As a nation we are in the midst of a cost of living crisis. Prices of fuel, energy and food are all increasing and as we head into winter many are worrying how they'll make ends meet.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is urging people on Universal Credit to ask for additional financial support if they find themselves struggling to manage. For those claiming Universal Credit who are pregnant or have a child, the pressure to eat healthily and make their cash stretch further can be even greater. There are payment boosts that could help ease the pressure.
Around 40 percent of all those on Universal Credit are already in work, with the benefit topping up low wages. As costs rise, however, claimants may still be struggling as everyone is facing a real-term cut in income as inflation soars. The DWP said: "If you’re in financial difficulties, you can get help and advice from the Government, local councils and other organisations."
READ MORE: DWP: 15 Universal Credit payment boosts can help with travel, bills and broadband
For those receiving Universal Credit who are pregnant or who have a child, the payment boosts that we have highlighted below could help with household finances. These are on top of the £650 cost of living payment boost, the first of which, £326, should have now been received, with the second instalments of £324 being paid in the autumn for Universal Credit claimants.
Here are some of the income boosts currently available. They are subject to eligibility and criteria applies, so check what you could apply for. The DWP says those on Universal Credit might be able to get:
1. Free early education for two-year-olds
All 3 and 4 years olds in England are entitled to 570 hours of free early education or childcare a year. This is often taken as 15 hours each week for 38 weeks of the year. However, your 2-year old could get free childcare if you live in England and get any of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit (or both), and your household income is £16,190 a year or less before tax
- the Working Tax Credit 4-week run on (the payment you get when you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit)
Two-year-olds can also get free childcare if they:
- are looked after by a local authority
- have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- get Disability Living Allowance
- have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order
2. Healthy Start voucher
Apply for Healthy Start vouchers if you are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 years old. You'll need to live in England or Wales.
While you will need to be claiming certain benefits to qualify if you are over 18, those who are under 18 and pregnant can claim even if you do not receive any benefits. The Healthy Start scheme can help you buy healthy foods like milk or fruit, and will enable you to get free vitamins. Visit the NHS Healthy Start website for more details and to apply.
3. Free school meals
Free school meals for your child can be a welcome boost. Your child may be able to get free school meals if you get any of the following:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit
- Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
- Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.
Your child may also get free school meals if you get any of these benefits and your child is both:
- younger than the compulsory age for starting school
- in full-time education
To check if your child is eligible and to apply for free school meals visit the government website.
4. Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF)
If your child is eligible for free school meals, they’ll also qualify for the Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF). You will have to apply for this before each holiday.
5. Sure Start Maternity Grant
Babies can be expensive and buying everything you need for your new arrival can soon mount up. However, you could be eligible for a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child. This is known as a Sure Start Maternity Grant. It is only available if live in England or Wales - if you live in Scotland you will need to apply for a Pregnancy and Baby Payment instead. Be aware that you'll need to claim the grant within 11 weeks of the baby’s due date or within 6 months after the baby’s birth.
You usually qualify for the grant if both of the following apply:
- you’re expecting your first child, or you’re expecting a multiple birth (such as twins) and have children already
- you or your partner already get certain benefits
6. Free prescriptions
There are a number of reasons people get free prescription and one of them is being pregnant or having had a baby in the previous 12 months. This will entitle you to a maternity exemption certificate (MatEx). While you may already get free prescriptions as a universal credit claimant, you must meet certain criteria to claim on this basis (Universal Credit claimants can get free prescriptions if they either had no earnings or had net earnings of £435 or less in the last four-week assessment period). All pregnant people are entitled to apply for a MatEx. Be aware that you must produce your certificate to receive free prescriptions. For more details and how to apply visit the NHS website.
7. Child benefit
While child benefit isn't dependent upon claiming Universal credit, it is a boost that parents can benefit from. You will get Child Benefit if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is under 16 or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training.
It’s paid every 4 weeks and there’s no limit to how many children you can claim for. However, only one person can get Child Benefit for a child. By claiming Child Benefit you can get National Insurance credits which count towards your State Pension
The weekly rate for your eldest or only child is £21.80 with additional children paid at £14.45 a week.
What next
There are other financial boosts that you may be entitled to that are not specific to being pregnant or having a child. Check out our list of 15 Universal Credit payment boosts can help with travel, bills and broadband.
If you need benefits advice and information, help is available at Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council, or the Nottingham and District Citizens Advice.
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