Child Benefit

Confused about the 'two-child benefit cap' and what it really means? MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis has a quick and simple video briefing to clear up some of the misinformation. It takes you through Child Benefit rules, the two-child limit for Universal Credit and the benefits cap.

Child Benefit claimants are starting to receive redress from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) after their payments were delayed earlier this month due to a "processing error". If you're one of around 577,000 people affected and you were left out of pocket or suffered distress, we've step-by-step guidance on how to complain below – and it's not too late to do so.

The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has today (Wednesday 6 March) revealed plans to address the "unfairness" in the current Child Benefit system. This follows extensive campaigning on the issue by MoneySavingExpert.com (MSE) and its founder Martin Lewis. Currently, some families get less (or no) support as a result of overcomplicated tax rules.

The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has admitted that there is an "unfairness" in the current Child Benefit system, which means some families get less (or no) support as a result of "overcomplicated" tax rules. Mr Hunt made the comments during a grilling from MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis.

If you're in a couple and claiming Child Benefit – or you aren't claiming because one of you earns £60,000 or more a year – you could be missing out on £1,000s or even £10,000s in future state pension payments. MoneySavingExpert.com founder Martin Lewis shared the warning and explained what you can do about it, on the latest episode of ITV's The Martin Lewis Money Show Live.

If you stayed at home to care for family, as far back as 1978, your national insurance (NI) record may have been hit with errors that could see you missing out on £1,000s in state pension payments. Below we explain how to check and claim.  

Millions will see benefit payments, such as universal credit and child benefit, rise from today under an uplift for the new financial year. If your family income is under £30,000 and you're not in receipt of any state support - it's worth spending 10 minutes to check if you're due benefits.

Some 100,000 low income households and pregnant women currently in receipt of 'NHS Healthy Start' vouchers need to actively apply for a new prepaid card to receive their payments from 10 March, as the scheme will stop sending out paper vouchers.  

Around 200,000 parents risk losing £1,000s from their future state pension because they don't earn enough to pay national insurance contributions and their partner – who does earn enough – is claiming the family's child benefit. That's according to new data released this week – here's how to check if your family is affected, and transfer national insurance credits across if needed.

Applications are now open for a new £250 payment for low-income families in Scotland, which is paid when your child is old enough to start school.