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Help with childcare costs

 
If you claim Working Tax Credit (WTC), you may be able to get help with childcare costs while you work. To get this help, the childcare must be with a registered childminder, eligible nursery, pre-school, breakfast or after-school club, holiday scheme or approved home carers (or nannies).

What you get

You can get help towards childcare costs of up to £175 per week for one child or £300 for two or more children. How much help you get depends on your circumstances.

Payment is made to the main carer of the children together with Child Tax Credit.

Who can claim?

You can have help with childcare included in your Working Tax Credit claim if you are:

  • a lone parent
  • a couple and both of you work for 16 hours or more per week
  • a couple and one of you works and the other doesn't due to ill health.
You can claim up to the September after your child's 15th birthday (16th for children with special needs)

If you have children and are at work the Tax Credits booklet will help you to understand what you are entitled to.

How to claim

You can claim help with childcare cost as part of your Working Tax Credits claim. Ring the Tax credits helpline on 0845 300 3900 (or 0845 300 3909 for textphone users).

You must tell HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) within one month if your childcare ends, or the average costs change by more than £10 a week for four weeks or more. Try to do this in writing and keep a copy.

Remember to tell HMRC if you pay for childcare during holiday periods, even if you don't have any costs during term-time.

More information

If you pay for approved childcare, it’s also worth checking if you can get Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit – up to £175 of your earnings can be ignored for one child (up to £300 for two or more children).

Contact Greenwich Welfare Rights Service using the number on the right or our online enquiry form.

Or call HMRC on 0845 9000 404 and ask for a copy of leaflet WTC5, "Help with the costs of childcare".

Other help

See Help with nursery and childcare costs for a round up of assistance and grants you may be able to claim. It could make all the difference!

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