Benefits for Kids

QUIDS FOR KIDSMake sure you’re not missing out!Help with childcare costs andinformation on benefits for families.

Hounslow Children’s Information Service:0800 783 1696

email: childcare.information@hounslow.gov.ukwww.hounslowearlyyears.org.uk

Do you have children?

Are you confused about what benefits and help you and your family can access?Many families struggle with the expense of childcare and raising young children, and thisguide aims to help explain the major types of financial help available, and how you canclaim them. Many families do not claim financial help because they think that they will notbe eligible. However, by reading through this booklet you can make sure that you will notmiss out!

How to use this guide

In the quick reference table on the following pages, look at the ‘circumstances’ column andselect the section(s) that suits you best. Next to this, we have listed possible sources offinancial assistance available to you. Turn to the pages listed to find out if you are eligibleand how to claim.

Please note that most people will fit into more than one category, for example, everyonewill benefit from reading through the ‘All Parents’ category, but then additional sections arerelevant depending on whether or not you are working, if your child is disabled, if you arestill studying, and so on. Make sure that you read each section carefully to ensure you readall the categories that you fit into, and therefore making sure that you are not missing out onany possible areas that may benefit you.

Hounslow Children’s Information Service

The Children’s Information Service offers information and guidance on local childcare andearly years provision, including how to choose appropriate care to meet your needs. We haveproduced this guide to explain what financial assistance may be available to you and yourfamily, including help with the cost of childcare.

To receive up to date lists of registered childcare provision in the borough including nurseries,out of school and holiday schemes, childminders, pre-school playgroups, parent and toddlergroups etc., or for any other childcare or family-related enquiry, please feel free to contact us:

Helpline: 0800 783 1696 (Monday - Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm)Email: [email protected]

PLEASE NOTE: Eligibility to claim any of the benefits and grants listed in this guide, and howmuch you will receive, will depend on individual circumstances. Every effort has been taken toensure the accuracy of the information in this booklet, however we cannot guarantee that theinformation contained is absolutely accurate. This is because the information and entitlementfigures detailed in this booklet were correct at the time of going to press and are subject to(usually yearly) change.

QUIDS FOR KIDS i

1 QUIDS FOR KIDS MAKE SURE YOU’RE NOT MISSING OUT!

QUICK REFERENCE TABLE

CIRCUMSTANCES POSSIBLE FINANCIAL HELP PAGE

1. All Parents Child Benefit 3

Child Tax Credit 3

Nursery Education Grant 4

2. Expecting a Baby Sure Start Maternity Grant 5

Child Trust Fund 5

Healthy Start Scheme 6

Income Support 9

Housing / Council Tax Benefit 9

Maternity Leave 6

Statutory Maternity Pay 6

Maternity Allowance 7

Statutory Paternity Pay 7

Parental Leave 7

Adoption Leave 7

Keeping in Touch Days 7

3. Parent using childcare Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit 8

Help from your employer / Childcare Vouchers 13

Nursery Education Grant 4

4. You (and your partner) are not Income Support 9

working or are working less Housing / Council Tax Benefit 9

than 16 hours a week Social Fund 9

Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance 10

Free School Meals 11

School Uniform Grant 11

Healthy Start Scheme 12

5. Returning to work Working Tax Credit 12

or Starting Work Help from your employer / Childcare Vouchers 13


6. Student Learner Support Fund 14

Childcare Support Fund 14

Childcare Grant 14

Parent’s Learning Allowance 14

Access to Learning Fund 14

Career Development Loan 15

Sixth Form / College Travel Grant 15

NHS Childcare Allowance 15

Student Support and Education Benefits 16

Grants and Bursaries 16

7. Teenage Parent Care to Learn 16

Education Maintenance Allowance 17

Connexions 17

8. Lone Parent New Deal for Lone Parents 17

9. Caring for a sick or disabled child Disability Living Allowance 18

Carer’s Allowance 19

Direct Payments 19

Disabled Element of Child Tax Credit 20

Income Support 9


Covering the day-to-day costs 19

10.List of Useful Contacts 20

QUIDS FOR KIDS 2

Child Benefit

Child Benefit is a tax-free regular payment made to anyone bringing up a child or youngperson. It’s paid for each child that qualifies and isn’t affected by income or savings, somost people bringing up a child can receive it. You’ll be able to get Child Benefit if you’rebringing up:

• a child aged under 16• a young person under 19 (under 20 in some cases) who is either studying in

full-time education (A level or equivalent) or an approved training programme• a 16 or 17 year old who recently left full-time further education or approved training

and has registered for work or training with the Careers or Connexions Serviceor similar.

