Quids for Kids

Are you confused about what benefits and help you can access?

Look at the circumstance that best describes you, more than one of the circumstances are likely to apply to you and you may be eligible for several benefits;

All Parents
Expecting a baby
You (and your partner) are not working or work less than 16 hours a week
Student
Teenage Parents
Working Parents
Lone Parents
Caring for a sick or disabled child
Useful contacts

All Parents

Child Benefit

Child Benefit is a tax-free payment that you can claim for your child. It is usually paid every four weeks but in some cases can be paid weekly, and there are separate rates for each child. The payment can be claimed by anyone who qualifies, whatever their income or savings.

The only way to claim Child Benefit is to fill in a Child Benefit claim form and send it to the Child Benefit Office along with your child's birth or adoption certificate.

You can find further information and obtain an application form via the following:

Child Tax Credit (CTC)

This is an income related benefit for families with dependent children. You can claim if you are aged over 16 and you are responsible for a child or young person who normally lives with you.  Families with children who are in receipt of Disability Living Allowance will receive additional elements.

If you already receive Child Tax Credits there have been some changes since the 6 April 2011. If your income is more than £16,190, the child element has been reduced–at a rate of 39 per cent. Previously your income could be up to £50,000 before the family element was reduced. This limit has dropped to £40,000 from 6 April 2011. If your income is above this limit your family element will have been reduced.

For more information contact:

Free Early Years Provision (FEYP) for two, three and four year olds

All three and four-year-olds are eligible for up to 15 hours of free early years provision per week for 38 weeks (term time only) of the year free of charge.

Two-year-olds become eligible for a free childcare place the term after their second birthday and must meet a range of criteria to qualify based on their financial circumstances and a range of characteristics based on the family or children. If you qualify, you can access a quality childcare place for up to 10 hours a week, 38 weeks of the year (term time only) and receive family support services.

For further information or an up to date list of early years providers please contact FYi:

Back to top

Expecting a baby

Help with the costs of a new baby - maternity grants

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one off payment towards the cost of maternity and baby items.  You may be entitled to this if you are on a low income and or getting certain benefits of tax credits.  

There have been recent changes to the rules of the Sure Start Maternity Grant and these affect babies that were due on or after, born on or adopted or in similar arrangements on or after 11 April 2011. You are entitled to the grant if you or your partner are in receipt of the following on the date that you claim:

  • Income support
  • Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income related employment and support allowance
  • child tax credit at a rate higher than the family element
  • working tax credit where a disability/sever disability is part of payment

For more information on the Sure Start maternity grant and to download an application form visit: www.direct.gov.uk

Statutory Maternity Pay

Statutory Maternity Pay is paid for a maximum period of 39 weeks. Your employer will usually pay you Statutory Maternity Pay in the same way and at the same time as your normal wages. Maternity Pay is treated as normal pay, so your employer will also deduct tax and National Insurance as usual.

To claim Statutory Maternity Pay you must tell your employer at least 28 days before the date you want to start your Statutory Maternity Pay. Your employer may need you to tell them in writing.

If you can’t get Statutory Maternity Pay, (from any of your employers if you have more than one) you may be able to get Maternity Allowance from Jobcentre Plus instead.

To check your maternity rights, or those of your employees visit: www.direct.gov.uk

Maternity Allowance

If you're pregnant or have a new baby but don't qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP), you may be able to claim Maternity Allowance (MA) through Jobcentre Plus.

MA is paid for a maximum of 39 weeks.

You may be able to get extra money for your husband, civil partner or someone else who looks after your children, if that person is on a very low income.

MA can be paid weekly or every four weeks directly into your bank, building society, Post Office or National Savings account that accepts Direct Payment.

The earliest you can get MA is from the 11th week before the week your baby's due. The latest you can get it is from the day following your child's birth.

