Benefits and entitlements

If you've never been entitled to benefits before, having a family means you're more than likely to be now.  There's financial help for families available so to make sure you claim for all you're entitled to we've put together this section so you know what's out there. 

  • Large family together in a park

    Child Benefit

    Posted by Lisa Wood

    How do you claim child benefit, who's eligible, where do you get the form and how much do you get?  Plus, will the recently announced Government changes mean that your family loses it entirely in 2013?

  • Tax Credits

    Posted by Lisa Wood

    Tax credits are tax-free income given to many households in the UK with children.  They come either as Child Tax Credits or Working Tax Credits, find out if you're eligible and how you receive them.

  • Tax Credits calculator

    Posted by Lisa Wood

    Not sure if you're entitled to any Tax Credits?  Our Tax Credits calculator can help you work out what you might be entitled to and how much help you may get towards childcare if you're going back to work.

  • Statutory Maternity Pay

    Posted by Lisa Wood

    Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid by employers to women who want to take time off work after giving birth to look after their new baby. If you satisfy a few employment rules you may be eligible, find out what you need to know and how to claim.

  • Two women in park with prams and babies

    Maternity Leave

    Posted by Lisa Wood

    Planning your maternity leave can be quite an exciting and emotional time. For many, not only are you coming to terms with being pregnant but you've got to think about telling your employer, when you want to leave work and even when you'll come back!

  • Baby asleep on parent's chest

    Additional Paternity Leave

    Posted by Simon Lloyd

    From April 2011, fathers can now look after their baby in the first year for up 26 weeks and maintain their Statutory Rights.  Find out if you could be eligible for Additional Paternity Leave and Pay.

  • Maternity pay video still with play button

    Understanding Maternity Pay

    Posted by Lisa Wood

    We know that time is precious so if you've not got time to read everything now, watch our team of mums as they explain the difference between Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance, which one you might be eligible for, how you claim and how much you should receive.

  • Maternity Allowance

    Posted by Lisa Wood

    If you're self-employed, just started working or recently become unemployed you could be entitled to Maternity Allowance find out what you need to do to be eligible.

Video Paternity rights and leave

There is now much greater flexibility surrounding the rights of mothers and fathers (and same-sex partners) to share time off to look after their baby.  Watch our video to find out what you might be entitled to so you can decide what's right for your family.

Paternity Leave and Pay

If you are an expectant dad, and have been employed since before your partner became pregnant you could be entitled to up to two weeks Paternity Leave after the birth, read our article to find out if you're eligible.

Free dental care and prescriptions

Some things in life are free and fortunately during your pregnancy and your baby's first year, dental care and prescriptions are one of them.  Find out how you can claim.

 

Video Maternity leave your rights

Planning your Maternity Leave can be quite a busy time, you've got to think about telling your employer, when you want to leave work and even when you'll come back!  Our video will help you work out if you're entitled to Maternity Leave, when it can start, and what your employer needs to know.

Children's savings

We all want to give our kids the best possible start in life. A practical way to do this is to put some savings aside for them. You can save as much money as you like but there are tax implications that you should be aware of.

from the blog
  1. Tricky Tax Credits

    Posted by Jayne Knights on 21 March 2012

  2. For the benefit of all?

    Posted by Jane Bainbridge on 02 March 2012

  3. Moving on from the Christmas excess

    Posted by Jane Bainbridge on 03 January 2012

  4. Pocket money

    Posted by Jane Bainbridge on 06 December 2011

  5. Real cost of baby paraphernalia

    Posted by Simon Lloyd on 24 November 2011

  6. Expectant fathers and a dose of reality

    Posted by Simon Lloyd on 08 November 2011

View all posts

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