If you receive any of the following benefits then write in to claim 4 free energy-saving lightbulbs here: Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit (but not including the Single Occupancy Reduction), Disability Living Allowance, Disabled Person's Tax Credit, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (which must include constant attendance allowance), War Disablement Pension (which must include the mobility supplement), Attendance Allowance, Child Tax Credit (with a household income less than £14,200), Pension Credit, Working Families' Tax Credit, Working Tax credit (with a household income less than £14,200). These bulbs would usually cost £10 plus saves up to £9 per year for each regular bulb replaces (£36) - for FREE - plus benefit to the environment.

Rates

Also, the national minimum wage is £5.73 per hour for over 21s, £4.77 per hour for 18-21s and £3.53 per hour for 16 and 17 year olds.

Raising Children

The latest Cost Of A Child survey reveals that it now costs an average £8859 per annum to raise a child - or over £186,000 from birth to flying the nest at 21. If you are about to set off down that route, make sure you are getting all the financial aid available:

Statutory Maternity Pay: 39 weeks compensation - at 90% of your average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks followed by £112.75 per week for the remaining 33 weeks.

Statutory Paternity Pay: Up to 2 weeks at £112.75 per week

Child Benefit: Regardless of your income level you will receive £18.80 per week for your eledest child and £12.55 per week for each additional child - until they turn 16.

Child Tax Credit: This is a means-tested benefit for parents and those responsible for a child under 16. If your household income is less than £60,000 you will receive something. Child Tax Credits are essentially made up of two elements: A family element - this is paid to any family with a least one child and is worth up to £545 maximum per year; A child element - this is paid for each child in your family and is worth up to £2,085 maximum per year.

Working Tax Credit: a payment to top-up the earnings of low-paid working people. Parents must work for 16 hours or more a week to qualify. Credits are based on your household income and circumstances such as other benefits you may be receiving. The benefit includes a childcare element, where you could get back up to 80% of your childcare costs based on a maximum of £175 per week for one child or £300 for two or more children.

Child Trust Fund: All children born on or after 1 September 2002 are eligible for a Child Trust Fund (CTF). The government will provide a voucher of £250 - or £500 for low income families - which can be invested in a CTF where it will grow over the long-term tax-free. Your child will then receive a further payment of £250 or £500 on their seventh birthday. The CTF - which can be held in cash or, if you prefer, shares - can be topped-up each year with an extra £1,200 payable by parents, other family members or friends. Your child can't get their hands on the cash until they turn 18.

Sure Start Maternity Grant: This is a payment if £500 which doesn't have to be repaid. To be eligible you or your partner must be receiving one of the following: Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance; Income Support; Pension Credit; Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element; Working Tax Credit where a disabled worker is included in the assessment. You can claim at any time between 11 weeks before your due date and up until three months after your baby has been born. 

Age-related benefits

Benefits and freebies increase over age 60. Check out the list:

60 or over: Winter Fuel Payment: £200-£300 per household

60 or over: Free or half-price public transport

60 or over: Free prescriptions and eye tests

60 or over: Free dental examinations (Wales only)

60 (man) or 65 (woman) or over: Free basic state pension

65 or over: Attendance allowance: £43-£65 per week if you need personal care due to physical or mental reasons

70 or over: Free cavity wall and loft insulation (from British Gas, regardless of being a British Gas customer or not)

75 or over: Free TV licence

75 or over: Free freeview box and installation (once your area switches over to digital and you are still on analogue)

78 or over: Free passports (if you were born before 1930)

If you are some way off 60 then there is an indirect way to share some of these benefits. The Government lets you take in a lodger for up to £4250 tax-free per year (see here). If you take in a family member, friend or unrelated lodger aged over 60 you can transfer the TV licence and fuel to their name, as they are per household, and claim the free insulation (you qualify if someone is living with you over 70). In total that makes around £5000 tax free.