You will receive £18.80 per week for the eldest child and £12.55 per week for eachadditional child. You should claim Child Benefit as soon as:

• your child is born• a child or young person comes to live with you• you adopt a child• you start to contribute to the cost of looking after a child

To get Child Benefit, you’ll need to complete a claim form and submit the child or youngperson’s birth or adoption certificate. Photocopies cannot be accepted. Child Benefit canbe paid into a bank, building society, Post Office® card account or National Savingsaccount that accepts Direct Payment. Child Benefit is paid every four weeks, but it canbe paid weekly if:

• you’re a single parent• you or your partner or civil partner are getting Income Support or Income-based

Jobseeker’s Allowance

How to claim: Call 08453 021 444 or visit http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit

Child Tax Credit

The Child Tax Credit is for people who have at least one dependant child aged under 16years, or who have at least one dependant child aged under 20 years who is in full-timenon-advanced education or registered with the Careers Service or Connexions Service.The credit is paid to the main carer, that is, the person who is mainly responsible forlooking after the children. You do not have to be in work to claim this credit, so studentsand the unemployed can claim.

Families with incomes of up to £58,157 a year (or £66,350 per year if there is at least onechild aged under one year old) can benefit from the Child Tax Credit. You do not have tobe the child’s parent to be eligible, but you must be the main person responsible for them.

1. ALL PARENTS


A family on Income Support will receive the full family element plus child allowances. Familieson higher incomes will still receive a basic family allocation per year. There are also DisabledChild and Severely disabled child elements for children with a disability.

Child Tax Credit is not intended to cover childcare costs, although parents may choose to useit for this purpose. Please see the table below for a break down of the elements which makeup the child tax credit. Remember that these amounts are the maximum amount availableand may be reduced depending on your income.

Element Maximum amount per annum

To find out if you are eligible or to make a claim call the Tax Credits Helpline on0845 300 3900 (open 8.00am to 8.00pm) or visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/childcare and click onthe ‘individuals and employees’ tab.

Nursery Education Grant

The Nursery Education Grant is funding which entitles all three and four year olds to a freepart time place in a registered childcare setting that provides quality early years education.A free part time place is for 12.5 hours a week over 38 weeks of the year. The 12.5 hoursper week are broken down into five 2.5-hour sessions and can be taken in the mornings,afternoons or a combination of both.

Children become eligible for the grant from the start of the term following their third birthday.If your child’s third birthday is between

• 1st Jan – 31st March (Spring term) he/she can claim at the beginning of the summer term.• 1st April – 31st August (Summer term) he/she can claim at the beginning of the autumn term.• 1st Sept – 31st Dec (Autumn term) he/she can claim at the beginning of the spring term.

The registered childcare provider will make a claim to the London Borough of Hounslow onyour behalf on a particular date set by the local authority each term. This is usually 2 weeksinto the start of each new term and it is the parent/carers responsibility to ensure that theirchild is enrolled in an eligible setting prior to this date as they will not be able to claim if theystart after this date.

If your child attends a setting where sessions last for more than 2.5 hours, the setting mayrequest additional fees for the time over the free 2.5 hours. Charges for extra time vary fromsetting to setting and are not controlled by the local authority. Settings should give clearinformation on charges for extra time and for any optional services. Most settings willautomatically give this information, but if you do not receive it – ask before registering yourchild with the setting.

