Day-to-day living

Depending on your circumstances, there is financial and practical support that can help with your day-to-day living. For example, if you are on a low income, you may be eligible for Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.

Under the Healthy Start scheme, you may also be entitled to free milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, and infant formula if you are pregnant or have at least 1 child under 4 years of age. Call 0870 1555 455 for an application form.

You might be eligible for Child Tax Credit, which is a payment to support families with children. It is paid to the parent or carer who is mainly responsible for caring for the child or children. If you're working, Working Tax Credit may help you to keep more of the money you earn.

Help with extra costs

If you are living on a low income and you meet the relevant conditions, you may be able to get help from the Social Fund with costs that are hard to pay out of your regular income.

Community Care Grants and Budgeting Loans can be paid to help cover the cost of one-off expenses, including household items, clothing and footwear, and certain travelling expenses.

Crisis Loans can sometimes be paid to help you with the cost of advance rent (but not if your landlord is a local authority) or if:

• you are in an emergency or disaster
• you need immediate help with day-to-day living expenses or essential items
• there is a serious risk of damage or a serious risk to the health of you or your family, and
• you cannot get help from elsewhere.

You do not need to be getting any benefit to get a Crisis Loan.

You may be entitled to a Cold Weather Payment to help with extra heating costs during very cold weather.

The Social Fund can also help with other costs such as buying things a new baby needs immediately (Sure Start Maternity Grants), and help to pay funeral costs (Funeral Payments)

Looking ahead and planning for the future

Looking after children is a long-term commitment. For some of you, State Pension age may seem a long way off, but as you approach it you will have a number of options that will directly affect your finances. The sooner you start planning, the more likely it is that you will be financially secure in later life. More information about looking ahead and planning for the future