Childcare and maternity cost of living support from the government

Cost of living support

Contents

• Overview
• Benefits, tax and work
• Living costs: bills, housing and health
• If you're 60 or over
• If you're disabled or have a health condition
• Childcare and maternity costs
• Managing money, savings and debt
• If you're finding things difficult

Remember - if you are struggling, you are not alone and there is no shame in asking for help. Everyone needs a little bit of extra support at some point in their lives. 

Support you can get

Child Benefit

If you're responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training) you can get help with child-related costs. Check if you're eligible for Child Benefit.

Tax-Free Childcare

If you need help with the costs of childcare, check if you're eligible for Tax-Free Childcare.

Free childcare for 2 to 4-year-olds if you're working

If you're working and your child is aged 2 to 4, check if you're eligible for free childcare.

15 hours free childcare a week for 3 to 4-year-olds

All 3 to 4-year-olds can get free childcare. Find out about 15 hours free childcare a week.

Free childcare for 2-year-olds

If you get certain benefits and your child is 2 years old, check if you're eligible for free childcare.

Universal Credit and childcare

If you're getting Universal Credit you can claim back some of your childcare costs. Find out about support available with childcare if you're on Universal Credit.

Support with food and milk for your child

Free school meals

Your child may be able to get free school meals. Check if your child is eligible for free school meals on your council's website.

Healthy Start (food and milk for your child)

If you're more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 and you're getting certain benefits you can get help to buy healthy food and milk. Check if you're eligible for help to buy food and milk for your child on the NHS website.

Support with maternity costs

Maternity Allowance

You may be eligible for Maternity Allowance, if:

• you're employed but cannot get Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)
• you're self-employed
• you've recently stopped working

Check if you're eligible for Maternity Allowance.

Sure Start Maternity Grant

If you or your partner get certain benefits and you're having a child check if you're eligible for a Sure Start Maternity Grant.

Support with travel costs

Home to school transport

Find out if your child is eligible for help with the cost of home to school transport.

Family and Friends Railcard

If you travel by rail with your children check if you're eligible for Family and Friends Railcard on the National Rail website.

Continue reading

• Cost of living support
• Heating and energy support
• Food and shopping support
• Money and financial support
• Housing and homelessness support
• Mental health support
• Employment and training support
• Children, young people and families
• Help and support for carers
• Warm and welcoming spaces
• Free internet and wi-fi access support
• Travel and transport
• Help from the government - view all of the cost of living support schemes that you could be eligible for and apply today

How to submit an organisation or community group to this website

If you are an organisation or community group and can help support people living in Plymouth, please complete our online form, and we will add you to this directory.

Submit your offer of help and support 

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