Child poverty rates in the UK are high and getting higher. We’ve put together all of the ways we’ve found to help families and children during this very difficult time.

We will update the list when we discover new opportunities to save money or new support funds become available, and we will continue to connect customers to as many of them as possible during our calls.

Families and children

  • Child benefit - Anyone earning under £50k a year should receive £24 a week for their first/only child and £15.90 a week for additional children. To check if you are eligible and to make an application, use this link.

  • Healthy Start vouchers - for parents with children under 4 years old and who are on low income, the Government provides money towards healthy food as well as free vitamins for children. Use this link to check eligibility and to apply.

  • Uniform grants - some local authorities offer money towards school uniform. This link provides the most up to date information on how much is offered by different authorities.

  • Free school meals - this is done slightly differently depending on your local authority, but if you are on benefits and earn less than £7,400 a year (not including benefits) then your child may be eligible. Use this link to find out more.

  • Maternity grants - a £500 grant to help with the cost of having a child. You must be claiming benefits - here is a link to eligibility criteria and the application form.

  • Household Support Fund - every local authority has been given given funding to help people in need with energy, water, food and essential items. Use this link to find out more and see how your local area is operating the fund

  • Buttle - offers Chances for Children grants of up to £2,400 to children who have experienced a significant crisis. Use this link to check eligibility and find out more.

  • Benefits checker - make sure you are getting the correct benefits by using this free service from TURN2US to make sure you are getting everything you are entitled to.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

DISABLED CHILDREN

  • Family Fund grants - this organisation offers a variety of grants for families living with disabled children under the age of 17. The money can be spent on wide variety of goods and services such as computers, toys, holiday clubs, bikes and lots more. Click here to find out about available grants.

  • Disability Living Allowance - this is between £26.90 and £172.50 a week and depends on the level of help the child needs. Use this link to check eligibility and to apply.

  • Little Lives UK - this wonderful charity offers community support programmes, mental health support and access to technology support and devices. Click here to find out more.

  • Kids - offers a huge range of support for children living with SEND (special education needs and disabilities). Find out more here.

OTHER HELP AND SUPPORT

  • Action for Children - this fantastic charity offer a wide range of support services for parents and children, from children’s centres to youth employment support to support for disabled children - use this link to find what support is available near you.

  • Barnardo’s - is another wonderful children’s charity that lists all the support available near you via this link.

  • Home Start - is a network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through challenging times. Find out ways then can help here.

  • Food and restaurant deals - find the latest discounts here showing where kids eat free and big savings at supermarkets.

  • Help with beds - Zarach is a charity that provides beds for children - they operate out of Leeds and work in these locations. Referrals needs to be made from a registered partner and/or school.

  • Help with baby essentials - Baby Basics is a wonderful organisation that distributes items such as cots, pushchairs and Moses Baskets packed with items for baby and toiletries for Mum. Contact your local Baby Basics centre for more information.