For a list of settings in your area that are part of Hounslow Early Years Development &Childcare Partnership offering NEG, please contact: Children’s Information Serviceon 0800 783 1696

Family Element £545Baby Element (up to a child’s 1st birthday) £545Child Element (per child) £2,085Disabled Child Element £2,540Severely Disabled Child Element (per child) £1,020

QUIDS FOR KIDS 4

Sure Start Maternity Grant

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a one-off payment of £500 to help towards costs of a newbaby. The grant is available to those on a low income and does not need to be repaid.You can get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if you or your partner receive any of the following:

• Income Support• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance• Pension Credit• Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element• Working Tax Credit where a disability or severe disability element

is included in the award

and if one of the following applies to you:• you or your partner are pregnant and expecting a baby within 11 weeks or have

given birth within the last three months• you or your partner have adopted a child, or in certain circumstances have been

granted a residence order for a child, within the last three months and the child isless than one year old

• you and your husband or wife have been granted a parental order for a surrogatebirth within the last three months

• you or your partner are getting benefit for a dependant under the age of 20 who ispregnant and expecting a baby within 11 weeks or has given birth within the lastthree months

You can apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant by completing claim pack SF100 (Sure Start).To get a claim pack, contact Jobcentre Plus (see page 20 for more information) or you candownload a copy from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) website:www.dwp.gov.uk You should return your completed claim pack to your local Jobcentre Plus.

Child Trust Fund

The Child Trust Fund (CTF) is a long-term tax-free savings and investment account forchildren born on or after 1st September 2002. The government will give every eligible child avoucher worth at least £250 to start the fund.Use the government voucher to invest in a special account that your child will be able toaccess when they reach 18. Parents, family and friends can add up to £1,200 to the accounteach year.

Your child will be eligible if they:• were born on or after 1 September 2002• qualify for Child Benefit• are living in the UK• are not subject to any immigration restriction

The government will send you a CTF voucher of £250 to start your child’s account.If your child is part of a household getting Child Tax Credit, with a household income at orbelow £15,575 (tax year 2008-2009), your child will get an extra £250 although this will bepaid directly into the Child Trust Fund account. You’ll also get an additional payment of £250(£500 if you’re on a low income) once your child reaches seven years of age.

2. EXPECTING A BABY


To qualify for a voucher you have to be claiming Child Benefit for your child.If you haven’t received a voucher within a month of starting to claim Child Benefit, or if youlose the one you have, call the CTF helpline on 0845 302 1470 (open 08.00 am to 8.00 pmseven days a week).

If you don’t open a Child Trust Fund account within 12 months of the date shown on thevoucher, the government will automatically open a Child Trust Fund account for your child.You can open a Child Trust Fund account:

• at banks, building societies or friendly societies• with fund managers, insurance companies or investment trusts• through local high street shops (working in partnership with providers to make CTF

accounts easily available)

Healthy Start Scheme

You may be entitled to free milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, infant formula and vitamins underthe Healthy Start scheme.You may qualify if you’re pregnant and/or have at least one child under four years old andyour family gets any of the following:

• Income Support• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance• Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit unless your family is receiving Working

Tax Credit run-on only) with an annual family income of £15,575 or less (for2008/2009),

Or, if you are pregnant and under 18 years old.

If you are eligible, you may be able to get vouchers worth £3.00 each that can be spent onmilk, fresh fruit and vegetables or infant formula. Pregnant women and children over one andunder four years old get one voucher a week. Children under one year old get two vouchers aweek. You can also get free vitamin supplements. They’re usually available from NHS clinicsand health centres but your midwife or health visitor will be able to advise on localarrangements. You’ll need to complete an application form and get your midwife, health visitoror registered doctor or nurse to sign it.You can request a Healthy Start application form bycalling 08701 555 455 and quoting reference HS01, or you can download a form fromwww.healthystart.nhs.uk

Maternity Leave

All working mothers are entitled to 26 weeks of Ordinary Maternity Leave (OML); no matterhow long you have worked for your current employer or the number of hours you work. Youhave the right to return to the same job at the end of this period. You may also take AdditionalMaternity Leave for a further 26 weeks directly after your 26-week period on OML, althoughthis additional leave is unpaid. The maximum leave entitlement is therefore 52 weeks.