You can ask your local Jobcentre Plus for a claim form (Form MA1) or download one. For further information:

Statutory Paternity/Adoption Pay

You can take statutory paternity leave if you:

  • are an employee, with a contract of employment
  • are the biological father of the child or you are the mother’s husband or partner (including same-sex relationships); or you are the child’s adopter or the partner of the adopter
  • have been with your employer for at least 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the start of the week in which you are notified of being matched with your child
  • will be fully involved in the child’s upbringing and are taking the time off to support the mother or care for the baby.

You can take either one week or two consecutive weeks’ paternity leave and during this time may be entitled to Statutory Paternity Pay.

If you are adopting a child you have the same rights to Maternity and Paternity entitlements, including the levels of pay and the eligibility criteria. The partner within the couple who is not taking Adoption Leave is entitled to paid Paternity Leave.

To check your Paternity rights visit:

Keeping in touch days

You are entitled to do up to ten days work during your maternity leave without losing maternity pay or bringing your leave to an end.

These 'keeping in touch days' may only be worked if both you and your employer agree. Although particularly useful for things such as training or team events, they may be used for any form of work and should make it easier to return to work after your leave. You will need to agree with your employer what work is to be done on keeping in touch days and how much pay you will receive.

For further information speak to your employer or look online at: www.direct.gov.uk.

If you are pregnant and want to find out more information on your rights and what benefits you are entitled to visit: www.nhs.uk.

Income Support / Employment Support Allowance (ESA)

Income Support is a means tested benefit that you may be able to claim if you are on a low income. The amount you get will depend on your personal circumstances. Please see the Health Benefits section below to see what other benefits people on Income Support may claim.

To make a claim for Income Support, you can contact Jobcentre Plus contact centre as follows:

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are means tested benefits, which help people on low incomes to pay their rent and Council Tax. Many people think only the unemployed can claim. You can claim if you are working, receiving other benefits, self-employed or a pensioner, renting privately or from the council, living in a hostel, or similar accommodation.

Normally claims for Housing Benefit should be made by the person responsible for paying the rent to the landlord.

For Council Tax Benefit, the person who is liable to pay the Council Tax for the property should make the claim.

To find out what you may be eligible to claim please contact Barnet Council on:

Health Benefits

There are a number of National Health Service (NHS) benefits that parents and carers may claim for their children.

  • women who are pregnant or who have had a baby in the last 12 months will get free prescriptions and free NHS dental treatment with a valid Maternity Exemption Certificate, ask your doctor, nurse, midwife or health visitor for form FW8 which they will sign for you.
  • children under 16 (18 for dental treatment) or under 19 in full-time education and adults who get Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance/Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) are entitled to free prescriptions, dental treatment, eyesight tests and vouchers for glasses.
  • adults on Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance may also get help with fares to hospitals and payments from the Social Fund. (See page 10). Others on a low income may claim help under the Low Income Scheme, with a form from your dentist, optician or GP surgery.

More information on Health Benefits is available as follows:

Healthy Start

You may be entitled to free milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, infant formula and vitamins under the Healthy Start scheme.  You will need to complete an application form and get your midwife, health visitor or registered doctor or nurse to sign it.

For more information on Healthy Start:

Back to top

You and your partner

The Social Fund

When you are on a low income it is very difficult to budget for emergency expenses, funeral costs, the costs of a new baby or one-off payments for large items, such as, furnishing a home. You could also be in a situation where you have no money coming in at all.

There is money available for these situations, although it is limited. This is known as the Social Fund.

The Social Fund is made up of different grants and loans that can assist you if you meet the qualifying criteria.  These are split into two types, the regulated social fund which is made up of no repayable grants and the discretionary social fund which are repayable but interest free.  These can cover funeral payments, maternity grants, crisis loans, budgeting loans, community care grants and cold weather payments. Winter fuel payments are also a type of Social Fund payment, but they are restricted to people aged 60 and over.

All grants and loans as part of the social fund are linked to means-tested qualifying benefits. For further information visit:

For further advice and to discuss whether you are entitled to a social fund payment call Jobcentre Plus on:

  • Tel: 0845 608 8661.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

If you're out of work or working less than 16 hours a week on average, you may be able to get Jobseeker's Allowance.  This is applicable when you have reached a working age.

