Getting Started

Welcome to your Essential Guide to Money for Parents. At ASDA we believe passionately that every child should have the best possible start in life. That is why we and The Children’s Mutual have worked so hard to create this guide for you.

Inside you’ll find all sorts of information and useful tips about the financial and health benefits that are there to help you care for your child, both while you are pregnant and as your child grows up. Whether your family is financially secure or struggling to make ends meet, we’ll try to help you discover exactly what you’re entitled to and how to claim those benefits to which you are entitled.

We hope you find this guide useful and informative and that it helps you make the most of the money that you’re entitled to claim.

We have included a section on the Child Trust Fund scheme, which provides all babies born in the UK from September 2002 with a savings and investment plan – started off with money from the Government for parents and the wider family to invest for their child’s future.

If you come from abroad

If you are living in the UK but you are not a UK national, you’ll need to check whether your immigration status prevents you from applying for benefits. Also, if you do apply, will it harm any application you’ve made to the Home Office? You can get this specialised advice from an immigration solicitor or from an advice centre such as the Citizens Advice Bureau. It is advisable to contact the Citizens Advice Bureau or similar advice centers as early as possible.

If you’re working

If you’re employed – even for just a few hours a week – you could be entitled to maternity or paternity leave with pay. To find out how to get more information about this, please see the ‘Any questions?’ section on the opposite page.

If you’re receiving benefits

If you are already receiving Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support or Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) with a family income of less than £15,575 a year (for 2008/09) you will be entitled to extra help (Healthy Start Vouchers) while you are pregnant. To apply, call 0845 607 6823 and ask for Form HS01 to complete, or you can download it or fill it in online at www.healthystart.nhs.uk.

The earliest you can apply is when you are ten weeks pregnant.