Statutory Maternity Pay

If you have worked for your employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th week before your babyis due, and you earn at least £90 per week (before tax), then you are entitled to StatutoryMaternity Pay (SMP). SMP is paid for a maximum period of 39 weeks. For the first 6 weekson SMP, you would be paid 90% of your average weekly earnings. For the remaining 33weeks you will be paid £117.18 or 90% of your weekly wages, whichever is smaller. Someemployers do offer to top this up. To check your maternity rights you can use the TailoredInteractive Guidance on Employment Rights (TIGER) tool available at thisweb address: http://tiger.direct.gov.uk/maternity

QUIDS FOR KIDS 6

Maternity Allowance

If you are working but are not eligible to receive SMP through your employer or if you areself-employed then you can claim Maternity Allowance (MA). This is paid directly to you bythe Inland Revenue. MA is paid at varying rates depending on your income, but as a generalrule MA is paid at a rate of £117.18 per week or 90% of your earnings, whichever is smaller,for a maximum of 39 weeks. You may also be able to get extra money for your husband, civilpartner or someone else who looks after your child/ren, if that person is on a very low income.For more information speak to your local Jobcentre Plus (see page 20).

Statutory Paternity Pay

Fathers are entitled to up to two weeks of Statutory Paternity Pay (SPP). To be able to claimthis, you must have worked for your current employer for at least 26 weeks by the 15th weekbefore your partner is due to give birth. You would be paid £117.18 per week or 90% of yourearnings, whichever is smaller. Some employers have their own paternity leave arrangements– check your employment contract to see if this is mentioned. You can always choose SPP ifthis suits you better.

Parental Leave

If you have worked for the same employer for more than a year, and you are a parent of achild under 5 years of age, or of a disabled child under 18 years of age, then you have astatutory right to take unpaid time off to care for them. This amounts to 13 weeks off work (intotal, not per year) for each child, up to their fifth birthday (or up to five years after theplacement date of an adopted child), or 18 weeks for each disabled child, up to the child’s18th birthday. If you’re separated and your ex-partner looks after the child/ren, you have theright to parental leave if you keep formal parental responsibility for the child/ren.

Adoption Leave

If you are adopting a child then you have the same rights to Maternity and Paternityentitlements, as would biological parents, including the levels of pay and eligibility criteria.The partner within a couple who is not taking Adoption Leave is entitled to Paternity Leave.

Keeping in Touch Days

During your leave it is often helpful to keep in touch with your employer. Your employer isentitled to make reasonable contact with you during maternity leave. This might be to discusssuch things as arrangements for your return to work, or to update you on any significantchanges in the workplace while you’ve been away.

Your maternity leave and pay will normally come to an end when you return to work. However,if the week your baby is expected to be born starts on or after 1 April 2007, you are entitled todo up to ten days work during your maternity leave without losing maternity pay or bringingyour leave to an end.

These ‘keeping in touch days’ may only be worked if both you and your employer agree.Although particularly useful for things such as training or team events, they may be used forany form of work and should make it easier to return to work after your leave. You will need toagree with your employer what work is to be done on Keeping in Touch Days and how muchpay you will receive for them.


Childcare Element of the Working Tax Credit

Financial help may be available to help with your childcare costs so long as you are usingregistered childcare and if, as a lone parent you work at least 16 hours per week or, as acouple one of you both work at least 16 hours per week (exceptions apply if you or yourpartner are getting Disability Allowance, Incapacity Benefit / Employment and SupportAllowance, or if in hospital or in prison).

The childcare element of the Working Tax Credit (WTC) can pay for up to 80% of yourregistered childcare costs, which means that you can claim up to a maximum of 80p for every£1 that you spend on registered childcare, up to a certain limit. The maximum you can claimback is up to 80% of £175 per week (80% = £140) for one child and up to 80% of £300 (80%= £240) per week for two or more children.

As with other elements of WTC, the maximum amount you are eligible for is worked out, andthen reduced in line with any income you earn above a certain threshold. As the childcareelement takes into account your childcare costs when working out your income, those withchildcare costs close to or above the upper limits (£175 per week for one child or £240 perweek for two or more children) may be entitled to some credits, even if on a relatively highincome. Therefore it is always best to call the Helpline or use the calculator below toestablish if you may be eligible for some assistance.

