Extra Help For Those Receiving Benefits
Explore the extra cost of living help available for those receiving benefits.
Free School Meals
All children receive free school meals up to the end of Year Two. Children may be able to receive free school meals beyond this if their parent(s) are receiving particular benefits or have a certain immigration status. To apply, families will need to contact schools directly.
You can find more information here:
Help with school costs - Citizens Advice
Free School Transport
Children may be able to get free transport to school if they receive free school meals or their parent(s) receive maximum Working Tax Credit. They 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
Those you support may be able to get financial help to buy healthy food and milk, if they 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 every four weeks.
You can find more information here:
Get help to buy food and milk- NHS
Maternity Grant
Expectant mothers could get a one-off payment to help towards the cost of having a child, if they are expecting their first child or a multiple birth. They will need to be receiving certain benefits, but these will not be impacted.
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 individuals receive, they may be able to get help paying for 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
Those you support may be able to get a cheaper phone and broadband packages if they are receiving benefits. Social tariffs are delivered in the same way as other packages, just at a lower cost.
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
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:
Help with travel costs - Help for Households
Disabled Persons Bus Pass And Railcard
If individuals are receiving disability related benefits, they may be able to get a Disabled Person Bus Pass, providing free off peak travel, and a Disabled Persons Railcard, providing a 1/3 discount on rail tickets for themselves and a companion.
You can find more information here:
Over 60 travel concessions & bus pass - Age UK
Help with travel costs - Help for Households