Extra Help If You Are Receiving Benefits
Explore the extra cost of living help you may be able to get if you are receiving benefits.
If you need further advice and guidance, you can find details of organisations that can help here.
Free School Meals
All children receive free school meals up to the end of Year Two. Your children may be able to receive free school meals beyond this if you are receiving particular benefits or have a certain immigration status. To apply, you need to contact your children’s school directly.
You can find more information here:
Help with school costs - Citizens Advice
Free School Transport
Your children may be able to get free transport to school if they receive free school meals or you receive maximum Working Tax Credit. You will need to be living a certain distance away from the school to be eligible.
You can find more information here:
Help with school costs - Citizens Advice
Home to School Transport | Milton Keynes City Council
Healthy Start Scheme
You may be able to get financial help to buy healthy food and milk, if you are more than ten weeks pregnant or have a child under four years old. The NHS Healthy Start Scheme provides a card, which is topped up with a set amount every four weeks.
You can find more information here:
Get help to buy food and milk- NHS
Maternity Grant
You could get a one-off payment of £500 towards the cost of having a child, if you are either expecting your first child or a multiple birth. You do not have to pay the grant back and it will not affect your other benefits.
You can find more information here:
Get help with the cost of living - Citizens Advice
Sure Start Maternity Grant: Overview - GOV.UK
What is a Sure Start Maternity Grant ? - Turn2us
What benefits can I claim when I'm pregnant or have a baby? - MoneyHelper
Help With Health Costs
Depending on what benefits you receive, you may be able to get help paying for your NHS health costs. This could include free prescriptions, free dental treatment and free eye tests. This often extends to partners and children too.
You can find more information here:
Help with health costs for people getting Universal Credit - NHS
Phone And Broadband Social Tariffs
You may be able to get a cheaper phone and broadband packages if you are receiving benefits. Social tariffs are delivered in the same way as other packages, just at a lower cost. If your current provider doesn’t offer social tariffs you can switch to one that does.
You can find more information here:
Social tariffs: Cheaper broadband and phone packages - Ofcom
Get help if you’re struggling to pay your bills - Citizens Advice
Help if you're struggling to pay your mobile phone, TV or broadband bills - MoneyHelper
Discounted 'social tariffs' for those on certain benefits- Money Saving Expert
Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount
You may be able to get a Jobcentre Plus Travel Discount Card if you are receiving certain benefits, providing 50% discount on selected rail and coach tickets. Application should be made via your Work Coach or local Job Centre Plus.
You can find more information here:
Help with travel costs - Help for Households
Disabled Persons Bus Pass And Railcard
If you are receiving disability related benefits, you may be able to get a Disabled Person Bus Pass, providing free off peak travel, and a Disabled Persons Railcard, providing a discount of 1/3 on rail tickets for you and a companion.
You can find more information here:
Over 60 travel concessions & bus pass - Age UK
Help with travel costs - Help for Households