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Getting  the benefit
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Now that you're a mum, your cash has to go a lot further, so make sure you know what help is out there. The benefits system is complicated and we don't have space here to give all the rules for all the benefits, so make sure you get proper advice from a benefits adviser at your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
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Updated: 9 September 2008

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Can I get help?

You may be able to get help while you are pregnant, and after your baby is born, for both of you. You can do this even if you live with other people - such as family or friends.

You can also claim as a lone parent if you share a home with an ex-partner as long as you no longer live as a couple - but get an independent adviser to help you claim.
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Where do I claim benefits or tax credits?

Jobcentre Plus (part of the Department for Work and Pensions) is the agency that pays most benefits. Tax credits and Child Benefit are paid by HMRC (which used to be the Inland Revenue).

Your local council (also called the local authority) pays Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. You can find the addresses and numbers for all of these organisations in your local phonebook.

Make claims as soon as you think you need to - you may lose money if you wait.
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How do I claim?

When you contact your local Jobcentre Plus office to claim Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance, you will be put through to a call centre and asked to give your details. They will then arrange to call you back to get all the information they need from your claim and arrange an interview.

For other claims contact the office that pays the benefit or tax credit and they will send you forms to fill in. Most are quite long and complicated but don't get put off - staff in benefits or tax credit offices can help you and so can advisers at your local Citizens Advice Bureau or other advice agency.

Make sure you fill the forms in within the time limits, as you may lose money if you send them back late - check with staff what the time limits are.
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What can I claim?

Benefits and tax credits are complicated, particularly if you are aged between 16 and 19. Getting them can depend on what's happening to you at the time, your age and on what other benefi ts and tax credits you may be getting. See the headings below for your age and situation to see what you might be entitled to.

Remember, changes in your situation may affect the amount you receive, or mean that you can claim a new benefit or tax credit, or that a claim you already have may stop, so make sure you discuss changes with an adviser as early as possible.
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single mum and her baby
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If you have come from abroad make sure you know what your immigration status is, and whether claiming benefits will harm any application you are making to the Home Office. Always check with an independent specialist adviserbefore making any application for help.

If you (or your parents) are seeking asylum in the UK, you are very unlikely to be able to claim benefits (but you should seek specialist benefits advice, especially if you have been in the UK for several years). Instead you will probably be entitled to support from the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) - a benefits adviser can tell you more about this.