Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods in Scotland
Scotland
Scottish family payments can support pregnancy, early years and healthy food purchases.
PublicHelp.co.uk
Guides
Explore support guides by theme
Browse 79 published guides by life situation. Some guides appear in more than one theme because their advice covers several needs. Always check the original provider for current rules.
Family & children
Childcare, pregnancy and support for parents and children.
Child Benefit: applying and reporting changes
UK
Child Benefit may help with the cost of raising a child.
Child Maintenance: arrangements and support
UK
Child maintenance supports the cost of raising children when parents live separately.
Childcare support: compare your options
UK
Help with registered childcare costs can depend on employment, benefits, the child's age and your nation.
Free Childcare for Working Parents in England — practical guide
England
Some eligible working parents can obtain funded childcare hours for children from nine months to school age.
Free school meals: how to check locally
UK - rules vary by nation
Children may qualify for free school meals depending on their circumstances and local rules.
Healthy Start: food and vitamins for families
England, Wales and Northern Ireland
Healthy Start may help eligible families buy certain foods and access vitamins.
Healthy Start: food and vitamins for young families — practical guide
England
Healthy Start supports eligible pregnant people and families with young children in buying specified healthy food and accessing vitamins.
How to choose childcare financial support in England
england
Compare Free Childcare for Working Parents and Tax-Free Childcare before applying. Eligibility depends on the child, work, income and immigration status. Universal Credit childcare payments follow separate…
Maternity Allowance: help around childbirth
England, Scotland and Wales
Maternity Allowance may support people who do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay.
Scottish Child Payment: support for families
Scotland
Scottish Child Payment may support eligible families responsible for children under 16.
Sure Start Maternity Grant: essential baby costs
England and Wales
This one-off grant may help with some costs of a new baby.
Tax-Free Childcare: check whether it fits
UK
Tax-Free Childcare can contribute towards approved childcare bills for eligible working families.
Universal Credit: reimbursement of childcare costs — practical guide
England
Universal Credit may reimburse part of eligible registered childcare costs linked to paid work.