UK Benefits Checker

What Benefits Could You Claim?

Answer a few quick questions to see which UK benefits and grants you may be entitled to as a new or expectant parent.

Tell us about your situation

Are you currently pregnant or do you have children?

I'm pregnant (10+ weeks)

Child under 1 year

Child aged 1-4

Child aged 5-16

Is this your first child (or first pregnancy)?

Yes

Are you (and your partner, if applicable) currently working?

Working means employed or self-employed, earning at least £195/week (16 hrs at minimum wage)

Yes (both/single)

One parent only

Not working

What's your household income situation?

Low income (on Universal Credit or similar benefits)

Medium income (not on benefits, earning under £100k each)

Higher income (one or both earning over £100k)

Are you currently receiving any of these benefits?

Universal Credit

Income Support

Income-related ESA

Income-based JSA

Pension Credit

Child Tax Credit

Where do you live?

England

Wales

Scotland

N. Ireland

You may be entitled to...

Based on your answers, here are the benefits you could claim. Always check official guidance for full eligibility.

Potential Annual Value

£0

Benefits Available

Child Benefit

A regular payment to help with the costs of raising a child. Available to all parents/guardians regardless of income.

Current Rates (2025/26)

£26.05/week for first child • £17.25/week for additional children

That's £1,354/year for your first child

Apply on GOV.UK

Tip: Even if you earn over £60,000 and have to pay the High Income Child Benefit Charge, still register to protect your National Insurance credits for your State Pension.

Sure Start Maternity Grant

A one-off £500 payment to help with baby costs. For your first child, or if expecting multiples.

One-Off Payment

£500

No need to pay it back

Check eligibility

Claim window: From 11 weeks before due date up to 6 months after birth. In Scotland, apply for Best Start Grant instead (up to £707.25).

NHS Healthy Start

A prepaid card for milk, fruit, vegetables, and infant formula. Plus free vitamins.

Weekly Payments

£4.25/week during pregnancy (from week 10)

£8.50/week for children under 1

£4.25/week for children 1-4

Pregnant + baby under 1 = £12.75/week (£663/year)

Apply online

Who qualifies: Must be on Universal Credit (with take-home pay ≤£408/month), or other qualifying benefits. Under 18s automatically qualify when pregnant. In Scotland, apply for Best Start Foods instead.

Tax-Free Childcare

Government tops up your childcare savings by 25%. For every £8 you pay in, they add £2.

Annual Savings

Up to £2,000/year per child

(£4,000 if child is disabled)

Apply on GOV.UK

Important: You can't claim Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit at the same time. For many on UC, the childcare element (85% of costs) may be better value. Use the government calculator to compare.

Free Childcare Hours

Government-funded childcare for working parents. From September 2025, up to 30 hours/week from 9 months old.

Annual Savings (from Sept 2025)

Up to £7,500/year

30 hours/week × 38 weeks = 1,140 free hours

From 9 months: 30 hours/week (if both parents working)

All 3-4 year olds: 15 hours/week universal (everyone)

2 year olds on benefits: 15 hours/week

Check eligibility

Remember: Apply via the childcare account. You'll need to reconfirm eligibility every 3 months. Hours can be "stretched" over 52 weeks instead of term-time only.

UC Childcare Element

If you're on Universal Credit and working, you can claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs.

Maximum Monthly Help

Up to £1,031.88/month for 1 child

Up to £1,768.94/month for 2+ children

That's up to £12,382/year for one child

Learn more

Better than Tax-Free Childcare? For most families on UC, this 85% refund beats the 20% Tax-Free Childcare top-up. You can also get upfront help from DWP to cover initial childcare costs.

Free NHS Prescriptions & Dental

In England, pregnant women and new mums get free prescriptions and NHS dental care.

Duration

Throughout pregnancy + 12 months after birth

Current prescription cost: £9.90 each

Get MatEx certificate

How to claim: Ask your midwife or GP for a Maternity Exemption Certificate (FW8 form). Scotland, Wales and NI already have free prescriptions for everyone.

Answer the questions above

We'll show you which benefits you may be entitled to based on your situation.

This is a guide only. Eligibility rules are complex and depend on your exact circumstances. Always check the official GOV.UK guidance or speak to Citizens Advice for personalised advice.

Benefit rates shown are for the 2025/26 tax year and may change. Some benefits cannot be claimed together (e.g. Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit).

Useful resources: GOV.UK Benefits Calculator • Turn2Us Calculator • EntitledTo

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