Working out what benefits and rights you’re entitled to and making claims isn’t always easy. You can get advice from the following organisations:
- Your local Jobcentre Plus, Citizens Advice Bureau, library or other advice centre.
- Some local authorities have welfare rights officers. Phone your social services department and ask.
- Some voluntary organisations offer information and advice on benefits and rights at work. Try Gingerbread and Working Families.
- For advice on rights at work, call ACAS on 0845 747 4747.
- The Money Advice Service is designed to help new parents plan their finances. Their website covers budgeting, state benefits, coping with the cost of bringing up children and childcare, maternity and paternity rights, savings and work. You can also call their telephone helpline on 0300 500 5000.
General information on benefits
Below are some links to the Directgov website, which you may find useful if you're expecting a child or already have one. The links will direct you to the most up-to-date information about parental rights and benefits.
For example, if you're working when you become pregnant, and you meet certain conditions, you have the right to receive Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) when you have your baby.
You may also qualify for benefits such as Child Benefit, Child Tax Credits or Working Tax Credits.
Financial support for parents and children includes information on:
- Lone parents
- Cost of your child’s education
- Help with preschool costs
- Financial help for parents in education
- Child Trust Fund
- Child Benefits
- Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit
- Bereavement Payment
- Bereavement Allowance
- Funeral Payments
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance
Financial help for families on a low income includes information on:
- Sure Start Maternity Grants
- Community Care Grants
- Crisis Loans
- Budgeting Loans
Pregnancy and maternity rights in the workplace includes information on:
- Working when pregnant
- Maternity leave
- Maternity pay
- Taking maternity leave
- Returning to work
Paternity rights in the workplace includes information on:
- Paternity leave and pay
- Taking your paternity leave and pay
- Returning to work
Parental leave and flexible working includes information on:
- Parental leave
- Taking your parental leave
- Compassionate leave
- Flexible working
Adoption rights in the workplace includes information on:
- Adoption leave and pay
- Taking your adoption leave
- Overseas adoption leave and pay
Other useful websites
You may also find the following websites useful:
