A helping hand when you're solo parenting

PARENTING is tough - and solo parenting can be tougher still. Although it comes with its own particular joys, there is often financial strife involved.

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Handily, there is a lot of help available, even if tracking it down can prove tricky sometimes. Alongside standard government benefits, "there's all these little things that aren't well-known, that you might not have heard about, that you could be entitled to," explains Rebecca Routledge, head of content at Money Wellness, which offers free help and advice. Here's how you can bolster your finances as a solo caregiver.

Benefits are the best place to start

Pop your details into an online benefits calculator to see what you are entitled to. There's one at moneywellness.com and turn2us.org.uk, from financial support charity Turn2Us.