Solihull Children's Information Service

Financial Assistance

Information for parents and carers

Tax Credits

Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit support families with children and working people on low incomes. They give support to families' specific circumstances, and respond to their changing needs, but helping when they need it most.

Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit do not affect Child Benefit payments, which we pay separately.

Child Tax Credit

Child Tax Credit supports families with children and 16 to 18 year olds in full time education (up to and including 'A' levels, NVQ level 3 or equivalent). We base the amount you get on your household income.

You do not have to be working to claim Child Tax Credit.

Working Tax Credit

Working Tax Credit supports working people (employed or self-employed) on low incomes by topping up earnings. It has several elements and we base the amount you get on your circumstances. There are extra amounts for:

• Working at least 30 hours a week
• Working people who have a disability, and
• The costs of 'registered' or 'approved' childcare, known as the childcare element.

If you are responsible for a child or young person, you can claim Working Tax Credit if you are aged 16 or over and work at least 16 hours a week.

The childcare element of Working Tax Credit

You may be able to get extra help with the costs of 'registered' or 'approved' childcare. This is the childcare element of Working Tax Credit.

Can I claim the childcare element?

If you are a lone parent, to claim the childcare element you must be aged 16 or over and you must work at least 16 hours a week.

Of you are a couple, to claim the childcare element you must both be aged 16 or over and either

• Both of you work at least 16 hours a week, or
• One partner works at least 16 hours a week and the other partner is:
  • incapacitated
  • an in-patient in hospital, or
  • in prison.

*We consider you incapacitated if you receive one of the incapacity or disability benefits listed in the notes that go with the claim form.

If you are receiving Maternity Allowance, Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Adoption Pay or Statutory Paternity Pay, we treat you as being in work from the date you start receiving these payments, as long as you were in qualifying paid work (of at least 16 or 30 hours, whichever applies) before going on leave.

If you are becoming a parent for the first time, Working Tax Credit is available before the baby or child arrives if you were aged 25 or over and worked at least 30 hours a week before the maternity, adoption or paternity leave began. You can claim Working Tax Credit, including the childcare element, from the child's date of birth or placement for adoption, as long as you usually worked at least 16 hours a week before the maternity, adoption or paternity leave began.

Working Tax Credit is available if you worked at least 16 hours a week before the leave began. You can claim the childcare element to help with the costs of eligible childcare for the new baby or child as well as for the other children in your family. This will help you to settle a new baby or child into childcare before returning to work.

You should claim Child Tax Credit and Child Benefit for the new child as soon as possible.

Early Education Funding - Free Childcare Places for 3 and 4 year olds

Who is eligible to receive the free part time places?

All three and four year olds starting from the first school term after their third birthday are entitled to part time places up until compulsory school age.

When will my child be eligible?

What does the 'part time place' consist of?

Your child is entitled to early education for:

• 2.5 hours per day
• 5 sessions per week
• 38 weeks per year

The maximum sessions you can take, are 5 free 2.5 hour sessions per week, but you can choose to take less than this.

Will I have to make a financial contribution?

No, not for the basic free entitlement of 5 x 2.5 hour sessions for the 38 weeks of the year.

What if I need more hours?

Childcare providers will charge the parent/carer for day care provided over and above the two and a half (2.5) hours.

Where are the free places available?

They could be:

• A nursery class in a primary school
• A private nursery school
• A pre-school or playgroup
• A day nursery
• An independent school

The nursery education provider must be registered with the council, to deliver the Foundation Stage, in order to claim the funding.

Consult the 'Primary Education' booklet or Solihull Children's Information Service on 0800 389 8667 for a list of providers

Contact

Telephone helpline: 0800 389 8667

Email: Childrensinfo@solihull.gov.uk