Expecting and bringing up children benefits and support
You will find additional information about services, support and information for families with children aged 0 - 19 (up to 25 for adults with SEND) in Redbridge using our Family Services Directory.
Expecting or adopting a child
Statutory Maternity Pay
Statutory Maternity Payment is paid by your employer so that you can take time off work before and after your baby is born.
- Tell me about Statutory Maternity Pay
- Might I qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay?
- How do I claim Statutory Maternity Pay?
- How much Statutory Maternity Pay might I get?
Maternity Allowance
If you take time off work to have a baby but do not qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay from your employer, you may be entitled to Maternity Allowance.
- Tell me about Maternity Allowance
- Might I qualify for Maternity Allowance?
- How do I claim Maternity Allowance?
- How much Maternity Allowance might I get?
Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay
Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay may be paid for up to two weeks by your employer to enable you to take time off work after your partner has had a baby or adopted a child.
- Tell me about Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay
- Might I qualify for Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay?
- How do I claim Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay?
- How much money might I get for Ordinary Statutory Paternity Pay?
Statutory Adoption Pay
If you take time off work when you adopt a child, you may be entitled to Statutory Adoption Pay which is paid by your employer.
- Tell me about Statutory Adoption Pay
- Might I qualify for Statutory Adoption Pay?
- How do I claim Statutory Adoption Pay?
- How much Statutory Adoption Pay might I get?
Sure Start Maternity Grant
If you are receiving certain benefits or Tax Credits, you may be entitled to a one-off payment of Sure Start Maternity Grant to help with the cost of baby things.
- Tell me about Sure Start Maternity Grant
- Might I qualify for Sure Start Maternity Grant?
- How do I claim Sure Start Maternity Grant?
- How much of a Sure Start Maternity Grant might I get?
Healthy Start
If you are getting certain benefits or Tax Credits, are pregnant or have any children under four years, you may be entitled to free milk, fruit, vegetables, infant formula and vitamins.
- Might I qualify for Healthy Start vouchers?
- How do I claim Healthy Start vouchers?
- How many Healthy Start vouchers might I get?
- Easy guide to Healthy Start applications (PDF 0.46MB)
Health costs
While you are pregnant and for the following 12 months, you can get free dental care and prescriptions.
Bringing up children
Child Benefit
Child Benefit is a regular payment that you can normally get if you bring up any children:
- Tell me about Child Benefit
- Might I qualify for Child Benefit?
- How do I claim Child Benefit?
- How much Child Benefit might I get?
Widowed Parent’s Allowance
Widowed Parent's Allowance is a regular payment you may be able to get in addition to Child Benefit if you are bringing up children and your husband, wife or civil partner has died.
- Might I qualify for Widowed Parent's Allowance?
- How do I claim Widowed Parents' Allowance?
- How much Widowed Parent's Allowance might I get?
Guardian’s Allowance
If you are bringing up any children whose parent(s) have died you may be entitled to Guardian's Allowance in addition to Child Benefit
- Tell me about Guardian’s Allowance
- Might I qualify for Guardian's Allowance?
- How do I claim Guardian's Allowance?
- How much Guardian's Allowance might I get?
Tax credits
You can no longer make a new claim for Tax Credits- instead you will be signposted to Universal Credit.
The information below is for those people who have an existing Tax Credit claim
If your income is not above a certain amount and you are:
- bringing up children, you may be able to get Child Tax Credit
- working, you may be able to get Working Tax Credit
- bringing up children and working, you may be able to get both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit.
16-19 bursaries
If your son or daughter is aged between 16 and 19 and think they might struggle with the costs for full-time education or training they may be able to get a bursary.
Care to Learn
Care to Learn is a scheme that could help you with the cost of child care if you are learning and are aged under 20.
- Tell me about Care to Learn scheme
- Might I qualify for Care to Learn?
- How do I claim Care to Learn?
- How much money might I get?
Parents' Learning Allowance
For full-time students with children.
- Tell me about Parents’ Learning Allowance
- Might I qualify for Parents' Learning Allowance?
- How do I claim Parents' Learning Allowance?
- How much Parents' Learning Allowance might I get?
Free school meals
Free school meals are available for all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 at a primary school in Redbridge. From Year 3, if you receive certain benefits, your child may be able to continue to receive free school meals.
Health costs
Children can get free dental care, sight tests and prescriptions, as well as help with the cost of glasses.