The childcare element of WTC is paid directly into the bank account of the child’s main carerto assist with the costs of using registered childcare. This includes registered childminders,private day nurseries, playgroups, holiday playschemes, before and after school clubs andnannies/au pairs and other forms of childcare that are registered on the voluntary part of theOfsted Childcare Register (the VOCR).

To find out if you are eligible or to make a claim call the Tax Credits Helpline on 0845 3003900 (open 8am – 8pm) or visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits

You can also use a tax credits calculator that will do a quick calculation to see how much youcould be in line to save at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/calcs/ccin.htm

3. PARENT USING CHILDCARE

As a parent using childcare you may also benefit from:• Nursery Education Grant .......................see page 4• Childcare Vouchers ................................see page 13

QUIDS FOR KIDS 8

Income Support

Income support is an income-related benefit that provides financial help for people whoseincome is below the minimum level. The amount of assistance you get will depend on yourfinancial resources and circumstances. Income support can help you if you are: unable towork because of an illness or disability, can only work part-time, a lone parent or carer.

You can claim for your family, which can consist of yourself, your husband or wife or civilpartner and dependent children. On or after 06/04/2004 you will have to claim for dependantchildren or young people through the Child Tax Credits.

Part of your application to income support may include support for housing costs that are notmet by housing benefit. If you receive Income Support you may also be able to receive helpfor Council Tax, Housing Benefits and Health Costs.

For more information please contact your local Jobcentre Plus Office or visitwww.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Housing / Council Tax Benefit

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are two means-tested benefits available for peopleon low incomes. The benefits are paid by your local authority to help you pay your rent orcouncil tax. The amount of benefit you receive will depend on how much money/income yourhousehold receives, the number of people in your household and their circumstances and theamount of rent/council tax you pay. Even if you are in full-time employment, you may still beeligible.

To check your eligibility and to request an application form, contact the London Borough ofHounslow Revenue Services team on 020 8583 4242 or visitwww.hounslow.gov.uk/index/housing/housing_benefit.htm

If your Housing or Council Tax Benefit is less than the amount being charged for rent orcouncil tax, and you are struggling to pay these fees, you may also be entitled toDiscretionary Housing Payment (DHP). Please contact Revenue Services on the numberabove for more information

Social Fund Payments

The Social Fund can help you with exceptional expenses, which you might find hard to payfor if you are on a low income. The three types of support available through the Social Fundare known as the Community Care Grant, Budgeting Loan or Crisis loan.

The fund can be used to help pay for household items, clothing, certain travel costs, securityor improvements to your home, expenses related to looking for or starting work or costsincurred during an emergency as a result of a disaster.

4. YOU (AND YOUR PARTNER) ARE NOT WORKING OR ARE WORKINGLESS THAN 16 HOURS PER WEEK


With the Community Care Grant you must be claiming Income Support or income-basedJobseeker’s Allowance. For Budgeting Loans you must have been receiving these benefitsfor at least 26 weeks. For Crisis Loans you do not have to already be receiving benefits.For both loans you will have to pay back any money you get and this is usually worked outby deducting from any benefits or entitlements you are receiving. The Community Care Grantdoes not have to be repaid.

For further information about Social Fund payments contact your local Jobcentre Plus office(see page 20) or visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance is the main benefit for people who are out of work and are lookingfor full time work or work less than 16 hours a week. There are two types of jobseeker’sallowance: ‘Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance’ which is based on the amount ofnational insurance you have paid in the last 2 years, and ‘income based jobseeker’sallowance’ which is based on your income and savings. If you apply for income based jobseeker’s allowance you will need to apply for support for your children through Child TaxCredits.

You must visit your job centre once every two weeks and sign a declaration that you havebeen looking for work as part of your Jobseeker’s agreement.

With income based Jobseeker’s Allowance you may be able to get additional help with schoolmeals and health costs. Pregnant women and parents with children under 5 can getassistance with free milk and vitamins.

