Taking care of a family is expensive and many parents find it difficult to budget and save each month. Financial worries can cause huge amounts of stress and leave parents feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope. Fortunately, there are plenty of financial schemes designed to support struggling parents and their families. Here are some of the places you can turn if you need a helping hand:
Maternity
Growing Power states that “you can apply for a £500 voucher through Sure Start if you are pregnant with your first child, or you already have children but are expected twins or triplets and you or your partner are on benefits.” If you are employed, then you will be entitled to Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) as long as you were employed for at least 26 weeks when you provided notice of your pregnancy. You must provide your employer with notice at least 15 weeks before your due date. Under SMP, you will receive 90% of your weekly pre-tax salary for the first six weeks of your maternity leave. You will continue to receive support for 33 weeks and then financial assistance will stop. Some employers offer additional maternity payments and perks, but you will need to check the terms with your manager.
Childcare
The average cost of sending a child to a nursery full-time is £252 according to the Money Advice Service. Paying for childcare is a huge expense for most parents, especially for those who do not have family members that can help with childcare. Luckily, there are several schemes designed to help parents get back into work and pay for childcare. The number of free childcare hours you receive will depend on various factors including your location and financial situation. For instance, all children between the ages of 3 and 4 are entitled to 570 hours of free childcare a year. This equates to roughly 15 hours a week over 37 weeks. Low-income families may be entitled to 30 hours of childcare a week if they meet the eligibility criteria.
Child benefit
Child benefit is financial aid that can help you cover the costs of having children. If you are eligible, then you will receive £21.05 a week for your first child and then £13.95 for every child you have after. This money can be used on anything including food, toiletries, toys, clothes, or days out with your family. There are a few conditions to be aware of when it comes to child benefit. Firstly, only one parent can apply for child benefit. This means that parents who are separated cannot both claim child benefit payments, even when they live in separate households.
Conclusion
If you are struggling to make ends meet, then you are not alone. Lots of families find it difficult to manage their finances and overcome money issues like debt. The good news is, there is lots of financial aid that can help you and your family. Make sure that you take advantage of the financial aid available and make the most out of your money.
DISCLOSURE – This is a collaborative post.
