Is this what you were after chaps?
It's very rare to get something for nothing in life. So when the government decides to hand out cash it's time to grab it with both hands. Despite this, millions of pounds worth of benefits go unclaimed each year, mainly because people do not realise that they are entitled to claim. With extra mouths to feed, it all helps.
Child Benefit
Any parent, regardless of earnings or National Insurance contributions, can claim Child Benefit. The tax-free payments are currently £17.00 a week for your first child and £11.40 a week for any other children. You should start claiming Child Benefit within three months of your baby's birth as your claim will not be backdated for by more than this. Payments will continue until the child is at least 16 years old.
Your local job centre or post office will provide claim forms and you will need to submit these with your child's birth certificate, which will be returned to you. The benefit will then be paid directly into your bank or building society account or by cheque. Payments are usually made once a month but single or low income parents can claim weekly payments.
Free NHS prescriptions and dental care
During your pregnancy and for 12 months after the birth of your child, you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions and NHS dental treatment. Your child also qualifies for free prescriptions until they reach the age of 16. Your doctor or midwife can provide the necessary forms.
Child Tax Credit
Most parents - even higher rate taxpayers - are eligible for monthly Child Tax Credit payments in addition to any Child Benefit. The opportunity to claim this tax credit is often overlooked by parents but nine out of 10 families qualify for it.
The value of the credit depends on how much you earn and payments are slightly higher for children under the age of one. As with Child Benefit, you should start claiming the Child Tax Credit within three months of your child's birth.
Working Tax Credit
Aimed at those on lower incomes, you don't even need children to claim this tax credit but it could provide a useful boost to parents. To be eligible, you need to be working at least 16 hours a week or on maternity leave from paid employment where you usually work for more than 16 hours per week. Payments are usually made through your salary, although it can be paid directly to self employed workers.
The value of this credit depends on how much you earned in the tax year before you apply plus the number and age of your children and whether you pay for registered childcare. It may be increased to help you pay for a registered childminder, nursery, play scheme or out of school club and could cover up to 70% of the costs so is well worth having.
With all tax credit claims, the Inland Revenue Tax Credit Helpline can confirm your eligibility and how much you will receive and also send you the relevant forms. Call 0845 300 3900.
The Child Trust Fund
This is designed to give children a head start and will come into effect in April 2005. Every child born on or after 1 September 2002 will be sent a voucher for £250 to be invested in a special savings account called a Child Trust Fund. Children from low income families will receive £500. Parents, families and friends can top up the fund by as much as £1,200 a year tax-free. The money will be made available to the child when he or she reaches the age of 18. Child Trust Fund accounts are available from banks, building societies and other financial organisations.
Other benefits
In addition to the ones highlighted, there are many other benefits available to parents, depending on their circumstances. If you're looking for work or managing on a very low income, you can apply for Income-based Jobseekers Allowance. If you are working part-time or are not able to look for work whilst pregnant or nursing, you may be entitled to Income Support. There are also various grants or loans available from the government's Social Fund for those under exceptional financial pressure plus free vitamins, milk, formula milk and help with the cost of getting to and from hospital for antenatal care.
Financial experts at the Children's Mutual have put together The Essential Guide to Money for Parents , a straightforward booklet to help parents understand their benefit entitlements. The guide covers benefits in detail and provides contact details for relevant agencies.
'The fact that some parents aren't claiming all the benefits they're entitled to means they are missing out on what could be an important addition to their monthly income,' explains David White, Chief Executive of The Children's Mutual.' We are encouraging parents to claim what has been allocated for them to help with the family finances.'
Since October 2004, the guide has formed part of the Pregnancy Welcome Pack from Global Baby Marketing, which contains free gifts and coupons. It is presented to expectant women through hospital scan units and antenatal clinics. Parents can also request a copy by calling 0500 800 830.