Please contact your local Jobcentre Plus office (see page 20) for more information or visitwww.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

QUIDS FOR KIDS 10

Free school meals

Parents in receipt of certain benefits, who have children in schools maintained by HounslowLEA may be able to claim for free school meals. (If you have a child or children in a schoolwhich is not maintained by Hounslow LEA, you should ask the school how to apply for freeschool meals). Your children are entitled to free school meals if you are:

• in receipt of Income Support• in receipt of Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance• in receipt of Child Tax Credit, but not entitled to a Working Tax Credit and have

an annual income (as assessed by the Inland Revenue) of no more than £14,495• being supported by the National Asylum Support Service (NASS)• being supported by a local authority Social Services Asylum Team (SSAT).

To apply, You must complete an application form and provide your Local Education Authoritywith proof that you are in receipt of one of the above. Proof required:• You must provide us with proof that you are in receipt of one of the above forms ofincome or support. The proof must state your name, address and type of income /support you receive and must be no more than a month old

• If you are in receipt of Child Tax Credit, your Local Education Authority must see yourcurrent Tax Credit Award notice (form TC602), which was sent to you by theInland Revenue

Original documents must be provided as proof of income – photocopies will not be accepted.Please note that applications for free school meals cannot be backdated.Contact 020 8583 2780 for an application form

School Uniform grants

Any child who is at secondary school living with a parent/carer who is a resident in theborough and who is in receipt of either Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance (incomebased), Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit (with an annual income of less than £13,495)or on a low income may be untitled to a uniform grant.To apply you will need to complete a uniform grant application form available from: CivicCentre, Lampton Road, Hounslow TW3 4DN or tel: 020 8583 2816 or 020 8583 2811.The following are accepted as proof of benefits and will be required when submitting yourapplication:

• Income Support• Copy of front cover and page of book that says “income support” or a copy of a

letter sent within the last 3 months from the DWP stating that you are receivingincome support.

• Jobseeker’s Allowance (income based)• Copy of a letter from the DWP sent within the last 3 months and MUST STATE

Jobseeker’s Allowance (income based) on any page of the letter. If it doesn’t statethis anywhere in the letter one can be obtained from the DWP office. An interviewcard is not acceptable as proof of Jobseeker’s Allowance.

• Working Tax Credit and/or Child Tax Credit• Copy of Tax Award Notice (TC602) confirming that your annual income is under

£14,200.


Healthy Start Scheme

You may be entitled to free milk, fresh fruit and vegetables, infant formula and vitamins underthe Healthy Start scheme.You may qualify if you’re pregnant and/or have at least one child under four years old andyour family gets any of the following:

• Income Support• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance• Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit unless your family is receiving Working

Tax credit run-on only) with an annual family income of £15,575 or less (for2008/2009)

• Or, if you are pregnant and under 18 years oldYou may be able to get vouchers worth £3.00 each that can be spent on milk, fresh fruit andvegetables or infant formula.Pregnant women and children over one and under four years old get one voucher a week.Children under one year old get two vouchers a week.You can also get free vitamin supplements. They’re usually available from NHS clinics andhealth centres but your midwife or health visitor will be able to advise on local arrangements.You’ll need to complete an application form and get your midwife, health visitor or registereddoctor or nurse to sign it.You can request a Healthy Start application form by calling 08701 555 455 and quotingreference HS01, or you can complete an application form or download a copy on the HealthyStart website: www.healthystart.nhs.uk

Working Tax Credit

The Working Tax Credit (WTC) provides a top-up to the wages of low-income workers whowork at least 16 hours per week, including those who are self-employed. The payment ismade up of different elements, and the categories of people the credit aims to help are:

• People responsible for a child• People with a disability which puts them at a disadvantage in getting a job• People over the age of 50 who are returning to work after a long period of

unemployment• People using registered childcare• For those without a disability and/or dependent children, those who are aged

over 25 years and working at least 30 hours per week.

