Childcare costs
Key information
If you are working, preparing to work or in
education, you might get help with childcare
costs.
Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland and
Northern Ireland
Age rules: There are no specific age rules
Type of benefit: Depends on the benefit
Taxable: No
Administered by: Depends on the benefit
You can read through this information sheet, or go directly to
the sections you want to read by clicking on these links:
In work
If you are working, you may be able to get
help with childcare costs through the following sources:
If your employer offers you childcare vouchers, you may want to
know if you would be better off having the vouchers or claiming for
help with childcare costs through the Childcare Element of Working
Tax Credit. To check this, you can use the childcare cost calculator
(link opens in a new window) on the HM Revenue and Customs
(HMRC) website.
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Looking for work
If you are a single parent on a government scheme called
the New Deal for Lone Parents, you may be to get help with
childcare so that you can do a training course or look for
work.
Ask your local
JobCentre Plus office (link opens in a new window) for
more information.
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Preparing to start a new job
If you are on a government scheme called the New Deal for
Lone Parents or the New Deal for Partners, you can get help with
childcare costs for the week before you start work to let you and
your child get used to the arrangement.
Ask your local
JobCentre Plus office (link opens in a new window) for
more information.
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In education
If you are in education, you may be able to get help with
childcare costs through the following sources:
- if you are under 18, you may be able to get help with the costs
of childcare if you go back to school
- if you are a student, you might get extra money to help with
childcare costs.
See Benefits for students
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