How much will having a family cost?
Consumer Financial Education Body (CFEB) have a range of useful calculators to help you calculate the cost of having a child. Calculators are availabale for:

• Budgeting and baby - how your income and spending might change in the first year after your baby is born.
• Cost of child - help you work out how much it costs to raise a family
• CTF and savings - how much your child's Child Trust Fund or other savings may be worth in future
• Debt - how much you'll pay each month and in total when you borrow or, if you know the repayments you'll make, the cost of the debt
• Childcare - lets you work out the costs of different childcare arrangemetns either using your own figures or those supplied by the calculator

You can use this calculator to work out the costs of having a family.

Credit Action have recently launched for essential reading for single parents in association with One Parent Families Gingerbread. The guide is available as a free download from their website and printed copies can be ordered at a small cost via their website or by contacting the office.

I’m expecting a baby, what am I entitled to?
Find out more about Maternity Pay on the Directgov website. 

You may be entitled to Income Support if you are on a low income. Find out more on the Directgov website.

I’ve just had a baby and I don’t have much money.
If you have a new baby and are on a low income, you may be entitled to a Sure Start maternity grant. Find out more on the Directgov website.

Tax Credits are money paid to you if you have children or you are on a low wage. You do not have to be paying tax to receive Tax Credits. Most families with children qualify for Tax Credits.

To find out more about Child Tax Credit visit the Directgov website. 

To find out more about Working Tax Credit visit the Directgov website. 

You can use this calculator to work out how much tax credit you might be able to claim if you have at least one child.

You can find out more information and apply online for Tax Credits on the HM Revenue & Customs website.

My ex-partner doesn’t pay any maintenance for our child.
If your ex-partner is not paying towards the cost of any children you have together, or not paying enough, find out more about claiming the maintenance you are entitled to on the Child Support Agency website.

Am I entitled to Child Benefit?
Child Benefit is a regular payment made to anyone who is bringing up a child. Find out more on the Directgov website.

I’m bringing up children whose parents have died, can I claim anything?
You may be entitled to Guardian’s Allowance. Find out more on the Directgov website.

My partner has died, can I claim anything?
If you have children you may be entitled to claim Widowed Parent’s Allowance. Find out more on the Directgov website.

I want to go back to work.
Find information about benefits and help for parents going back to work on the Directgov website.

I’m a lone parent who would like to work, is there any help available?
Find out about the New Deal for Lone Parents scheme. This voluntary scheme offers you a personal adviser who will help you find a suitable job or training and can work out how much better off you could be in a job.

If you're going back to work and you've got children, you can get financial and practical help with childcare. From tax credits to flexible working arrangements, there's lots of support available to make your life easier. Find out more here.

Can I claim Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit?
Tax Credits are money paid to you if you have children or you are on a low wage. You do not have to be paying tax to receive Tax Credits. Most families with children qualify for Tax Credits.

To find out more about Child Tax Credit visit the Directgov website. 

To find out more about Working Tax Credit visit the Directgov website.

You can use this calculator to work out how much tax credit you might be able to claim if you have at least one child.

You can find out more information and apply online for Tax Credits on the HM Revenue & Customs website. 

Can I get help with childcare costs?
If you have to pay for childcare for your children whilst you are at work, you may get help with with the childcare costs through Working Tax Credits. Find out more on the HM Revenue & Customs website.

You may also be able to pay for your childcare straight from your wages. if you do this, you won't have to pay Income Tax on the amount of childcare you pay for. This is normally paid as vouchers. Find out more about childcare vouchers on Moneysavingexpert.com.

Childcare vouchers may affect your entitlement to both the childcare element of Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. To help you decide whether you would be better off with Tax Credits or childcare vouchers, visit the HM Revenue & Customs website.

If you claim help with your rent or Council Tax through Housing Benefits, they may also be eligible for help with the costs of childcare. You may be entitled to extra Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit if you are working full-time and pay a registered childminder, or other professional carer, to look after your children. Find out about claiming help with your rent and Council Tax on the 'Benefits'  page or find out if you qualify using our 'benefits calculator'.

Where else can I find information about benefits for families and children?
For more information about benefits for families and children, visit the Citizens Advice Bureau Adviceguide website.

Easy-to-understand information about benefits.
Visit the Directgov website for clear and straightforward information about what benefits you may be entitled to and how to claim them.

Find out more about claiming benefits To find out about claiming for benefits, ring Jobcentre Plus free on 0800 055 6688, 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday. Textphone 0800 023 4888.

If you want to make an enquiry about a benefit you already receive, ring 0845 60 88 508.

For general advice on benefits for disabled people, their carers and representatives, ring the Benefits Enquiry Line on 0800 88 2200.

Work out what you might be entitled to.
Use our benefits calculator to work out what benefits you might be entitled to.

You can also visit our ‘Maximise your income’ page  to find out what else you might be able to do to increase your income.

Apply online.
You can also apply online for the following benefits;

It is very important to tell the benefits people straight away about any changes in your circumstances or income.

I’m already in debt, what shall I do?
Find out more about how to manage your money on our ‘Managing your money’ and ‘Managing money problems’ pages.
If you are in debt, it is best to get some advice straight away, for example, from your local Citizens Advice Bureau. You can find your nearest bureau here.

St. Leger Homes has a dedicated adviser providing help and advice on benefit issues - please contact us is if you would like to make an appointment.

We also works closely with Doncaster West Development Trust who provide a money advice service at various locations throughout the borough. Find out more about St. Leger Homes' partnership with Doncaster West Development Trust and how to make an appointment with an adviser. You can ring them on 01709 868880, or email them at fi@dwdt.org.uk.

For free information and advice about debt, ring National Debtline on 0808 808 4000 or visit the National Debtline website. 

What help and support can I get locally?
Visit the Doncaster Childrens's Information Service website for information about health, social care, education and other services that can offer support and advice to families and young people living in the Doncaster area.