Benefits, vouchers and help for parents struggling…

Benefits, vouchers and help for parents struggling with cost of living crisis to claim

The past few months have been no picnic for families fighting a cost of living crisis.

And things are set to get even worse, with an incoming spike to the energy cap coming in October. Inflation has sent costs rising, leading to warnings about more price increases for essential items like food. Add petrol costs, bus ticket prices increases and stagnant pay, and many households may need all the help they can get.

You may be entitled to assistance in the form of benefits, or food vouchers, or support groups. Below are some ways you can get help if you are struggling with the cost of living.

Tax-free childcare

For every £8 you pay into the Goverment's tax-free childcare scheme, you will get £2 added. So that's £10 worth of childcare for the price of £8. If you are eligible you can get up to £2,000 a year under the scheme, or £4,000 for disabled children. That money must then be spent on a registered childcare provider. They include nurseries, after-school clubs and nannies.

Eligibility depends on income, immigration status, children's age and circumstances and your work status. Head here to check and apply.

Up to 30 hours free childcare a week

Every parent of a three or four-year-old qualifies for 15 hours of free childcare every week for up to 38 weeks in a year. But some can get 30. To qualify you must be working at least 16 hours a week and earning at least the National Minimum wage.

Gov.uk adds: "You may be able to get free childcare for 52 weeks if you use fewer than 30 hours per week. Check with your childcare provider to find out if this is something they offer." Find out more here.

Child benefit

Parents and guardians can get child benefit payments for kids aged under 16 and young adults under 20 who are in approved education or training. If you or your partner's individual income tops £50,000 a year, you won't get the full amount.

Child benefit payments are £21.80 a week for a first child, then an additional £14.45 for additional children. To check eligibility and claim child benefit, head here

Healthy Start vouchers for food

If you claim certain benefits and have a child aged under four, you may qualify for the healthy start scheme. It offers a pre-paid voucher worth £4.25 per week to spend on healthy foods.

The vouchers can be used to pay for items including:

plain liquid cow’s milk
fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
infant formula milk based on cow’s milk

Head to the NHS site here to apply

Sure Start centres and children's centres

"Sure Start centres give help and advice on child and family health, parenting, money, training and employment. Some offer early learning and full-day care for pre-school children.," says gov.uk.

You have to apply through your council. Some councils run or can direct you to similar services

Click on the links below for your North East council's information about Sure Start and children's centres.

Parent and baby groups

You can ask your GP or health visitor for advice about parent and baby groups. These allow parents to share experiences and children to mix with other kids.