Support for parents after losing their job

If you have children, UC includes a child element on top of the standard allowance. The amount depends on age and how many children you have. Most children born before 6 April 2017 receive an element; the two-child limit applies to most later children, with some exceptions.

• Higher rate for first child born before 6 April 2017
• Standard rate for other eligible children
• Disabled child addition for children receiving DLA or PIP
• Exceptions to the two-child limit for multiple births, adoption, kinship care and non-consensual conception

UC can reimburse up to 85% of your childcare costs, capped monthly. To qualify, both partners in a couple usually need to be working — but the rules allow flexibility if you're actively looking for work or on a training course. Tax-Free Childcare is an alternative that gives £2 for every £8 you put in, up to £2,000 per child per year.

• 15 hours for all 3 and 4 year olds in England
• 30 hours for 3 and 4 year olds with working parents (earnings rules apply)
• From September 2025: 30 hours for working parents of 9-month to 4-year-olds (rollout phased)
• Devolved nations have separate schemes with different age cut-offs

Job-seeker parents are not always excluded — some councils run discretionary free places for low-income or disadvantaged families. Ask your local authority.

• Free school meals — usually for households on UC with earnings under £7,400 a year (income from work, before benefits)
• School uniform grants — many councils offer one-off grants of £50–£200
• Pupil Premium — paid to the school, not the family, but indicates extra support available
• Bursary support for 16–19 year olds — paid by the school or college

Healthy Start gives a prepaid card worth £4.25 per week per child under 4, plus £4.25 per week during pregnancy and the first year. It can be spent on milk, fruit, vegetables and infant formula. You qualify if you're on UC with monthly earnings under £408. Apply online at healthystart.nhs.uk.

• If you have a baby: Sure Start Maternity Grant pays £500 for the first child, payable on UC.
• If your child has SEND: check whether they qualify for DLA — it can also unlock the disabled child element of UC.
• If you share custody: the parent receiving Child Benefit is usually the one who claims the UC child element.
• If your child turns 19: the child element ends from the September after their 19th birthday.
• If you have a teenager: extra costs like equipment and travel can be covered by 16–19 bursary funds.
• If you have childcare arrears: UC childcare costs are reimbursed in arrears — speak to your provider about deferring while UC catches up.

• Apply for UC and make sure all children are listed on the claim.
• Apply for free school meals through your local council's website.
• Apply for Healthy Start if you have children under 4 or are pregnant.
• Use the checker to see your full indicative entitlement as a family.