Parents and Carers Spotlight Day

Nearly half of all first time parents are worried about money, yet most have not heard of Child Benefit, let alone the other benefits to which they are entitled.

That is why this year's Supporting Parents and Carers Campaign Spotlight Day focused on raising awareness among working parents on the financial help available to them.

Early survey results also indicate that levels of awareness of entitlement to benefits amongst working parents tend to be low. The highest level of awareness of government support for parents who already have children is for Tax Credits, with over 90 per cent of survey respondents indicating that they are aware of these. However, levels of awareness amongst first time parents fall significantly below this.

Less than one third of the working parents surveyed had heard of the Sure Start Maternity Grant, which is worth £500 to low income parents when a new baby is born.

Fewer than one in ten new parents were aware of the new Health in Pregnancy Grant, even though the £190 grant is not means-tested and is available to almost all pregnant women. Usdaw members, however, were twice as likely to have heard of the Health in Pregnancy Grant as non union-members, an indication that Usdaw's Supporting Parents and Carers Campaign is reaching members on the shop floor.

Events were held across the UK by active reps who promoted the latest publications by Usdaw on this very important issue.

"This year is proving to be a tough one for many of our members. The global recession means that many working parents are worried about money," said general secretary John Hannett. "Usdaw wants to do all it can to ensure our members, who are juggling paid work with bringing up children, know about the benefits they are entitled to and understand how to claim them."

These include:

• Child Benefit - Paid to anyone responsible for bringing up a child. Call the helpline on 0845 302 1444.
• Tax Credits - Nine out of ten families qualify. Call the helpline on 0845 300 3900.
• £500 Sure Start Maternity Grant - paid to low income parents when a new baby is born. Call Jobcentre Plus to find out more on 08000 55 66 88.
• £190 Health in Pregnancy Grant - paid to all pregnant women from the 25th week of pregnancy. Call the helpline on 0845 366 7885.
• Child Trust Fund - parents with children born after 1 September 2002 can claim a £250 voucher to invest in their child's future. Call the helpline on 0845 366 7870.
• Help with NHS health costs - if you are pregnant or have given birth in the last year, you qualify for free prescriptions, free dental treatment and other help.
• Housing benefit and council tax benefit - is available if you pay rent and are on a low income, subject to individual/family circumstances.
• Usdaw benefits - the union pays a maternity/paternity grant, further details available from the benefits section at central office.

"As you can see the theme of the spotlight day, and the latest focus of the campaign is - Claim what's yours. It's as easy as ABC," added John Hannett. "Usdaw knows this is a worrying time for many working parents and carers and we are focusing our attention on supporting our members who are combining paid work with bringing up children.

"We have sent out thousands of leaflets, posters and cards to reps and members with information about what benefits are available and how to go about claiming them."

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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Last Modified: Thursday, 18-Jun-2009 20:08:01 EST
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