Working parents don’t realise they’re missing out on benefits

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.

These shocking figures come as Usdaw publishes early findings of its survey into how working parents are coping with the impact of the global economic downturn. The initial survey results are being issued in time for the Union’s Supporting Parents’ and Carers’ Spotlight Day on 3 June.

The survey revealed that working parents are twice as likely to be worried about money as those without children or caring responsibilities.

Early 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% of survey respondents indicating that they are aware of these. However, again, 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.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, said:

“2009 is proving to be a difficult time for many of our members, not least for working parents. Our survey has confirmed that almost one in two working parents is worried about money. And yet 75% of our members who are parents and 60% of members who are carers tell us that they aren’t confident that they are claiming everything they’re entitled to. And they’re right – most are unaware of the benefits that are out there and that are meant to help parents with the additional costs that inevitably come with starting a family.

“That’s why Usdaw Reps up and down the country are staging events in workplaces on our annual Supporting Parents & Carers Campaign Spotlight Day to remind all working parents of the sources of financial support this Government has made available to them.

“Usdaw knows this is a worrying time for many working parents and carers and we are focusing our attention on doing all we can to better support 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.”

Information for Editors

Child Benefit Helpline: 0845 302 1444
Tax Credits Helpline: 0845 300 3900
Health in Pregnancy Grant Helpline: 0845 366 7885
Sure Start Maternity Grant Helpline: 08000 55 66 88
Child Trust Fund Helpline: 0845 366 7870

Notes to Editors:

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Cherry Hamilton, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail cherry.hamilton@usdaw.org.uk
• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fourth biggest trade union, with over 371,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.
• Subscribe/unsubscribe to Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service at: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/site/email.html

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