For more information or to apply online visit:

To find out more contact your local Jobcentre plus on:

  • Tel: 0800 055 6688

Benefits for school aged children

Free school meals

Children of families who receive Income Support, Pension Credits or Income based Job Seekers Allowance are entitled to free school meals, as are those in receipt of Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) if their annual income (assessed by the Inland Revenue) does not exceed a certain amount.

Asylum seekers who receive support under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 are also entitled to free school meals.

Application forms and further information about free school meals can be obtained directly from schools. You can also find further information on the free school meals web page

Travel to school

All children under the age of 18 in full time education are allowed to travel free on London buses. Children aged 14 years and over must apply for an oyster card to prove their age.

The application forms are available from any local post office and there is a one-off administration charge. Further information is available on the free travel to school web page.

Back to top

Students

Financial help for childcare costs whilst studying is mainly available through the education setting that you are attending or your local education authority.   The type of financial assistance you’re entitled to will depend on the qualification you are studying for.  To ensure you find out about all financial help available, contact the Student support service of the education establishment you plan to attend. They will discuss with you your own personal circumstances and needs, and give you advice on what you could claim.

Learner / Childcare Support Fund

Discretionary Support Funds are available in colleges and school sixth forms to help with a variety of costs, including childcare.  The funds are prioritised for those who face financial hardship. If you're at a college, speak to your student support or welfare officer. If you're in a sixth form, get in touch with your tutor or the student support officer.

National Health Service (NHS) Childcare Allowance

All NHS Bursary funded students who have dependent children may apply for Childcare Allowance (CCA) except those who have applied for, or who are only entitled to, a fees only award.

The childcare allowance is based on 85% of your total actual registered or approved

childcare costs up to a maximum amount.  This is an income assessed allowance and the final amount awarded will depend on your circumstances and the income available to you and your family.  Therefore, not all students who apply for Childcare Allowance will be entitled to receive it.

For more information contact the NHS Students helpline:

Professional and Career Development Loan

Professional and Career Development Loans can help you gain the experience, training and qualifications you need to improve your job skills or even launch a new career. You can use it to fund a variety of courses with a wide range of organisations, so you are able to choose the course that best suits your needs. You can apply for a loan if you are employed, self-employed or unemployed.

It is a personal loan between you and the bank, and you are responsible for repaying it to the bank. Before applying for a loan, check how much your monthly repayments will be, and that you feel confident that you will be able to make them.

For more information and advice on Professional and career development loans contact Next Step phone 0800 100 900. You will also be able to obtain an application pack. For general information visit: www.direct.gov.uk/cdl.

Barnet student support - Higher Education

A new national programme was launched from January 2011 and local authorities are no longer responsible for assessing financial support given to students in or entering higher education. All students are now be assessed by Student Finance England, a partnership between the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills and the Student Loans Company Ltd.

For more information and advice is avalable as follows:

Grants and bursaries

The Educational Grants Advisory Service (EGAS) offers a range of services providing information on funding for people in post-16 education in England.

It specialises in identifying funding from charitable trusts and maintains a database of trusts and charities that assist students. It also administers over 30 educational trusts, giving small grants to students who study at institutions that are affiliated to its service.

Help with university or higher education costs

If you're a full-time higher education student with dependent children aged under 15 (under 17 if the child is disabled), you may be able to get extra financial help with the use of registered childcare.  If you qualify the Childcare Grant can pay up to 85 per cent of registered childcare costs over 52 weeks per year.  You can not however claim this grant if you or your partner claims the childcare element of the Working Tax Credit.

To find out more about either of these grants, contact Student Finance England:

To get your copy of the booklet ‘Childcare Grant and other support for full-time student parents in higher education’ contact the publication line:

Skills Funding Agency

The Skills Funding agency provide funding and regulate adult further education and skills training in England.

