Child Care Costs
Claims for Housing/Council Tax benefit include help for parents with child care costs.
The cost of the care up to certain limits can be taken off your earnings, working or child tax credits when we calculate your benefit entitlement. This may increase the total amount of benefit that you are entitled to.
You can claim child care costs if you are a lone parent and:
- You work 16 hours a week or more
- You are on maternity leave and receive Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance
Couples can claim if:
- You both work 16 hours or more each week
- One of you works 16 hours or more each week and the other is disabled or blind and receiving benefits, or
- One of you works 16 hours a week or more and the other is on maternity leave and receives Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance
Only certain child care costs apply, the child must be under 15 years old, 16 if they are disabled, and their care must be provided by:
- A registered child minder
- A registered nursery or play scheme
- An out of hours scheme run by an approved provider
- An out of hours club or scheme provided by a school or a Local Authority. This usually only applies if the child is aged 8 or over.
The maximum amounts for child care that are allowed are:
- £175.00 per week for 1 child
- £300.00 per week for 2 or more children.
Further information
If you have any further queries, please contact us.
