Single parent benefits – A financial guide for solo mums

The financial situation for solo mums is usually quite different from the one in two-parent families, and having the entire financial responsibility for your household can be a challenge. In the UK, the median disposable income is £22,000 for two-parent households. In comparison, it is £15,000 for single parents.

So it is a good idea to ask yourself: what am I entitled to as a single parent? Some of the single parent benefits in the UK include:

• Universal Credit
• Child Benefit
• Council tax reduction
• Financial support for childcare
  
  

You can find the full list of benefits and financial help here. 

There are a number of benefits available to help solo mothers cover the costs of having a child on their own. Whether you qualify for these benefits depends on your income and other circumstances.

The most important benefit to know about is Universal Credit, which provides a standard allowance of £316.98 a month if you are under 25 and £400.14 a month if you are over 25. You are eligible for Universal Credit if you:

• Are 18 or older
• Are living in the UK
• Have less than £16,000 in savings

If you are a single parent, you might be able to get Child Benefit, however it depends on your income. It is a weekly allowance paid to you for your child or children. The weekly rate is £26.05 for the eldest or only child and £17.25 for additional children (per child) and is usually paid every four weeks. You normally qualify for Child Benefit if you:

• Are responsible for a child under 16
• You live in the UK

Child Benefit depends on your income. If your adjusted net income is over the threshold, you may have to pay High Income Child Benefit Charge. An income over the threshold is:

• Over £60,000 for the tax year 2024 to 2025
• Over £50,000 for tax years up to and including the tax year 2023 to 2024

If you are unsure about your income, you can use the Child Benefit tax calculator and get an estimate of your adjusted net income. 

Choosing to become a solo mum often means taking on not just emotional and logistical responsibilities, but significant financial ones as well. 

Solo mums by choice face additional costs even before pregnancy begins, such as expenses for fertility treatment and donor sperm. On top of that, maternity leave planning becomes more complex when you’re the sole income earner. 

In this section, we’ll explore single mother benefits available to help ease some of these pressures. 

If you are on a low income, you can apply for a grant from a charity. Grants can be used for different things, such as everyday living costs or a school uniform. There are no general rules for eligibility as it depends on different circumstances like where you live. Each charity also has their own rules for their grants. 

Sure Start Maternity Grant is another type of financial help for single mothers in the UK. It is a one-off payment of £500 to help cover the costs of having a baby. You can apply for the grant if you have no other children under 16 and you or your partner get certain benefits, e.g. Universal Credit.

Financial support for single mothers include Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance. Understanding your maternity rights will help you manage your time off before and after your baby arrives.

If you’ve been with your employer since before your pregnancy and earn at least £123 weekly, you qualify for 39 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay. In the first 6 weeks, you’ll get 90% of your average weekly earnings and in the remaining 33 weeks, you’re entitled to either 90% of what you normally earn or a maximum of £187.18 a week.

Your employer may also offer additional support based on your employment contract. If you are entitled to this, it is a good idea to check for any conditions, like repayment if you don’t return to your workplace after your maternity leave.

If you don’t qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay, you might be able to get Maternity Allowance. This is available if you’ve worked for at least 26 weeks and earned £30 a week in 13 of the 66 weeks before your baby is due. This is the case whether you are employed or self-employed.

With Maternity Allowance, you can get up to £187.18 a week or 90% of your average weekly earnings for up to 39 weeks. If you are self-employed, there are other rules that apply. You can use the maternity pay calculator to check what you could get in your situation.

The simple answer to this question is that it depends on your situation. Factors such as your income, how much rent or mortgage you pay and how many children you have will all influence what you're entitled to. 

To get a clearer picture, you can use a benefits calculator such as Turn2Us and Entitledto. Both tools are free to use and provide a quick, personalised estimate of the benefits you could be entitled to.

Before using them, it is a good idea to have the following information ready:

• Income (e.g. payslips)
• Outgoings (e.g. rent, childcare payments and mortgage)
• Savings
• Existing benefits and savings
• Council Tax bill

The calculators give you an estimate of the benefits you could get. But you can also see how your benefits will be affected if your circumstances change.

Being the sole provider for your family can feel overwhelming, but with a few strategies, you can gain control of your finances. Start by creating a realistic monthly budget. A part of that is to track your income and spending. This will help you look for areas where you can cut back or plan ahead.

Building a financial buffer for unexpected expenses is a great idea. While it might seem difficult to get started, remember that with baby steps, it is possible. Start by setting aside a small amount each month. Even modest, regular contributions can make a big difference in the long run, gradually helping you create a financial buffer.

Childcare can be a significant expense in a family budget. Fortunately, you can get allowances to help you cover the costs of childcare. As a working single mother, you can get up to 85% of your childcare expenses covered, depending on your occupation and your child’s age.

There's financial help for single mothers in the UK through your local council, and many parents find useful support through Citizens Advice, council support workers or online forums where others share their experiences and tips.

More women than ever are choosing solo motherhood by choice. It is a decision filled with love, but also financial responsibility. Without a shared income, the cost of fertility treatment and raising a child alone can be daunting. Fortunately, there are single mother benefits and support designed to ease the journey.

Whether you're already a parent or in the beginning of your journey, solo parent benefits can make an important difference.

Considering solo motherhood by choice? Read more in our guide for solo mums to learn more about the process and how we can help you.