Children's costs

Universal Credit (UC) has replaced tax credits for childcare for most people. If you already get tax credits for childcare, you do not need to do anything now. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in England, Scotland and Wales or Department for Communities (DfC) in Northern Ireland will contact you when it is time to change your claim.

If you get UC, your payment can include an amount to help with childcare costs. You and any partner living with you must be working or have a job offer. You can claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs for children under the age of 17. But there is a time limit on this.

You can use this money to help pay:

• registered childminders, nurseries and nannies
• registered after-school clubs and play schemes
• registered schools
• home care workers working for a registered home care agency.

Housing Benefit does not help with childcare costs. But some of your childcare costs can be removed from the household income used to calculate Housing Benefit and council tax reduction. This means you could get more money.

You may also be able to get help with looking after children. This could be from:

• social services – contact your local council in England, Scotland or Wales, or Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland
• charities such as Home-Start
• family and friends.

If this is possible for you, flexible working  may also help. This may include changes to your working hours. We have more information about your rights at work when you are affected by cancer.

We have more information about other benefits and financial support available.

If you have children, you may be able to get help with costs for school meals, clothing and travel. The help you can get depends on your individual situation and where in the UK you live.

There are different rules about free school meals across the UK:

• In England, school meals are free for all children at state school in reception, year 1 and year 2.
• In Scotland, school meals are free for all children in primary school years 1, 2 and 3.
• In Wales, all primary school children can have a free school breakfast.
• In Northern Ireland, contact the Education Authority in your area to find out whether your child qualifies and how to apply.

In all parts of the UK, school meals are free for children whose parents or carers get certain benefits. These include:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit
• Universal Credit (UC), if your household income is less than a certain amount a month or year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)
• Child Tax Credit (in certain cases)
• Working Tax Credit run-on, paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit.

In England, Scotland or Wales, contact your local council to find out whether your child qualifies and how to apply. You can find your local council’s contact details at GOV.UK.

In Northern Ireland, contact the Education Authority in your region.

Many local councils give grants for school uniform, including sports kits, to families on a low income. If your council does not offer help, you can ask your child’s school.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, you may be able to get a school uniform grant. The criteria are like those for free school meals.

In England, Scotland or Wales, contact your local council to find out what help is available in your area and how to apply for it. You can find your local council’s contact details at GOV.UK.

In Northern Ireland, contact the Education Authority in your region.

Your local school, college or council, or the Education Authority in Northern Ireland may be able to help you with school travel costs. Contact them for more details.

If you are aged over 16, you may be able to get help with your education costs.

Educational Maintenance Allowance

Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) is only available in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

This allowance helps young people aged 16 to 19 to stay in education. Whether you qualify depends on your household income. This is the income of adults who are responsible for you. This money is paid into your bank account every 2 weeks. It does not affect any benefits your household is getting.

In Scotland, contact your school, college or local council. Visit mygov.scot for more information.

In Wales, call 0300 200 4050 or visit studentfinancewales.co.uk to download an application form.

In Northern Ireland, you can download a form at nidirect.gov.uk or collect one from your school, college or local Social Security or Jobs and Benefits office. If you have any queries, call the Education Maintenance Allowance helpline on 0300 200 7089.

16 to 19 bursary fund

The 16 to 19 bursary fund is only available to students in England.

Students aged 16 to 19 who might struggle with the cost of full-time education or training may be eligible for a bursary. It can be used for costs like clothing, books, equipment, transport and lunch. It is not available to people at university. For more information visit GOV.UK.

You can speak to your school, college, academy or training provider about how to apply for a bursary.

Learner Support

Some colleges, including sixth form colleges, have loans, grants or funds to help people aged 19 or over with learning costs.

In some cases, this will come from the Learner Support scheme. The funds are for those facing financial hardship. They can be used to help with things like:

• accommodation and travel
• course materials and equipment
• childcare - you must be aged 20 or over to qualify for help with childcare costs.

Check with your college to see if this option is available to you. For more information, visit GOV.UK.