Many people are not aware of all the benefits and support they are able to apply for. Some are available to all single parents. Others are dependent on income and other circumstances.
Financial Support for Single Parents
As a single parent in the UK, you may be eligible for a range of benefits to support you and your child(ren). Here are some of the main benefits you could be entitled to:
Universal Credit
This is the main benefit for people on a low income or out of work. It replaces several older benefits and tax credits with a single monthly payment. As a single parent, you could receive additional support through Universal Credit, including:
- Child element: This is paid for each child you are responsible for.
- Housing element: This helps towards your rent or mortgage costs.
- Limited capability for work element: If you have a health condition or disability that limits your ability to work, you may be eligible for this additional payment.
Child Benefit
This is a tax-free payment made to help with the cost of raising a child. You can claim Child Benefit for each child under the age of 16 (or under 20 if they are still in education or training).
Working Tax Credit
If you’re working and on a low income, you may be eligible for Working Tax Credit. This can help boost your income and make it more worthwhile to work.
Child Tax Credit
This benefit is designed to help with the cost of raising a child. It is paid to working families on a low income.
Other potential benefits
Depending on your individual circumstances, you may also be eligible for other benefits, such as:
- Housing Benefit: This can help towards your rent or mortgage costs.
- Council Tax Reduction: This can reduce your Council Tax bill.
- Free School Meals: If your income is low, your child may be eligible for free school meals.
How to check your eligibility and apply
The best way to find out which benefits you may be entitled to is to use the government’s online benefits calculator. This tool will ask you a series of questions about your income, outgoings, and circumstances, and then provide you with a personalised list of benefits you may be eligible for.
You can also contact your local Jobcentre Plus or Citizens Advice Bureau for advice and support.
Important note:
Benefit rules and eligibility criteria can be complex and change regularly. It’s always best to seek professional advice to ensure you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to.
Help to pay mortgage interest
If you are receiving Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance or Jobseeker’s Allowance an amount can be added to your benefits to help pay the interest (but not the capital). This can include help towards ground rent, some service charges and interest on loans for essential home improvements.
You must have been claiming one of these benefits for at least 13 weeks before you can start to receive help with your mortgage interest. When you make your claim for these benefits tell Jobcentre Plus that you also want to claim help with your mortgage interest. They will send you a form to fill in and take to your mortgage lender, who will complete it and send it back to Jobcentre Plus.
Statutory Sick Pay
This is paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks for a period of sickness lasting four days or more. Some employers may also pay you occupational sick pay on top of this as part of your contract of employment. You must provide a medical certificate to your employer to get Statutory Sick Pay.
– Help with council tax
If you are the only adult in your home who has to pay council tax, you qualify for a 25 per cent discount on the bill. If you get income support you should also get council tax benefit to help with the rest of the bill. Apply at your local council or at the same time as claiming income support.
– Extra help with rent and council tax
If you get housing benefit or council tax benefit but need extra financial help to pay the bill, you can ask your local council for a top-up payment. This is called a discretionary housing payment. You do not have an automatic right to these payments; it is up to your local council to decide. If you can, get advice before you apply.
– Prescriptions and health costs
If you get income support, you can get free prescriptions, dental treatment, sight tests, glasses, fares to hospital, wigs and fabric supports. You can also get free help if you claim child tax credit and your income is under a certain limit.
– Cold weather payment
If you get income support and have a child under five, or you get the disability or severe disability element of child tax credit, you should automatically receive a cold weather payment. These are paid in periods of very cold weather as defined by the government.
– Free school meals
If you get income support or child tax credit but not working tax credit, and have a household income below a certain limit, your child may be entitled to free school meals. Some income, such as child maintenance, is not counted.
– School uniforms
It is up to your local council what, if any, help they give with the cost of school uniforms. Contact the education department at your local council.
– Funeral expenses
If you are arranging a funeral you may qualify for a payment to help with the cost. The money may have to be paid back from the deceased’s estate if possible.
For further information visit – Advice Guide
Check you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to with the Turn2us Benefits Calculator
There are several grants available for single parents in the UK, depending on your specific circumstances. Here are some resources to help you find the right ones:
Government Grants:
- Healthy Start: Provides vouchers to help buy healthy food for pregnant women and children under 4.
- Free School Meals: If your income is low, your child may be eligible for free school meals.
- Child Benefit: A tax-free payment to help with the cost of raising a child.
- Working Tax Credit: If you’re working and on a low income, you may be eligible for this credit.
- Child Tax Credit: This benefit is designed to help with the cost of raising a child.
Charity Grants:
- Turn2Us: Provides a grants search tool to help you find grants you may be eligible for.
- Other charities: Many other charities offer grants to single parents. You can search online or contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau for more information.
How to Find Grants:
- Use a Grants Search Tool: Turn2Us offer search tools to help you find grants based on your specific needs.
- Contact Your Local Citizens Advice Bureau: They can provide advice on the grants you may be eligible for and help you with the application process.
- Check with Your Local Council: Some local councils offer grants to help with specific needs, such as housing or childcare.
Important Note:
- Grant eligibility criteria can vary, so it’s important to check the specific requirements for each grant.
- The application process for grants can be complex, so it’s helpful to seek advice from a professional, such as a Citizens Advice Bureau advisor.
By exploring these resources and seeking advice, you can increase your chances of finding the right grants to support your family’s needs.