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Financial help for families on a low income

If you are on a low income you may be able to get financial help, depending on your circumstances.

Sure Start Maternity Grants

A Sure Start Maternity Grant is a payment of £500 which does not have to be paid back.

The rules have changed for babies that are:

  • due on or after 11 April 2011
  • born on or after 11 April 2011
  • adopted or in similar arrangements on or after 11 April 2011

The rules for your new baby and any other babies born at the same time

You can only get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if there are no other children under 16 years in your family.

The rules for your dependant childs new baby and any other other babies born at the same time

You can only get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if your dependant is under 20 yrs and has no other children.

To qualify, you or your partner must be receiving either Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or State Pension Credit. Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element or Working Tax Credit where a disability or severe disability is included in the award:

  • if you, your partner, or dependant child are expecting a baby or have just had a baby, you or your partner should claim any time from 11 weeks before the baby is due until three months after the baby is born, including a still-born child where the pregnancy lasted after week 24
  • if you are not the mother but have become the responsible parent of a baby, you should claim within three months of becoming the responsible parent. The baby must not be more than one year old when you claim
  • if you or your partner have an adoption order, a residence order or a parental order for the baby, you should claim within three months of the order being granted. The baby must not be more than one year old when you claim
  • if you or your partner have been appointed guardian of a baby, you should claim within three months of the guardianship taking effect. The baby must not be more than one year old
  • if a baby has been placed with you for adoption, you should claim within three months of the date the baby is placed with you. The baby must not be more than one year old when you claim
  • if you have adopted a baby overseas you should claim within three months of the adoption taking effect or being recognised. The baby must not be more than one year old when you claim

Funeral Payment

A Funeral Payment can help with the costs of a funeral which you or your partner have taken responsibility to arrange.

To qualify, one of you must be receiving either Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, State Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit payable at a rate higher than the family element, or Working Tax Credit where the Disability or severe Disability Element is included in the award or Housing Benefit.

The payment is recoverable from any money available from the deceased person's estate.

Ask at your local Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office for the SF200 Funeral Payment claim form.

Community Care Grants

A Community Care Grant does not have to be paid back.

To be eligible you must be getting either Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, State Pension Credit or payment on account of one of these, or are likely to get one of these benefits or entitlements when you expect to move out of residential or institutional accommodation within six weeks.

Grants may be awarded to help if:

  • you're moving out of residential or institutional care to live independently
  • you're moving to a new home which will be more suitable for you following an unsettled period in your life and are being resettled by an organisation like a local council or voluntary organisation
  • you need help to stay in your home and not go into residential care or hospital
  • you need help because you or your family face exceptional pressure, such as family breakdown or because one of you has a long-term illness
  • you look after someone who is ill or has a disability, or has been released from custody on temporary licence
  • you need help with expenses such as visiting someone who is ill, or to attend a relative's funeral

Ask at your local Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office for the SF300 Community Care Grant claim form.

Budgeting Loans

Budgeting loans are interest free - you can apply to borrow between £100 and £1,500 for the cost of things other than regular expenses; for example furniture, household equipment, clothing, footwear, things to help you look for, or start work.

To be eligible you or your partner must have been getting Income Support, income based Jobseeker's Allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance, State Pension Credit or payment on account of one of these, for at least 26 weeks.

Ask at your local Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office for SF500 Budgeting Loan claim form.

Crisis Loans

Crisis Loans are interest-free and can help if there is a serious risk to the health and safety of you or your family following an emergency or disaster. You do not need to be getting any benefits but you must be over the age of 16. Whether you can get a Crisis Loan will depend on your particular circumstances.

Ask at your local Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office if you wish to apply.

Cold Weather Payment

If you're on a low income, a Cold Weather Payment may be available to help you for each week of very cold weather in your area.

Tax credits

Tax credits are payments from the government. If you're responsible for at least one child or young person who normally lives with you, you may qualify for Child Tax Credit. If you work, but earn low wages, you may qualify for Working Tax Credit.

The amount of tax credits you get depends on things like:

  • how many children you have living with you
  • whether you work - and how many hours you work
  • if you pay for childcare
  • if you or any child living with you has a disability
  • if you're aged 50 plus and are coming off benefits

Your payments also depend on your income. The lower your income, the more tax credits you can get.

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