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  • Expecting or bringing up child
    • Carer's Credit
    • Child Benefit
    • Childcare costs
    • Child Tax Credit
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    • Healthy Start Food Vouchers
    • Income Support
    • Maternity Allowance
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    • Statutory Maternity Pay
    • Statutory Paternity Pay
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Expecting or bringing up a child

Who is this section for?

Anyone who is expecting or bringing up a child.

What does it include?

Information about benefits for people who are expecting or bringing up a child, including who can claim them, how much you can get, how to apply, and where to go for further help.

Make sure you are claiming everything you are entitled to.

If you have children who are students (either school age or in further/higher education, see also Education costs. If your children are aged 16-25 see also Young people.

How to use this section

The left-hand navigation bar gives you a comprehensive list of the contents of this section. Click on the links to go to each page.  Some key benefits are also are described in the boxes below.

• Expecting, recently had or adopted a child

  See Maternity Allowance, Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay, Sure Start Maternity Grant, Healthy Start Food Vouchers/Free Vitamins

• Dependant children

  You might be entitled to Child Benefit, Guardian's Allowance, Child Tax Credit, Income Support, help with travel to school, school clothing or free school meals.

• Childcare costs

  Help might be available if you are in work, looking for work, or studying.

• Carer's Credit

  Discover whether you might be able to claim this benefit which credits carers with national insurance contributions.

• Useful links

  Discover the resources and organisations that help you with further information on issues relating to expecting or bringing up a child.