Early years and preschool

 
 

Help with childcare costs

Useful links
Working Tax Credit

Working Tax Credit is a payment to top up the earnings of working people on low incomes, including those who do not have children. There are extra amounts for working households in which someone has a disability. It is available to employees and self-employed people, and includes support for the cost of childcare, which is up to 70% of £175 for one child and £300 for two children or more.

People who are responsible for a child or young person can claim Working Tax Credit if they:

  • they are aged 16 or over and work at least 16 hours a week.

People without children can claim Working Tax Credit if:

  • they are aged 25 or over and work at least 30 hours a week
  • they are aged 16 or over and work at least 16 hours a week and you have a disability which puts you at a disadvantage in getting a job
  • they or their your partner are aged 50 or more and work at least 16 hours a week and are returning to work after time spent on qualifying out of work benefits.

The amount of Working Tax Credit you receive will be based on your circumstances, for example, how many hours you normally work, and your income (or joint income, if you are part of a couple).

Childcare Element

As part of Working Tax Credit, you may qualify for extra help towards the cost of registered childcare. This is known as the childcare element within Working Tax Credit. You can only get this if you are working at least 16 hours a week. If you are part of a couple, both you and your partner must each work at least 16 hours, unless one of you is prevented from working by incapacity. The maximum childcare element is 70% of £175 for one child and 70% of £300 for two or more children. To apply for tax credits or to find out if you are eligible visit the HM Revenue & Customs website or call their helpline on 0845 300 3900.

Child Tax Credit

Child Tax Credit is the way that families receive money for their children and is based on your income. You can claim whether or not you are in work. It will replace the existing tax credits and benefits with a single system- so all families with children, with income of up to £58,000 a year, will be able to claim the credit in the same way. You can claim Child Tax Credit if you are responsible for one child (or young person) or more. You do not have to be working to claim.

Child Tax Credit will provide support for

  • A child until 1 September following his or her 16th birthday or
  • A young person aged 16 to 18 who is in full time education or has left full time education and has registered with the Careers or Connexions Service and is not claiming Income Support or tax credits in his or her own right.

Child Tax Credit will be paid in addition to Child Benefit and any Working Tax Credit.

Child Tax Credit will be paid directly to the person who is mainly responsible for caring for the children in the family. You can choose whether to receive payments weekly or every four weeks. To apply for the tax credits please visit the HM Revenue & Customs website

Help for Lone Parents

If you are a lone parent bringing up a child and working under 16 hours per week you could join New Deal for Lone Parents. This is a Government programme specifically designed to help lone parents who want to work. You can arrange to see your New Deal for Lone Parents personal advisor for advice and information. Once you join this programme, you will be offered advice on jobs, training and benefits, help with finding out about childcare and help with childcare costs.

Whilst training you could qualify for funding for one or more children to help you pay for childcare. If your childcare costs are more than you are entitled to, you will have to pay the difference.

Our FIS outreach workers are available to provide information advice, guidance and support to parents about childcare. The outreach workers works with Jobcentre Plus staff to help people who need to find childcare to enable them to take up training or employment.

To find out more contact your local Job Centre or visit the NewDeal website. Alternatively you may contact the FIS and ask to speak with the outreach workers on 020 7641 7929 or email: fis@westminster.gov.uk