What financial help can you get when you have twins?

Managing money when you have twins, triplets or more

Welcoming twins, triplets or more can feel joyful and worrying at the same time. You might be thinking about double buggies, extra nappies and how you will manage childcare costs.

If you have more than one baby, it is completely understandable to worry about money. The good news is that there are several UK-wide benefits, plus extra nation specific schemes, that can help with day to day costs.

This guide gives an overview of the main support in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It can help you spot what to check, so you feel more confident when you look into your options.

Understanding UK-wide benefits and childcare help

Some financial help is available wherever you live in the UK.

Child Benefit

You can usually claim Child Benefit for each of your children, including each twin. It is normally paid weekly or monthly until your child turns 16, or 20 if they stay in approved education or training. If one parent earns over £60,000, you may be affected by the High Income Child Benefit Charge, but you might still choose to claim.

Sure Start Maternity Grant (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

This is a one-off £500 payment to help with the cost of a new baby. You may qualify if you are expecting twins or triplets, even if you already have children, and you receive certain means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit or Income Support. Scotland has its own version, explained below.

Universal Credit and tax credits

Universal Credit and some tax credits can give extra help with child costs and housing costs. If you pay for registered childcare, you may be able to get up to 85% of your childcare fees covered through Universal Credit.

There is also a rule called the Multiple Birth Exception. If you already have two children and then have twins, you may receive an additional child element for one of the twins, depending on your situation.

UK-wide childcare schemes

Across the UK there are several childcare schemes. These include Tax Free Childcare, where the government tops up what you pay into an approved account, free childcare hours for many three- and four-year-olds and Universal Credit childcare support. Each of your children usually has their own funded hours or allowance, so twins can both benefit.

Support in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Depending on where you live, you may be able to get:

• Extra funded childcare hours in nurseries, playgroups or with childminders
• Help with buying essentials such as milk, nappies, fruit and vegetables
• Area based family support that can be especially helpful with twins
• Local hardship schemes if your family is struggling financially

England

In England, all three and four-year-olds can receive a Free Early Education Entitlementof 15 hours a week in term time, with up to 30 hours for some working parents. Some two-year-olds may also qualify based on family income or special educational needs. Each of your twins gets their own entitlement.

Healthy Start vouchers can help you buy milk, infant formula, fruit and vegetables if you receive certain benefits. If you are claiming for two children, you receive vouchers for each child. Some local councils also offer extra help, such as baby banks, local welfare schemes or support through the Household Support Fund.

Wales

In Wales, the Welsh Government Childcare Offer can provide up to 30 hours of funded childcare a week for eligible three and four-year-olds. Twins each receive their own hours, which can be used in nurseries, with childminders or in other approved settings.

If you live in a Flying Start area, you may also get free part time childcare for two-year-olds, enhanced health visiting and parenting support. The Discretionary Assistance Fund may help if your family faces sudden financial hardship and you need support with essential costs.

Scotland

Scotland offers the Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment, similar to the maternity grant. Payments are higher if you are expecting twins, and higher again if you are expecting triplets. There is a set payment for the first child and extra amounts for each additional baby in a multiple birth.

Best Start Foods provides a prepaid card to help you buy milk, infant formula, fruit, vegetables and pulses, with support for each child. Many families can also get the Scottish Child Payment, a regular payment for each child under 16. Children in Scotland can access up to 1,140 hours of funded early learning and childcare a year. This covers all three to five-year-olds and some two-year-olds who meet certain criteria, and each twin gets the full entitlement.

Northern Ireland

In Northern Ireland, eligible parents can apply for the Sure Start Maternity Grant, which works in the same way as in England and Wales. Parents expecting twins can apply even if they already have children.

Sure Start Northern Ireland also runs area based programmes. If you live in a Sure Start area, you may have access to family support, parenting classes, practical help with baby costs and enhanced health visiting. The Pre-School Education Programme provides funded preschool places for three and four-year-olds, although places are not guaranteed. If you experience financial hardship, you may be able to get Discretionary Support or help from community projects such as baby banks.

Practical steps to check what you can claim

It can feel daunting to work through different schemes, but you do not have to do this alone. An online benefits calculator is a helpful starting point and can show you what you might claim for each of your children.

Next, check your national government and local council websites for the latest information on childcare offers and local welfare schemes. These are usually updated when rules or income limits change.

Keep notes of your income, rent or mortgage and childcare costs before you make a claim. Having everything written down can make phone calls and online forms feel more manageable.

If you would like to talk things through, you can contact our helpline for information, signposting and community support from other parents of twins, triplets or more. You deserve support while you care for your growing family.