Family support

If you’re already on benefits you may be able to get extra support with some school costs – things like school uniform and PE kit, school meals and travel to and from school for your children.

How much help and support you can get will depend on where you live in the country. Check with your Local Authority, you can find out more on the Gov.uk website:

• School meals
• School uniform
• Travel to and from school

Your child may be entitled to free transport if they are unable to walk to school because of their special educational needs and disabilities (sometimes referred to as SEND) or mobility problems. Transport provided must be suitable to your child’s needs. Find out more on Gov.uk.

If you’re expecting a baby or have a child under 4, the Healthy Start scheme can help you buy basic foods like milk and fruit and also access vitamins for you and your children.

If you are eligible you will be sent some vouchers – these are widely accepted in shops across the UK.

Visit the Healthy Start website to apply.

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment of £500 which you could be eligible for if you are expecting a baby.

You usually qualify for the payment if the following apply to you:

• You’re expecting your first child (or first twins).
• You or your partner already claim certain benefits. Check out the full list on Gov.uk.

You will need to claim the grant within 11 weeks of your baby’s due date or within six months of your baby’s birth.

You don’t have to pay back the grant and claiming it will not affect your other benefits.

To claim your grant, fill out the grant claim form which you can download from Gov.uk. You will need to ask your midwife, or another health professional to sign your form. Send your form to Freepost DWP SSMG – you don’t need a stamp or postcode.

You will receive a letter telling you if your claim was successful.

If you get Universal Credit, you won’t receive a decision on your claim until after your next payment.

You may still be able to get a grant if either:

• You’re expecting a multiple birth (such as twins).
• The child you’re caring for is someone else’s (but not your partner’s) and the child was over 12 months old when the arrangement started