This enables people to do their jobs better, get new jobs or progress in their careers.

For more information:

Back to top

Teenage parents

Financial help for students aged 16-19 years

The EMA (Educational maintenance allowance) closed to new applicants on 1 January 2011. You will now need to speak to the student support services at your school, college or training provider about getting support through a bursary fund that they hold.

For further information and details of whether you would qualify for financial assistance whilst studying visit: www.direct.gov.uk.

Care to Learn

Parents under 20 who are studying can receive money per child towards childcare costs and associated childcare travel costs. To ensure you get help with associated childcare costs you need to apply at least 28 days before your course starts.

To find out if you qualify ring the Learner Support helpline on:

  • Tel: 0800 121 8989.  

You can also find out more information by visiting:

Young People’s Learning Agency

The role of the Young People's Learning Agency is to support local authorities to commission suitable education and training opportunities for all 16-19 year olds in England. This includes funding and managing the performance of open academies and to provide direct support for learners.

Get in touch with the Learner Support helpline with any questions about:

  • the Adult Learning Grant (ALG)
  • Care to Learn
  • Dance and Drama Awards
  • the Residential Support Scheme for people studying away from home.

For more information:

For more information regarding financial help for young people or to find out how you can speak to a careers advisor visit:

Barnet Youth Support Service

Barnet Youth Support Service can offer advice to young people on a wide range of topics including careers advice, job searching, housing problems, benefits and much more.

For more information:

Back to top

Working Parents

Working Tax Credit

This is an income related benefit paid to working families with dependent children. To claim Working Tax Credit your income must be below a set limit, you must be working at least 16 hours per week and be responsible for a child or young person, who normally lives with you.

Childcare element of the Working Tax Credit

If you work and pay for childcare, you may be eligible to get extra help with the costs. To be eligible for the childcare element of Working Tax Credit:

  • lone parents must work 16 hours or more a week
  • for couples, both partners must work 16 hours a week or more
  • one partner must work 16 hours or more a week if the other is incapacitated.

If you do qualify the actual amount you get will depend on your income. The lower your income, the more tax credits you can get.

Please note: From 6 April 2012 the eligibility criteria for couples will change so that the joint weekly hours worked must be at least 24, with one partner working at least 16 hours a week. Or if only one partner works, they must be working at least 24 hours per week.

The childcare element of WTC can pay up to 70 percent of the cost of registered childcare up to a maximum of £175 a week for one child and £300 for two or more children.

For more information about Working Tax Credit, including the childcare element or if you would like to claim a pack:

Help from your employer

Many employers, especially larger companies, may offer help with childcare for their employees. For example:

Childcare Vouchers

Some employers run a childcare voucher scheme to help you pay for childcare. Childcare vouchers can be offered to you in addition to your cash salary, but many employers offer them as a ‘salary sacrifice’. This means that you sacrifice a specific amount of your salary and in exchange receive that amount in childcare.  Both you and your employer can gain because you do not pay tax or national insurance on the vouchers.

For more information and to carry out a better of calculation to see whether childcare vouchers could benefit you visit:

Back to top

Lone parent

New Deal

The New Deal for Lone Parents programme could help you to find and stay in work if you are a lone parent and:

  • either unemployed or working less than 16 hours per week, and
  • your youngest child is aged under 16 years old

For more information visit your local Jobcentre Plus or visit:  www.direct.gov.uk

Back to top

Caring for a sick or disabled child

Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

If you are caring for a child who has special needs you may be entitled to additional benefits. You may be entitled to additional benefits if you are caring for a child with special needs, these include:

  • a disabled child
  • a child with emotional and behavioural problems or mental health support needs
  • long term illness
  • developmental delay or other learning difficulty

DLA purpose is to help meet the extra costs of bringing up a child with a special need.  It can also be claimed by disabled adults.  DLA is not a means-tested benefit or taxable, they can be paid in addition to most other benefits, and may increase the amount of other benefits you are entitled to.

