Benefits - Families

Benefits that Support families

Sefton has a dedicated Family Life Toolkit which provides a wide range of services for both children and adults, including housing, education, social care, safeguarding and community support.

In the Council's Cost of Living section of the website there is information about supporting families including school meals and uniform, 

This section provides information about the benefits and support available to families. It covers help with everyday costs such as childcare, housing, and living expenses, for families in a range of situations.

As well as Universal Credit there are other benefits that can support families.

Easy summary - Adoption Leave and Pay

  • Adoption Leave gives time off work for new parents
  • Adoption Pay gives money while caring for a new child
  • It helps families bond and adjust after adoption
  • Parents can choose what works best for them

What is Adoption Leave and Adoption Pay?

Adoption Leave and Adoption Pay are ways the government helps people who adopt a child.

They give:

  • Time off work (Leave)
  • And sometimes money while off work (Pay)

This helps parents spend time with their new child.

Who is it for?

This support is for people who:

  • Are adopting a child
  • Are becoming the child’s main parent

It can include:

  • Single adopters
  • Couples (one person usually gets the leave and pay)

It can also apply when:

  • A child is adopted from the UK
  • A child is adopted from another country

Adoption Leave

What is it?

  • Up to 52 weeks off work
  • Made up of:
    • 26 weeks Ordinary Adoption Leave
    • 26 weeks Additional Adoption Leave

The leave helps parents:

  • Bond with their child
  • Settle into family life

Adoption Pay

Some parents also get money while they are off work.

This is called Statutory Adoption Pay.

To get Adoption Pay, parents usually must:

  • Have worked for their employer long enough
  • Earn enough money each week

The pay:

  • Lasts for up to 39 weeks
  • Helps parents pay for daily needs while caring for their child

Do both parents get leave?

  • Usually, one parent gets Adoption Leave and Pay
  • The other parent may be able to get:
    • Paternity Leave
    • Or Shared Parental Leave

Do parents have to take all the leave?

No.

  • Parents can take less than 52 weeks if they choose
  • They can decide what works best for their family

Does Adoption Pay affect benefits?

Parents can still get other help like:

  • Universal Credit
  • Housing support
  • Council Tax Reduction

Adoption Pay is treated like money from work.

Easy summary - Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay and Leave

Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay and Leave help parents after a child dies.
Parents can take up to 2 weeks off work.
Some parents also get paid during that time.

What is Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay and Leave?

Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay and Leave is support for parents when a child dies.

It gives parents:

  • Time off work (Leave)
  • And sometimes money while they are off (Pay)

Who is it for?

This support is for:

  • Parents
  • Adoptive parents
  • Foster parents (in some cases)
  • Someone who was the main carer

It applies when:

  • A child dies under the age of 18, or
  • A baby is stillborn after late pregnancy (24 weeks)

Parental Bereavement Leave

What is it?

  • Up to 2 weeks off work
  • Time to grieve and be with family

Important things to know:

  • Parents can take the 2 weeks together or separately
  • The leave can be taken within 56 weeks of the child’s death
  • Parents do not need to explain much or give long notice

Statutory Parental Bereavement Pay

Some parents may also get money while they are off work.

To get the pay, parents usually must:

  • Have worked for their employer long enough
  • Earn enough money each week

The pay helps parents:

  • Still have some money coming in
  • Worry a little less while they grieve

Do parents have to take this support?

No.

It is their choice
They can decide when to take the leave
They can take leave even if they do not get the pay

Does it affect other benefits?

No.

Parents can still get other help like:

  • Universal Credit
  • Housing support
  • Council Tax Reduction

Easy summary - Guardian's Allowance

  • Guardian’s Allowance helps children who cannot live with their parents
  • It is paid to the adult who cares for the child
  • It is extra money on top of Child Benefit
  • It helps children grow up safe and supported

What is Guardian’s Allowance?

Guardian’s Allowance is money from the government to help adults who are bringing up a child when the child’s parents are no longer able to care for them.

It is usually paid on top of Child Benefit.

Who is Guardian’s Allowance for?

Guardian’s Allowance is for adults who care for a child when:

  • One or both parents have died, or
  • The parents cannot be found, or
  • The parents cannot look after the child

The adult could be:

  • A grandparent
  • Another family member
  • A long‑term carer

Who is the child?

Guardian’s Allowance is usually for a child who:

  • Is under 16, or
  • Is under 20 and stays in:
    • Full‑time education
    • Approved training

Why do people get Guardian’s Allowance?

Looking after a child costs money.

Guardian’s Allowance helps carers:

  • Buy food and clothes
  • Pay for school needs
  • Look after the child day‑to‑day

Does it depend on money or savings?

No.

  • Guardian’s Allowance is not based on income or savings
  • It can be paid with other benefits

What benefits can it be paid with?

Guardian’s Allowance is usually paid:

  • Together with Child Benefit

It can also be claimed while getting:

  • Universal Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Council Tax Reduction

How is Guardian’s Allowance paid?

  • It is usually paid every 4 weeks
  • The money goes into a bank account 

Easy summary - Universal Credit

 

What is Universal Credit.

Universal Credit is money to help people with living costs.
It is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Universal Credit has replaced some older benefits. These are called legacy benefits.

Legacy benefits include:

  • Housing Benefit
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance (income‑based)
  • Employment and Support Allowance (income‑related)
  • Income Support
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit
Who can get Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is for working‑age people. This includes:

  • Single people
  • Couples
  • Families

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you are:

  • Not working
  • Sick or disabled
  • Working part‑time or full‑time
  • Self‑employed
  • Carers

You can check who can claim by visiting the DWP Universal Credit website.

How to apply

Universal Credit is applied for online.