Please note that being eligible to WTC is not that same as being entitled to it. The amountyou will receive is worked out by calculating your maximum award, based on yourcircumstances and the elements to which you are eligible. Your income is then calculated andcompared to the income thresholds for WTC. If you earnings are above the WTC threshold of£6,420 a year, then you would be deducted 39 pence of tax credits for every pound that youare over the threshold. For some people, their incomes would be too large for them to beentitled to any WTC, however, it is best to speak to a Tax Credits advisor or use the calculatorat the web address on the following page to establish for certain if you may be in line forsome credits.

Any WTC you are entitled to is paid to you through your wage packet (different arrangementsapply for the self-employed).

5. RETURNING TO WORK OR STARTING WORK

QUIDS FOR KIDS 12

To find out if you are eligible or to make a claim, call the Tax Credits Helpline on 0845 3003900 (open 8am-8pm) or visit www.hmrc.gov.uk/childcareYou can also use a tax credits calculator that will do a quick calculation to see how much youcould be in line to save at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/calcs/ccin.htm

Help from your Employer / Childcare Vouchers

Many employers, especially larger companies and increasingly smaller ones, may offer theiremployees help with the costs of childcare. This is often done with the use of childcarevouchers, which may be offered in addition to your salary, or as part of a salary sacrificeagreement. If offered in addition to your salary, this is always going to be financially beneficial.

More commonly, though, vouchers are offered as part of a salary sacrifice agreement. Thismeans that you can sacrifice part of your weekly salary in return for childcare vouchers of thesame value, which you would use to pay your childcare provider. The saving is made as thefirst £55 a week paid in vouchers is free from income tax and national insurancecontributions. This may not sound like a lot, but over a year a parent could save between£962 - £1,195, or double that if two parents use them. As your employer would not paynational insurance on the vouchers they provide you, they would also save a few hundredpounds per year.

Parents are free to choose their own childcare provider and vouchers are usually available inboth paper and electronic format. The majority of childcare providers are fully aware of thismethod of payment and are happy to accept them.

The use of childcare vouchers can have some implications on other benefits, and someparents can make greater savings by using Working Tax Credit instead, so for more detailedinformation please request a copy of our Childcare Vouchers Guide from the HounslowChildren’s Information Service on 020 8583 3470.

As a parent returning to or starting work you may also benefit from:• Housing / Council Tax Benefit.......................see page 9


Learner Support Fund

This fund provides financial help to students who are not eligible for Education MaintenanceAllownace and are finding it hard to complete their education. The local authority can pay upto a maximum amount of £300 per year per pupil. This award can pay towards books,equipment, examination fees, field trips and other costs to do with learning and living.

The main criteria you must meet to be eligible for this fund is: you must be between 16 – 19years of age, in full time non-advanced education and your family must be on a low income.Applications are available from your Local Authority - if you live in the London Borough ofHounslow please call Student Support 020 8583 2820.

Childcare Support Fund

Further education colleges and other education providers can offer free or subsidisedchildcare places at their own nurseries for lower income families. These nurseries oftenhave waiting lists so you need to check prior to enrolment if your child can access a place.Alternatively this fund may help pay for other forms of registered childcare. This fund ismeans tested and will depend on your personal circumstances.

Please contact your College for further information.

Childcare Grant

This grant is available for students who have dependent children and are on a low income.How much you get will depend on your income and that of your dependents (including yourpartner). If your children are under 15 the grant will pay 85% of your actual childcare coststhroughout the whole year. This works out to be for 1 child up to £148.75 a week and for twoor more children up to £255 a week. To receive the Childcare Grant you use must beregistered or approved with Ofsted. You cannot get this grant if you or your partnerreceives the Childcare Element of Working Tax Credit.

Parent’s Learning Allowance

This allowance is available for course-related costs such as books, equipment and travel forstudents with dependent children. How much you get depends on your income and that ofyour dependants (including your partner). You may be able to receive up to £1470 per yearfor 2008/09.

For further information and advice on undergraduate financial support contact ‘StudentFinance Direct’ on 08456 077 577 or visit www.dfes.gov.uk/studentsupport

Access to Learning Fund

This fund is available through your university or college and may provide you with extrasupport if you are struggling to meet costs through the Childcare Grant or Parents LearningAllowance. How much you receive will depend on your individual circumstances.

