Bringing up kids is amazing, but there’s lots of daily tasks that can be tough to manage, money being one of them! Money (or lack of it) can be really stressful to deal with, but there is help out there if you need it. There’s a wide range of benefits and services available. To make life that wee bit easier for you, we’ve pulled together a list of what you could be entitled to as a parent.
The Money Talk Team is available to help you make the most of your money. The team offers personalised advice on money matters - from benefit take up and council tax reduction to free school meals and reducing household energy costs. They can also support you to ensure you’re claiming all the grants and benefits you might be entitled to and make sure you don’t pay more than you need to for basic services like utilities. This service is delivered by the Citizens Advice Network in Scotland, you can call 0800 085 7145 or get in touch with your local bureau if you’d prefer to see someone face to face. You can find details of your local Citizens Advice Bureau here.
Support and benefits for expectant parents and parents with a newborn baby
Maternity and paternity leave
Maternity and paternity leave
The Pregnancy and Baby Payment
The Pregnancy and Baby Payment
Scotland’s Baby Box
Scotland’s Baby Box
Best Start Foods payments
Best Start Foods payments
Nenonatal Expenses Fund
Nenonatal Expenses Fund
General support and benefits for parents
School clothing grant
School clothing grant
Free school meals
Free school meals
Child Benefit
Child Benefit
Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit
Child Tax Credit and Universal Credit
Financial Help if you have a child with disabilities
Financial Help if you have a child with disabilities
Guardian’s Allowance
Guardian’s Allowance
Energy, bills and household support and benefits
Warmer Homes
Warmer Homes
Home Energy Scotland
Home Energy Scotland
Council Tax discounts, exemption and reductions
Council Tax discounts, exemption and reductions
Changing Energy Supplier
Changing Energy Supplier
Priority Service Register - Register for extra help during a power cut
Priority Service Register - Register for extra help during a power cut
Debt and money support
Scottish Welfare Fund
Scottish Welfare Fund
Basic Bank Accounts
Basic Bank Accounts
Debt support
Debt support
Credit Unions
Credit Unions
Debt Arrangement Scheme
Debt Arrangement Scheme
Trust deeds
Trust deeds
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy
Family Support Directory
Find more support for your finances from trusted organisations in our Family Support Directory.