Where can young parents go for support?

Becoming a parent is hard work, and it can be even harder without family or friends around to support you. You may be worried about how you will cope financially or how you will continue to study or afford childcare while looking after your baby. 

Childcare

Some parents can get help with childcare costs by claiming some benefits such as Universal Credit or you may be enttiled to childcare vouchers. Single parents must work a minimum of 16 hours a week, while couples should both work at least 16 hours a week. Further information, such as how to claim, can be found here.

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a new benefit that has started to replace 6 existing benefits with a single monthly payment into your account. Universal Credit will help you to be better off in work, start a new job or work more hours. For more information please click here.

Housing

Finding somewhere to live can be a real challenge and affording to live there can be even more difficult. Shelter is a national homeless and housing charity. Visit the website: www.shelter.org.uk for advice about your situation. Alternatively, you can call Shelter on 0808 800 4444 between 8am-8pm Monday-Friday and 8am-5pm Saturday-Sunday.

Food

Healthy Start is a scheme offering free vouchers which you can swap for milk, fruit, vegetables and vitamins. The vouchers are for people under 18 who are pregnant, or with children under four years old. Visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk to see if you qualify for vouchers.

Education

You may be able to claim Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) if you’re studying in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales. EMA is now closed in England. See the Gov.uk website more information. If you're age 16-19 and studying in England, you may be able to apply for a 16-19 Bursary Fund. You can't apply if you're already studying at university, visit the website to see if you are eligible.

If you’re currently studying and wish to continue once your baby arrives, there is a scheme from the government that can help to make this possible. Care to Learn is for people under 20 who are already a parent at the start of their course and is designed to help with the cost of childcare while you are studying. To find out if you qualify visit the website. For more information call the Learner Support helpline on 0800 121 8989. For help filling in the form, visit your Connexions Personal Advisor, or ask your school or college for help.

Finance

According to a study by Barnardo’s, many young parents don’t realise what benefits they are entitled to and are often not claiming as much as they could. Find out about benefits from Gov.uk

Maternity Grant

You could get a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child. This is known as a Sure Start Maternity Grant. You must claim the grant within 11 weeks of expecting the baby or within 3 months after the birth. Usually, to qualify for a Sure Start Maternity Grant there must be no other children in your family, and you must get one of certain benefits, such as income support or universal credit. Visit the website for further information.

Further resources

If you would like further support and advice, call our helpline on 0808 800 2222 or email us at askus@familylives.org.uk. You can talk to us online via our live chat service, which is open, Monday to Friday between 10.30am and 9pm. You may find it helps to find out how other parents and carers have coped with this on our online forums. We also have a range of free online parenting courses that can help through the ages and stages of parenting. 

Our online parenting information is written by experienced parenting professionals. Find out more about our content authors, how it is produced, reviewed and edited.

Other organisations that can help

Call our free Helpline on 0808 800 2222 and speak to someone confidentially, talk to other parents on our forums or find information about support in your area

Brook is a national charity who offer sexual health advice to people under 25. You can text them on 07537 402 024 or use their webchat helpline, details on their website. 

Visit Gov.uk or Citizens' Advice for information about what benefits you qualify for and details of useful services.

Gingerbread works locally and nationally with single parent families to help improve their lives.

Visit Healthy Start to see if you qualify for vouchers for free milk, fruit, vegetables and vitamins.

Advice Guide offers information about your rights, including benefits, housing and employment.

If you need to talk to someone in confidence about any problem, The Mix is a free service for young people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 to speak to someone.