours a week unless one of you is incapacitated, in hospital or in prison. The final amount will depend on your income, or joint income, if you are part of a couple.

Income Support

What is it? A benefit payment made up of personal allowances, premiums and payments to cover certain housing costs.
What's it worth? Lone parents aged 16-17 receive £50.95 a week. If you're aged 18 and over, you receive £64.30.
How do I qualify? You must be aged between 16 and 59, on a low income and not in full-time work (working on average less than 16 hours a week). You also cannot have savings of £16,000 or more.

New Deal

What is it? A voluntary programme specifically designed to help single parents get into work.
What's it worth? You will get help towards childcare costs, be offered the chance to  work in the voluntary sector for six months, or receive free full-time education and training for up to a year.
How do I qualify? If you're bringing up children as a lone parent, your youngest child is under 16 years-old and you're not working, or you're working less than 16 hours a week.

Health in Pregnancy Grant

What is it? Currently you can claim a one-off, tax-free payment from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) when you are at least 25 weeks pregnant. However, this grant will be scrapped in April 2011.
What's it worth? The grant is £190 for each pregnancy you have and won't affect your tax credits or any other benefits you have.
How do I qualify? You don't have to disclose your income to receive this grant, you just need to be 25 weeks pregnant or more and be a UK resident. To receive it you'll need to get a claim form from your midwife or doctor. They must fill in their part of the form and sign it before giving it to you. You then have 31 days to get this form back to HMRC, otherwise you may miss out on the payment. You can even get a free text message or email reminder to help you remember when to make your claim.

Sure Start Maternity Grants (the Social Fund)

What is it? This grant will help towards the costs of a new baby if you're on a low income. It comes from the Social Fund and you don't have to repay it. From April 2011 this grant will only be available to the first child in each family.
What's it worth? A one-off payment of £500.
How do I qualify? You or your partner must be receiving income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, or Child Tax Credit (at a higher rate than the family element) or Working Tax Credit that includes the disability or severe disability element. You can claim your payment any time from 11 weeks before the baby is due to up to three months after the baby is born.

Community Care Grants (the Social Fund)

What is it? Financial help to live independently in the community or to ease exceptional pressure on you and your family. It doesn't need to be paid back.
What's it worth? This will depend on your personal circumstances.
How do I qualify? You must be getting Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or are likely to get one of these benefits when you move out of residential or institutional accommodation.

Budgeting Loans (the Social Fund)

What is it? Budgeting loans are interest-free and intended to help pay for important costs (e.g. furniture, household equipment, clothing, footwear, and to help you look for or start work). 
What's it worth? You can apply to borrow £100 up to £1,500 in total.
How do I qualify? To be eligible you or your partner must have been getting Income Support or income based Jobseeker's Allowance for at least 26 weeks.

Crisis Loans (the Social Fund)

What is it? Crisis loans are interest-free loans you have to pay pack. You may be entitled to one if there's a serious risk to the health and safety of you or your family following an emergency or disaster.
What's it worth? This depends on your personal circumstances.
How do I qualify? You don't need to be getting any benefits, but you must be over the age of 16.

Updated: 14/12/2010