Childcare Subsidy for lone parents working part-timeExtra help for working families with children. The help is not taxable and you do not have to have paid National Insurance Contributions to qualify.
Who can qualify for the extra help?If you are participating in New Deal for lone parents or New Deal for partners and undertake approved and agreed part-time work of less than 16 hours per week; you may be entitled to help with childcare costs in the form of a Childcare Subsidy which will be paid directly to the childcare provider.
The help is available if you are a lone parent who participates in New Deal for lone parents and undertakes approved and agreed part-time work of less than 16 hours per week.
The part-time work must:
- be based in the UK;
- comply with UK tax and employment legislation (e.g. National Minimum Wage);
- be expected to last for at least 5 weeks;
- be taken on the recommendation of a Personal Adviser.
The job must not have already started when you join the New Deal for lone parents programme or New Deal for partners.
What types of childcare count?The childcare provider can only receive the Childcare Subsidy if the childcare is provided by:
- Childminders, nurseries or play schemes registered with the Health and Social Services Board
- Out of hours clubs run by schools on school premises
- Childcare schemes run on Crown Property or which are exempt from the requirement to be registered.
You can apply for the Childcare Subsidy by completing, Form LPF110 for lone parents and Form LPF110A for partners, available from Personal Advisers. The childcare provider must also sign this form.
The subsidy is paid directly into the childcare provider's Bank or Building Society account.
Childcare Subsidy can be paid for a maximum period of 52 weeks from when you first start part-time work. You cannot requalify for a further payment of the Childcare Subsidy .
Help with childcare costs can be paid up to, but not including, the first Tuesday in September following your child's 15th birthday.
You can claim the Childcare Subsidy for the actual cost of childcare whilst you are working. The rates are:
- £67.50 per week for one child, or
- £100.00 per week for two or more children
There is no maximum daily limit. In very exceptional cases higher weekly amounts may be authorised.
Undertaking part-time work may have an effect on the benefits you receive.
Payments of Childcare Subsidy will be fully disregarded when calculating entitlement to Income Support.
The Childcare Subsidy can be paid whilst you are undertaking more than one part-time job as long as the combined hours of work are less than 16 hours per week.
For further information contact your local Social Security or Jobs & Benefits office. You may also be able to contact the New Deal Personal Adviser at your local JobCentre.
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