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Bringing up a child

If you are bringing up a child, there may be benefits, grants or other financial support available to you.

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Benefits

If you are bringing up a child, there may be benefits available to you.

Related information

To check what benefits you might be entitled to quickly and easily, you can use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator

To read more about the benefits available for people who are bringing up a child, select from the list.

Benefits Calculator

To check what benefits you might be entitled to quickly and easily, you can use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator.

Child Benefit

If you are responsible for bringing up a child aged under 16 or a young person aged under 20 if they are still in full-time education up to A level or equivalent, or on certain approved training courses.

Universal Credit

If you are aged between 16 and pension age and on a low income or aren't working. It includes amounts for children. For new claimants, Universal Credit replaces the help that used to be given through Child Tax Credits. People claiming Universal Credit are usually expected to look for work. There are special rules for parents.

Child Tax Credit

If you are 16 or over and responsible for bringing up a child aged under 16 or a young person aged under 20 if they are still in full-time education up to A level or equivalent, or on certain approved training courses. Child Tax Credit is being replaced by Universal Credit. Only people already getting Working Tax Credit can make new claims for Child Tax Credit. 

Guardian's Allowance

If you are bringing up a child whose parents have died or one has died and the other is unable to look after them in certain circumstances. You have to also be getting Child Benefit for the child.

Foster carers and benefits

Read this guide if you're fostering a child.

Scottish Child Payment

The Scottish Child Payment is a payment for families with children living in Scotland.

Grants

Grants Search

To find out what help may be available from grant giving charities, you can use the Turn2us Grants Search.

Educational Trusts' Forum

If circumstances such as parental or guardian bereavement, ill health or unemployment has interrupted the educational path to the detriment of the emotional development and educational progress of your child or a child in your care, visit the Educational Trusts Forum to search for financial grants to assist these vulnerable children with their education.

Advice and support

Turn2us is unable to offer advice on individual situations. To find an adviser in your area to discuss your situation with, you can use the Turn2us Find an Adviser.

Other help

Find useful resources and tools below.