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 £122.50 for one child and up to £210 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).
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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 up to £122.50 for one child and up to £210 for two or more children. To apply for tax credits or to find out if you are eligible visit the HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) website or call their helpline on 0845 300 3900.
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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. 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 under 20 years and in approved education or training 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 HMRC website or download a copy of our tax credit leaflet below.
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Help for Lone Parents
You may be eligible for In Work Credit for lone parents leaving benefits and starting work or self-employment - claim up to £60 a week. What you'll get:
- £40 a week if you live outside London
- £60 a week if you live in London
Jobcentre Plus can tell you if you qualify as living in London for In Work Credit.
You can get In Work Credit for up to a year, as long as you carry on working an average of 16 hours or more a week and continue to meet the other conditions for getting In Work Credit.
No new awards of In Work Credit will be made from 1 October 2013.
Check if you are eligible to claim In Work Credit.
Alternatively you may contact the FIS and ask to speak with an outreach officer on 020 7641 7929 or email: fis@westminster.gov.uk.
Find out about other agencies that can help with childcare costs.
Help and Advice for Families
The Citizens' Advice Bureaux provide free, confidential and independent advice from over 3,000 locations including in bureaux, GP surgeries, hospitals, colleges, prisons and courts. Advice is available face-to-face and by telephone. Most bureaux offer home visits and some also provide email advice. Our advice helps people resolve their debt, benefits, housing, legal, discrimination, employment, immigration, consumer and other problems and is available to everyone regardless of race, gender, sexuality, age, nationality, disability or religion.
Contact the Citizens Advice Bureau for your local office.
Local offices in Westminster:
CAB Paddington 414 Harrow Road W10 4RE. Advice line: 0870 126 4040
CAB Pimlico 140 Tachbrook Street SW1V 2NE. Advice line: 0870 126 4040
Contact the Family Information Service and ask for a copy of their financial support factsheet. Call the helpline on 020 7641 7929 or email: fis@westminster.gov.uk for a copy.
Find out if you are eligible for help with childcare costs.
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