Benefits and Childcare Support

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Childcare Support

A Quick Overview of Childcare Vouchers Childcare vouchers are a benefit scheme offered by employers, allowing you to take part of your salary in vouchers. No tax or National Insurance (NI) is charged on the portion of your salary allocated as childcare vouchers. Read here for a quick overview of what the benefit scheme offers, and if you qualify.

Childcare Vouchers - A Detailed Explanation  Here you can find all you need to know about the governmental benefit scheme - what childcare vouchers are, who is eligible, how to use them, and how to apply.

Childcare Support Whilst Learning  If you are beginning or resuming education at university or college, there are various ways to obtain financial support with childcare expenses through governmental or institution-funded schemes. Here you can find an outline of the three main options, along with information on how much you can potentially receive and how to apply.

Junior ISA

The Junior ISA was launched on 1 November 2011 as a replacement for the Child Trust Fund. Any child who did not qualify for a Child Trust Fund account may open a Junior ISA, and contribute up to £3,600 a year tax-free. There are two types of Junior ISA: Stocks & Shares Junior ISAs, and Cash Junior ISAs. To compare the different Junior ISA provider deals on the market, visit our Junior ISA comparison table, or read more about Stocks & Shares Junior ISAs and Cash Junior ISAs.

Child Benefit

A child benefit payment is a tax-free sum of money available to everyone who is responsible for bringing up a child.  Learn more About Child Benefits or call the advice helpline on 0845 302 1444.

Child Tax Credit

A top-up for families with a household income of less than £66,000, or less than £58,000 after the child’s first birthday. Find more Information on Child Tax Credits or call the helpline on 0845 300 3900.

It’s worth taking a look at these too 

• New mothers are entitled to free prescriptions and NHS dental treatment for a period of 12 months after giving birth to your child. Children can also get free NHS prescriptions until they’re 16. To receive an Exemption Certificate ask for a form at your doctor’s surgery. 
• If you’re a new mum aged 16 or over and are not available for work (as a single parent for example) you can claim income support to help with day-to-day living costs. For further information or to find out if you are elegible to claim income support you can phone Jobcentre Plus directly on 0800 055 6688 
• If you’re under the age of 20 and want to continue education or return to learning then you could receive help with your childcare and travel costs through the Care to Learn Scheme. You may also be able to claim Education Maintenance Allowance. For more information on the Care to Learn scheme contact 0845 600 7979 or visit DirectGov Care to Learn. 
• Healthy Start provides eligible families with weekly vouchers which can be spent on essentials such as milk, fresh fruit & vegetables and infant formula milk. You can also get free vitamin supplements for both yourself and your baby. To find out if you qualify for Healthy Start or for more information call the helpline on 0845 607 6823 or visit NHS Healthystart.

Find out more about entitlements available from Direct.Gov.
Remember, don’t forget to check what you’re entitled to.  

 

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