Five freebies and discounts parents on Universal Credit can get worth up to £3,286
PARENTS on Universal Credit could be entitled to freebies and deals worth over £3,000.
With childcare costs on the rise, looking after growing tots can be challenging.
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But for struggling families there may be some extra cash and perks they can get their hands on - some of which they may never had heard of.
Here is what is available...
PREGNANCY GRANT - £500
New parents can claim this one-off grant within 11 weeks of the baby's due date or up to six months after the baby is born.
It's a payment worth £500 to help with the cost of having a child.
Parents will need to print out and fill in the Sure Start Maternity Grant (SF100) claim form and have it signed by a doctor or midwife.
You could qualify for the Sure Start Maternity grant if you're claiming benefits and expecting your first child.
You can also qualify if you have children already and are expecting twins or triplets.
HEALTHY START - £442
Healthy Start scheme.
Anyone more than 10 weeks pregnant or with a child under four years old and on benefits can apply online or via email.
The scheme issues parents with a card they can use in supermarkets, which gives them free access to milk, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables and tinned pulses.
Disability benefit explained - what you can claim
The full list of benefits qualifying you for the scheme is:
Income Support
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Child Tax Credit with a family income of £16,190 or less per year
Pension Credit
Universal Credit with no earned income or total earned income of £408 or less per month for the family
Parents can also apply for the scheme if you are under 18 and not on any benefits.
You can find out more about the scheme in our full guide.
FREE CHILDCARE - £1,739
Parents on Universal Credit may also be entitled to help with childcare costs.
You'll need to be working - and your partner if you live with them - or have a job offer.
But it doesn't matter how many hours you or your partner work.
You can get 85 per cent of your expenses paid each month up to a maximum of £1,014 for one child or £1,739 for two or more kids.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS - £500
Children whose parents receive income support such as Universal Credit, Job seeker's Allowance and Child Tax Credits can receive free school meals.
How you apply depends on your personal circumstances - some people may be able to via their local council, while others might have to speak to their children's school directly.
Type your postcode into the Government's website to see who to contact and how to apply at gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals.
The exact amount you'll get depends on where you live, but the help is worth around £460 on average per child per year, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
If you're eligible for free school meals, you may also get similar help during school holidays including Christmas and Easter, as well as half terms.
If your child is eligible for free school meals, they'll also qualify for the Holiday Activity and Food Programme offering kids free activities to take part in outside of school.
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