Clear, jargon-free guides to UK benefits, from Universal Credit to PIP

Family Benefits

Discover benefits, grants and financial support available to families across the UK. Learn about Child Benefit, Tax-Free Childcare, maternity support, Healthy Start and other schemes designed to help parents manage childcare costs, household expenses and family finances while ensuring children receive the support they need.

Maternity Allowance and maternity pay explained

Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance for 2026/27: who gets each, how much, the £194.32 weekly rate, and how they affect your Universal Credit.

15 May 2026 6 min

Child maintenance and how it affects your benefits

Does child maintenance affect your benefits? No, it does not reduce them. How child maintenance works, arranging it privately or through the Child Maintenance Service.

14 May 2026 6 min

Kinship and foster carers: benefits and allowances

The benefits and allowances for kinship carers and foster carers: Child Benefit, the Universal Credit child element, kinship allowances, Guardian's Allowance and fostering pay.

13 May 2026 6 min

Benefits and support for single parents

The benefits and support available for single parents: Universal Credit, Child Benefit, childcare help, free school meals, and why child maintenance does not reduce them.

13 May 2026 6 min

Extra benefits and help when your child is disabled

The benefits and support available when your child is disabled: DLA, the Universal Credit disabled child element, carer support, Motability and practical help.

12 May 2026 6 min

Free school meals: who qualifies and the September 2026 expansion

From September 2026, free school meals in England extend to every child in a household on Universal Credit. Who qualifies, the £7,400 limit removal, and how to apply.

11 May 2026 6 min

Healthy Start: free vouchers for milk, food and vitamins

Healthy Start gives a prepaid card for healthy food and milk, plus free vitamins, worth £4.65 or £9.30 a week from April 2026. Who can claim and how to apply.

10 May 2026 6 min

Sure Start Maternity Grant: a £500 lump sum for a new baby

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off £500 payment for a new baby that never has to be repaid. Who can claim, the first child rule, and how to apply in time.

9 May 2026 6 min

Free childcare hours in England: what you're entitled to in 2026

Free childcare hours in England in 2026: 15 hours for all 3 and 4 year olds, 30 hours for working parents from 9 months, help for 2 year olds, and how to apply.

8 May 2026 6 min

The High Income Child Benefit Charge: should you still claim?

The High Income Child Benefit Charge claws back Child Benefit over £60,000. How the charge works, the £80,000 point, and why you should usually still claim.

7 May 2026 6 min

Child Benefit explained: rates, who claims and how to apply

Child Benefit is £27.05 a week for your eldest child in 2026/27. Who can claim, how to apply, the National Insurance credits, and why higher earners should still claim.

6 May 2026 6 min