If you're a single parent and working...

Help with childcare costs
You may be able to get a childcare tax credit to help with the cost of childcare if:

• you are a single parent working at least 16 hours a weekand
• you pay for registered childcare (eg a childminder, nursery, playscheme or out-of-school club)and
• you qualify for WFTC

Contact your local council for information about low-cost council nurseries (as a single parent you may be considered a priority to get a place, but there is usually a long waiting list so apply early.)

OTHER HELP AVAILABLE
While you are pregnant and for a year after birth:

• Free NHS dental treatment
• Free prescriptions

• Free NHS dental treatment
• Free prescriptions
• Free milk while you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Free vitamins while you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Free milk and vitamins for your child up to age 5
• £300 Sure Start Maternity Grant
• A refund on fares to the hospital or clinic
• Free school meals for your child
• Extra money in prolonged cold weather (cold weather payments)
• A discretionary Community Care Grant to help in certain circumstances, such as buying equipment for a disabled child, or setting up home after you have left a hostel, a violent relationship, a mother and baby home or local authority care
• A discretionary Budgeting Loan if you need something essential that you can't afford to buy. This has to be repaid

• Reduced-price formula milk powder at child health clinics
• A refund on fares to the hospital or clinic
• £200 Sure Start Maternity Grant
• Free NHS dental treatment
• Free prescriptions
• A discretionary Social Fund Crisis Loan. This has to be repaid
• If you have a low income and you need money urgently in a crisis, you may be eligible for a discretionary Social Fund Crisis Loan. This has to be repaid