Benefits: UK Child Benefits

A new, simpler way to find out what your family could get.

Benefits is an independent calculator for parents and carers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Answer five short questions and it works out a first figure straight away. Then add what applies to you and watch your total grow.

NEW IN VERSION 2.0 Version 2 is a new design built around one idea: get you to a figure quickly, then go deeper only if you want to. There are fewer questions up front, written in plain English. The extra questions about Universal Credit, childcare and family circumstances wait until you choose to add them, and your total updates as you answer. The results are easier to read: what is in your total, what is worth checking, and what probably isn't for you.

HOW IT WORKS
• Five short questions: where you live, your children, your household and your income.
• See your estimated monthly and yearly total, and exactly where it comes from, as bars or a ring.
• Add more if you want a fuller picture: Universal Credit, childcare costs, and family and caring (carers, guardians, pregnancy).

WHAT IT COVERS Child Benefit, Universal Credit (including its child and childcare elements), Tax-Free Childcare and free childcare hours, Scottish Child Payment and other Scottish payments, Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, Guardian's Allowance, Child Disability Payment and Disability Living Allowance for children, Healthy Start, free school meals, Council Tax Reduction, and more. It also tells you which benefits you probably don't qualify for, and which are worth checking.

HELP TO APPLY For each benefit you can open a step-by-step guide: where you apply, what to have ready, what happens next, and what to know first. The guides are written from the official GOV.UK, mygov.scot, nidirect, GOV.WALES and NHS pages, with a button to the official site. Mark what you've applied for and keep track.

DATES AND REMINDERS See the deadlines that matter, such as childcare application dates and Tax-Free Childcare reconfirmation, and turn on reminders so you don't miss them. Not working yet? See the 30-hour cut-offs for when you start a new job. Reminders are set on your phone, and there is an optional nudge on 6 April, when benefit rates change.

LOCAL SUPPORT Search a postcode, town or council to find family hubs and children's centres, Ofsted-registered childcare with its ratings, and local give-and-sell groups near you (England).

PRIVATE BY DESIGN There are no accounts or sign-ups. The whole calculation runs on your phone, and your answers, reminders and previous results are kept only on your phone. Maps in the Local tab load from Apple.

IMPORTANT Benefits is independent and not affiliated with GOV.UK, HMRC or DWP. It gives estimates only, at current-year rates, and is not financial advice. Rules change, and your actual entitlement depends on your full circumstances. Always check on GOV.UK or speak to Citizens Advice before making decisions.