Money for parents on a low income

Means-tested benefits

These are benefits for parents who simply don’t have enough money coming in each month to live on, or to cover essential purchases. If this is the case, you may be able to get a means-tested benefit to top-up other benefits or earnings until they reach the amount the law says you need to live on. Tax Credits may also help – please see pages 9-11.

A little extra help

Means-tested benefits are there as a safety net to help top-up your income to the minimum level required by law. If you receive Tax Credits, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income Support, or you’re on a low income, you may also be able to receive other benefits such as help with mortgage interest payments, the Sure Start Maternity Grant, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. There are also health-related benefits, such as travel costs for hospital visits. The benefits you’re given depend on your circumstances and your partner’s, if you have one.

Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

If you’re looking for work and don’t qualify for Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, or managing on a very low income, you can apply for Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.

What you need to qualify

You need to be available and actively looking for work or currently working less than 16 hours a week. If you have a partner, they must not be working more than 24 hours a week. You mustn’t have savings amounting to more than £16,000. If you’re single, you can claim Jobseeker’s Allowance until 11 weeks before your baby is due. After that (or earlier if you’re unwell) you can choose to claim Income Support for as long as you wish, while you have a child aged under 16. Unlike Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, this benefit doesn’t depend on previous National Insurance contributions.