Further information is available from below:

Carer’s Allowance

You may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance if you look after a child for at least 35 hours per week who receives Disability Living Allowance at the middle or higher rate for personal care.

This benefit is not means-tested, but you cannot claim Carer's Allowance if you are in full-time education with 21 hours or more a week of supervised study or earn more than a certain amount per week after certain deductions have been made (such as Income Tax).

For further information or to make a claim contact your local Jobcentre Plus or call the Carer’s Allowance Unit:

Family Fund

The Family Fund gives grants that relate to the additional needs of your disabled child and which help relieve the stress of everyday life.

For more information or to get an application pack:

Direct Payments

If you are a carer and provide 20 or more hours of support to a disabled person or older adult in Barnet then you may be eligible for a carers Direct Payment.

More information is available fronm below:

For other useful and practical information or to download a copy of the Direct Payments guide visit:

Back to top

Useful contacts

Local advice agencies

  

Citizen’s Advice Bureaux (CAB)

If you are struggling to pay your bills, the borough  expert debt counsellors can help. Their advice is free and confidential or visit the online service.

Barnet Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

  • Advice Line: 0844 826 9336 advice available 10am – 2.30pm Monday to Friday
  • Web: www.barnetcab.org.uk

Local Jobcentre Plus Offices


Barnet Jobcentre Plus

  • Address: Raydean House, 15-17 Western Parade, Great North Road, Barnet, Herts, EN5 1AH

Hendon CAB

Finchley CAB

New Barnet CAB

Grahame Park CAB

Edgware Jobcentre Plus

  • Address: Middlesex House, 29-45 High Road, Edgware, HA8 7DX

Hendon Jobcentre Plus

  • Address: 10 Finchley Lane, London, NW4 1DP

Finchley Jobcentre Plus

  • Address: 40 Ballards Lane, Finchley, London, N3 2BL

Barnet’s Welfare Rights

FYi

FYi is a free information service for families, children and young people up to the age of 20.

National advice agencies

  

Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS)

ACAS offers free, confidential and impartial advice on all employment relations issues.

Child Support Agency

The Child Support Agency deals with applications for child maintenance, including offering advice on how an application will be calculated and the different rules that may apply to an individual’s circumstances.

Contact a Family

Contact a Family is for families who have a disabled child and those who work with them or are interested to find out more about their needs. They can give information, advice and support on benefits and financial assistance available for families with a disabled child.

Daycare Trust

The Daycare Trust website provides hyperlinks with information for parents including; help for student parents, paying for childcare, tax credits and becoming a working parent,

Direct Government

The Government’s public services website. Contains information on tax credits, the Child Trust Fund and other forms of financial support for parents.

Gingerbread

  • Lone Parent Helpline (freephone): 0808 8020925
    (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm/Wednesday 9am-8pm)
  • Web: www.gingerbread.org.uk

The service provides practical support and campaign for single parents.

HM Revenue & Customs

  • Tax Credits Helpline: 0845 300 3900 (Monday-Sunday 8.00am-8.00pm)
  • Textphone: 0845 300 3909,
  • Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk

Gives advice about tax credit entitlements, and on the website there is general information about financial help for families.

Jobcentre Plus

Information about financial support, including tax credits, and help in finding work.

National Health Service (NHS)

You can search on the NHS website for contact details of your local doctor, dentist, optician, antenatal clinic, hospital etc.

National Asylum Support Service

Information on money available to asylum applicants who qualify for help with living costs and who are pregnant or have children under the age of three.

Working Families

Working Families can help parents with information on benefits, debt and a range of flexible working patterns and parents’ rights within the law.

 
  

Back to top





Children, young people and families

email icon Email this pageLast modified by: Lauren Burbidge on 12/12/2011


Contact

FYi
North London Business Park (NLBP)
Oakleigh Road South
London
N11 1NP
Phone Number
0800 389 8312
Text Number (SMS)
07781 473279
Fax Number
020 8359 4156
Typetalk
18001 020 8359 2040
Email
fyi@barnet.gov.uk