If you are getting housing benefit and/or council tax benefit and you have to pay child care costs for somebody to look after your child(ren) whilst you are at work, you may be entitled to extra benefit.
The amount of childcare costs that we can take into account is up to £175 for one child or £300 for two or more children.
Who can apply for help with childcare costs?
If you fall into one of the groups below you may be able to claim help with your childcare costs:
Lone Parents
You can apply if:
- You work 16 hours or more a week or
- You are on maternity leave and receiving Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance.
Couples
You can apply if:
- Both of you work 16 hours or more a week or
- One of you works 16 hours or more a week and the other is disabled or blind and receiving certain other benefits, or
- One of you works 16 hours or more a week and the other is on maternity leave and receiving Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance.
Click on the Icon below to download a leaflet all about Child Care Costs and Housing / Council Tax Benefit.
What child care costs can be taken into account?
The child must be under 15 years of age or 16 if they are disabled, and the care must be provided by one of the following:
- A registered Childminder.
- A registered nursery or playscheme.
- An out of hours scheme run by an approved provider. Your out of hours scheme will be able to tell you whether or not they are approved.
- An out of hours club provided by a school on school premises.
We will need to see proof of the childcare payments you make, and a copy of your Childminder's Registration Certificate.
If you would like to claim Housing / Council Tax Benefit:
If you do not already receive Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit and you are paying for Child Care for a child under 15 (or 16 if disabled) and you would like to apply for help with your Rent and/or Council Tax, please contact the Benefits Section or download our application form by clicking the icon below.
Date of last review: 27 August 2008