Benefits for people paying childcare costs
Summary
If you are claiming housing benefit and/or council tax benefit and you have to pay for somebody to look after your child(ren) whilst you are at work, you may be entitled to extra benefit. First read the guidance to see if you are eligible, and if so download the form and follow the instructions below.
How to apply for extra benefits for childcare costs
- See the 'further information' below to find out if you can get extra help;
- Download and print out the application form below;
- Complete section 1, which asks for your details and the details of your child/children;
- Sign and date the form, then take it to your childcare provider to fill in and sign Part 2 - this is for proof of your childcare costs;
- Once the form is complete send it to Revenues Services at the address at the foot of this page (also included on the form).
Printable forms
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Further information
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 child care costs. These can be taken into account when we are working out your entitlement to either housing benefit or council tax benefit if the conditions below apply:
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, 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, or;
- One of the couple is in legal custody.
What child care costs can be taken into account?
Up to £175 per week for one child or £300 per week in total for two or more children.
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 play scheme;
- 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), or;
- An out of hours club provided by a school on school premises for a child aged eight years of age or more.
We will need to see proof of the childcare payments you make, and a copy of your childminders registration certificate. Please note that we cannot take account of any charges for care provided in the claimant’s own home by a partner or close relative.
If you would like to claim benefit
- If you do not already receive Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, housing benefit or council tax benefit;
- and you are paying for Child Care for a child under 15 (or 16 if disabled);
Please download, complete and return the above form along with a your housing and council tax benefit claim form.
Contact us
| contact officer/team: | Benefits Team |
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| web: | online enquiry form |
| email: | benefitsmailbox@s-norfolk.gov.uk |
| freephone: | 0808 178 7143 |
| telephone: | 01508 533633 |
| minicom/textphone: | 01508 533622 |
| address: | South Norfolk Council South Norfolk House Swan Lane Long Stratton Norwich NR15 2XE |
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If you need information in large print, audio cassette, braille, translation (written or verbal) or signed interpretation, let us know when you contact us.
