The truth is, raising a family on one income in the current economic climate is tough. There is no shame in needing help to cover costs. If you’re a new single mother, you may need to get to grips with the benefits system and how to navigate it. Single mums in the UK have access to a range of benefits and financial support programmes designed to help them manage their household expenses and care for their children. Let’s run through the key benefits available to single mums, including eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is the primary benefit system for single mums in the UK. It replaces several older benefits and tax credits with a single monthly payment.
What does it cover?
Living costs, housing costs and childcare costs.
Who is eligible for universal credit?
- Low income or out of work
- 18 or over (some exceptions for 16-17 year olds)
- Under State Pension age
- Less than £16,000 in savings
How to apply:
Apply online through the official government website. You’ll need to provide information about your income, housing costs, and childcare expenses.
Child Benefit
Child Benefit is a tax-free payment available to anyone responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 if they’re in approved education or training).
How much are child benefit payments in the UK (correct as of 2024-2025)?
Payments are £25.60 per week for the eldest or only child and £16.95 per week for each additional child.
Who is eligible?
Anyone who is responsible for a child under 16 (or 20 in approved education/training) living in the UK. Starting from April 2024, the UK government implemented changes to Child Benefit eligibility based on income. Under the new system, individuals earning up to £60,000 annually will receive full Child Benefit, with a gradual reduction for those earning between £60,000 and £80,000. The benefit is completely withdrawn for individuals earning £80,000 or more. This is a significant increase from the previous thresholds of £50,000 and £60,000 respectively. However, these limits apply to individual rather than household income, potentially allowing couples with a combined income of up to £120,000 to receive full benefits, therefore this disadvantages single parents. However, even those earning above the maximum threshold are encouraged to claim (but opt out of payments) to protect their State Pension entitlement.
How to apply:
You can claim Child Benefit as soon as you’ve registered the birth of your child or they come to live with you. Apply online or by post using the CH2 form.
Council Tax Reduction
Single mums may be eligible for a reduction in their Council Tax bill via the single person discount, which can significantly lower their monthly expenses.
Who is eligible?
A partial or full reduction of the council tax bill is available to sole adult households and particularly to those on low incomes and receiving certain benefits.
How to apply:
Contact your local council to apply for Council Tax Reduction. Each council has its own scheme, so eligibility criteria may vary.
gov.uk/apply-for-council-tax-discount
Free School Meals
Single mums on a low income may be eligible for free school meals for their children. It is worth noting that free school meals are currently available to all pupils in KS1 (reception and years 1 and 2).
Who is eligible?
Free school meals are available for children from households receiving certain benefits, including Universal Credit (with household income below £7,400 a year after tax, not including benefits).
How to apply:
Apply through your local council or your child’s school.
gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals
Healthy Start Vouchers
This scheme provides vouchers for milk, fruit, vegetables, and vitamins for pregnant women and families with young children.
What it covers:
This scheme provides vouchers worth £4.25 per week per child under 4 and £8.50 per week for babies under 1.
Who is eligible?
Pregnant women or women who have children under 4 and are receiving certain benefits.
How to apply:
Apply online through the official Healthy Start website.
NHS Low Income Scheme
This medical support scheme helps with health costs for those on a low income.
What does it cover?
This scheme covers prescription costs, dental treatments, eye tests and glasses and travel to NHS appointments.
Who is eligible?
This scheme is means and savings tested on low income and savings.
How to apply:
Complete the HC1 form, available from hospitals, pharmacies, or online.
15-30 Hours Free Childcare
Single mums in England may be eligible for free childcare hours for their 3 and 4-year-old children. It is worth noting that these free childcare hours are available to all families, and not just single mums.
What does it cover?
The scheme covers 15 hours per week of free childcare for all 3 and 4-year-olds and up to 30 hours per week for working parents.
Who is eligible?
Parents of all 3 and 4-year-olds qualify for a minimum of 15 hours and working parents earning at least National Minimum Wage for 16 hours per week qualify for 30 hours.
How to apply:
Apply online through the official government childcare service.
gov.uk/check-eligible-free-childcare-if-youre-working
Tax-Free Childcare
This scheme helps working parents with childcare costs and can be used beyond pre-school and into your child’s educational career toward after-school care and holiday clubs.
What does it cover?
The government contributes £2 for every £8 you pay into a childcare account, up to £2,000 per child per year, effectively providing tax-free childcare for working parents.
Who is eligible?
Working parents earning at least National Minimum Wage for 16 hours per week with a child under 12 (or 17 if disabled).
How to apply:
Apply online through the government’s childcare service.
Read my guide to childcare for single parents here.
Carer’s Allowance
Single mums caring for a disabled child may be eligible for Carer’s Allowance.
What does it cover?
Carer’s allowance is currently £81.90 per week (2024-2025 rate).
Who is eligible?
Adults caring for someone for at least 35 hours per week. The person you care for must receive certain disability benefits and you earn £132 or less per week after tax and expenses.
How to apply:
Apply online through the official government website or by post.
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Single mums with a disability or long-term health condition may be eligible for PIP.
What does it cover?
PIP is a weekly payment to help with daily living and mobility costs.
Who is eligible?
Adults with a disability or long-term health condition that affects daily living or mobility aged between 16 and State Pension age.
How to apply:
Contact the PIP claim line to start your application.
Child Maintenance System
In addition to state benefits, your children’s other parent may be required to contribute toward your children’s living expenses, even if they are no longer in the picture.
Who is eligible?
The resident parent may be able to claim a financial contribution from the non-resident parent.
Read my guide to the CMS in the UK, here.
Remember that benefit rates and eligibility criteria can change, so it’s advisable to check the official government websites or speak with a benefits advisor for the most up-to-date information.
Need help with single mum benefits?
You can find support from others navigating these systems on their own on single parents app Frolo, or get expert advice from single parent charity Gingerbread.