What you need to apply

Have this information ready before you start:

  • Your National Insurance number
  • Bank or Post Office account details
  • Your rent details and tenancy agreement (if you have one)
  • Details of any savings or money you have
  • Details of any other income
  • Details of other benefits you get
  • If you have a partner, you will need their details too

The form usually takes 20 to 40 minutes to fill in.

Help and advice

Universal Credit Helpline

You can call the DWP for free:

  • Telephone: 0800 328 5644
  • Textphone: 0800 328 1344
  • Open: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Jobcentre Plus

You can get help at your local Jobcentre:

  • Bootle – Stanley Road
  • Crosby – Hougoumont Avenue, Waterloo
  • Southport – 68b Eastbank Street
  • Kirkby – St Chads Drive

Opening times:
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
Wednesday, 10am to 5pm

Citizens Advice – Help to Claim

If you find the form hard to use, Citizens Advice can help.

They offer a free Help to Claim service.

[Contact Citizens Advice about applying for Universal Credit]

 

Extra help for renters

If you rent your home the rent money (called the housing costs element) is paid to you, not to your landlord (unless you have arranged otherwise).  This means you must pay your rent to your landlord yourself.

Sometimes, the rent money you get does not cover all of your rent.

If this happens and you cannot afford to pay the extra amount, you may be able to ask for extra help from the Crisis Resilience Fund. (Link to be added when information is right)

From April 2026 Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) have been replaced by the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF).

You may also see this help called:

  • Crisis Resilience Fund Housing Payments, or
  • Housing Payments

They can help if your Universal Credit does not cover all of your rent.

Each application is looked at case by case, and payments are not guaranteed.

You can find more information in the Related links section of this page.

Easy Summary - Child Benefit

Child Benefit provides regular financial support for families and carers. Even if your income is high, it can still be worth claiming to access National Insurance credits and other advantages.

Child Benefit (UK)

Child Benefit is a tax‑free payment to help with the cost of raising children.

Who can claim

  • Available if you are responsible for a child who is:
    • Under 16, or
    • Under 20 in approved education or training
  • Only one person per child can claim
  • You do not have to be the child’s parent

How much you get (2026–2027)

  • £27.05 per week for your first or only child

  • £17.90 per week for each additional child 

  • Usually paid every 4 weeks into your bank account

  • There is no limit on the number of children you can claim for 

Key points

  • Not means‑tested (income and savings do not affect eligibility)
  • If you or your partner earn over £60,000, you may need to repay some or all through tax (High Income Child Benefit Charge)
  • Claiming can give National Insurance credits, which protect your State Pension

Easy Summary - Childcare costs

Childcare support can include free hours, government top‑ups or help through benefits. The best option depends on whether you are working, your income, and your child’s age, so it is important to check which scheme gives you the most support.

Help with childcare costs (UK)

There are several schemes to help reduce childcare costs, depending on your income, work status and your child’s age.

1. Universal Credit (childcare costs)

For people on a low income who are working

  • Can pay back up to 85% of childcare costs
  • Monthly caps:
    • Up to £1,071.09 for one child
    • Up to £1,836.16 for two or more children
  • Covers:
    • Nurseries
    • Childminders
    • After‑school and holiday clubs
  • You usually pay upfront and claim the money back

2. Tax‑Free Childcare

For working families

  • For every £8 you pay, the government adds £2
  • Up to £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 if disabled)
  • Works through an online childcare account
  • Can be used for:
    • Nurseries
    • Childminders
    • After‑school clubs

3. Free childcare hours

Universal offer

  • 15 hours per week for all 3–4 year olds
  • Available regardless of income 

Working parents

  • Up to 30 hours per week for children aged 9 months to school age (in England)
  • Must meet work and earnings conditions

Additional support

  • Some 2‑year‑olds can get free hours if parents receive certain benefits 

4. Important rules

  • You must use an approved childcare provider (e.g. Ofsted‑registered) 
  • You usually cannot combine some schemes (e.g. Tax‑Free Childcare and Universal Credit childcare) 
  • What you can claim depends on your personal circumstances

Easy Summary - NHS Healthy Start Food and Vitamins

Healthy Start provides regular financial support for healthy food and free vitamins for eligible families. It is designed to improve nutrition during pregnancy and early childhood, especially for those on a low income.

NHS Healthy Start (food and vitamins)

NHS Healthy Start is a scheme to help pregnant people and families with young children buy healthy food and access free vitamins.

Who can get Healthy Start

You may qualify if:

  • You are more than 10 weeks pregnant, or
  • You have a child under 4 years old
  • And you receive certain benefits (e.g. Universal Credit on a low income)
  • You can also claim if you are under 18 and pregnant, even without benefits 

What you get

You receive money on a prepaid card every 4 weeks to spend on healthy food:

  • £4.65 per week during pregnancy
  • £9.30 per week for children under 1
  • £4.65 per week for children aged 1–4 

What you can buy

You can use the card to buy:

  • Plain cow’s milk
  • Fresh, frozen or tinned fruit and vegetables
  • Pulses (e.g. lentils, beans)
  • Infant formula milk

Free Healthy Start vitamins

If you are eligible, you can also get free vitamins:

For pregnant or breastfeeding people

  • Folic acid
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin D

For babies and young children (under 4)

  • Vitamins A, C and D

  • Available through:

    • Midwives
    • Health visitors
    • Local pharmacies or centres

Key points

  • Payments are not cash – they are loaded onto a card
  • You must use an approved shop or provider
  • The scheme helps support healthy diets in early childhood and pregnancy

The early years section of the Council's website has information, advice and guidance for families with children under 5 years old.

Sefton Family Hubs offer support for children and young people and their families to make life that little bit easier. You can find your nearest hub or a session to suit the support you need by exploring our site.

Last Updated on Friday, June 19, 2026

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