Child benefit is a tax-free payment that you can claim for each child as long as no one in the household earns more than £60,000 a year. A reduced amount is available when someone in a household earns between £50,000 and £60,000 per year. It is usually paid every four weeks but can sometimes be paid weekly.
You can find out more information and fill out a child benefit claim form from GOV.UK - child benefit.
Many parents with children can qualify for Tax Credits although rules around the number of hours you have to work have changed recently. There are two types – Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit. Tax Credits are means tested so depend on the level of income a family has. More details are available from GOV.UK - Tax credits.
Individual Savings Accounts for children, known as Junior ISAs, are now available. They offer a new tax-free way of saving for your child’s future. Find out who can get one, how the accounts work and what to do to get started on GOV.UK - ISAs and Junior ISAs.
If you have children at school they may be eligible for free school meals (see our primary school or secondary school free school meals pages), secondary school clothing allowance or, 16 to 19 bursary fund.