Parents can get £2,925 cash boost during summer holidays – check if you qualify

The Sun

2 days ago

PARENTS could be missing out on a £2,926 cash boost during the summer holidays.
There are a number of financial support schemes available to struggling households to help ease the cost of the break.
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That includes cash grants worth up to £500 and free days out.
Take a look below to see if you're missing out.
Free days out - £24
If you claim Universal Credit you and your little ones can claim cheap days out to popular attractions across the UK.
For example, those claiming the benefit can visit York Castle for free.
The popular attraction allows customers to learn about the history of the city.
Children in these households can also enter for no charge.
Elsewhere, you can also save over £20 on a trip to Kew Gardens.
People claiming Universal Credit can enter the botanic garden for just £1, saving £24 on the standard entry price.
With both of these attractions, you will need to show proof of eligibility to enter.
Household support fund - £500
If you are claiming Universal Credit you can get extra support through the Household Support Fund.
Families can get FREE washing machines, fridges and kids' beds or £200 payments this summer – and you can apply now
The £742million Household Support Fund has been shared between all councils in England.
Every council in England has cash they can hand out to struggling families.
For example, households in West Berkshire can apply for support worth £300.
And, families living in Worcestershire can apply for cost of living cash worth £500.
School uniform grants - £150
Struggling parents can help ease the pressure of back-to-school costs by applying for a school uniform grant.
The support also comes through the government's Household Support Fund (HSF).
How much you get depends on what year your child is in.
For example, in Tower Hamlets families can get up to £150 per child.
Parents with reception year children can get £50 per child.
This increases to £150 per child when they reach Year 7.
Meanwhile, Medway Council, in South East England, is distributing school uniform vouchers to hard-up households worth £100.
You receive £100 for every dependent school age child, per household per year, unless in exceptional circumstances.
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is a government fund which provides free food, childcare and activities to children from low income families.
Your local council is responsible for administering the scheme.
This means what exactly is on offer depends on where you live.
Most offer help to families with children in receipt of benefits-related free school meals, but local councils are also allowed to offer help to children outside of this group.
Child benefit - £2,251.60
You can apply for child benefit all year round and it can add an extra £2,251.60 to your income each year.
You get child benefit if you're responsible for bringing up a child who is under 16 or under 20 if they are in approved education or training
The payment is used to help parents cover the costs of childcare.
It is paid at two weekly rates - £26.05 per week for your eldest or only child and £17.25 for any additional children.
Payments are usually made every four weeks, on a Monday or Tuesday, but sometimes are made weekly.
National Insurance (NI) credits.
You can apply by visiting, www.gov.uk/child-benefit/how-to-claim.