UK family support comes through several separate schemes that do not always talk to each other. This hub brings together the most useful calculators and guides so families can check Child Benefit, childcare top-ups, school meal eligibility and maternity support in a single session.
Use the main estimator first, then move into the worked examples and explainers that match the change you are trying to understand.
Free Child Benefit calculator for 2026/27. See weekly, monthly and annual amounts for 1, 2 or more children using the latest UK rates.
Calculate the High Income Child Benefit Charge for 2026/27. Check the £60,000 to £80,000 threshold band and how much Child Benefit you keep.
Estimate how much government top-up you could get through Tax-Free Childcare based on annual childcare spending.
Estimate the monthly government top-up on childcare costs, 20p for every 80p spent, up to £2,000 per child per year.
Check likely Free School Meals eligibility in England using Universal Credit income, other qualifying benefits and infant-year rules.
Estimate SMP for the first 39 weeks, 90% of weekly pay for 6 weeks, then the flat rate for up to 33 weeks.
Check whether a household may qualify for the one-off £500 Sure Start Maternity Grant.
Check whether pregnancy or having a child under 4 could make you eligible for Healthy Start support.
UK support for low-income families 2026/27: Universal Credit, Child Benefit, Free School Meals, Healthy Start and childcare help explained.
Child Benefit 2026/27: £27.05/week first child. HICBC threshold £60,000 adjusted net income, charge claws back 1% per £200 over threshold, reaching 100% at £80,000. Pension contributions can reduce adjusted net income below the threshold.
Tax-Free Childcare 2026/27: how the 20% top-up works, who qualifies, maximum savings per child, and how it compares to UC childcare support.
Tax-Free Childcare amounts for 1, 2 and 3 children in 2026/27, worked examples of the 20% top-up and when UC childcare support may be better value.
Child Benefit amounts for 1, 2 and 3 children in 2026/27, weekly, monthly and annual totals, plus what to check if the High Income Charge may apply.
Use these follow-up pages to move from the main estimate into worked examples, explanations and the questions that change awards most often.
Single parent benefits 2026/27: Universal Credit work allowance, Child Benefit, childcare support and council tax help, calculator and guide.
A guide to UK support for families on a low income, Universal Credit, Child Benefit, childcare help, Free School Meals, Healthy Start and more.