For further advice and to apply contact your Students Services office at your Collegeor University.

6. STUDENT

QUIDS FOR KIDS 14

Career Development Loan (CDL)

The is a deferred repayment bank loan for students aged over 18 years that are in vocationallearning or education. A CDL is available through an arrangement between the Learning SkillsCouncil (LSC) and three High Street Banks. The CDL can cover course fees, books, equip-ment, childcare, travel and living expenses. Loans are available from anything between £300and £8,000 and can help fund up to two years of learning (or up to three years if the courseincludes one year of relevant work experience)

The LSC pays the interest on your loan while you’re learning and for one month afterwards.You then repay the loan to the bank over an agreed period of time at a fixed rate of interest.Receiving a loan could affect a student’s benefit entitlement and this should be discussedbefore taking out a careers development loan.

For more information contact the CDL information line on 0800 585 505 or visitwww.direct.gov.uk/cdl

Sixth Form or College travel grants

Assistance is available for travel expenses if the maintained institution attended is more than3 miles from your home. The Local Authority can provide to eligible students reimbursementcosts not in excess of one zone bus pass. Students will need to apply to their College forassistance for this fund. The Local Authority will consider applications from students that havebeen unsuccessful in accessing funding through the college’s welfare fund.

Further information is available from your Local Authority, if you live in the London Borough ofHounslow please call Student Support on 020 8538 2820

NHS Childcare Allowance

The NHS Bursary scheme can offer financial support for students studying health. Thisallowance can help towards living costs and dependants. If you receive a NHS Bursary youwill not have to contribute towards tuition fees.

There are two types, means tested and non-means tested bursaries. The non-means testedbursary is for those studying to become a Midwife or a Nurse through a recognised diploma.Lone parents can receive an extra amount per year. Means-tested bursaries are availableto students on Allied Health Professional, Dental Auxiliary, Nursing and Midwifery degreecourses.If you have a dependant child age 15 or under (17 or under for children with disabilities) youmay be entitled to up to 85% of childcare costs. The maximum allowance available is £123.25per week for 1 child, and £182.75 per week for 2 or more children.

For further information contact NHS Student Grants Unit on 01253 655 655 or visitwww.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk


Student Support & Education Benefits

Funding available for students at higher education is also known as Student Support. This canassist with tuition fees, living expenses and childcare costs. The financial help that you can re-ceive will depend on your individual circumstances.

The different types of support available are:• Student Loan• Maintenance Grant• Special Support Grant• Bursaries• Childcare Grant (see page 15)• Parents’ Learning Allowance (see page 15)• Adult Dependants’ Grant• Disabled Students’ Allowance

The two main aspects of student support that relates to children are the Childcare Grant andParents Learning Allowance

Grants and Bursaries

Financial assistance can also be accessed through charitable organisations. The EducationalGrants Advisory Service can provide information and advice on loans, grants, benefits,access funds, hardship funds, bursaries, charities and trust funds that you can apply forassistance with course fees, equipment or living costs.

For further information please contact Educational Grants Advisory Service on020 7254 6251 or visit www.egas-online.org.uk for more information.

The Elizabeth Nuffield Education Fund provides grants to women studying to improve theiremployment prospects. Grants are available to women in higher education and may be usedto pay for childcare.

For further information please call 020 7631 0566 or visit www.nuffieldfoundation.org

Care to Learn

The Care to Learn scheme allows parents under the age of 20 years old to continue theireducation or training, including students continuing with compulsory education. It is able topay for 100% of childcare costs while you learn (up to £175 per week), as well as additionalchildcare for extra home/private study time, childcare deposits of up to £250 and registrationfees of up to £80, if one is charged, and any necessary travel costs to and from yourchildcare provider.

Fathers are able to claim Care to Learn, if they are the main carer.The payment for childcare would be paid directly to the provider. Care to Learn does not af-fect any of your own or any of your family’s benefits or allowances, and you do not have to beon benefits in order to claim. For more information on the scheme, and for an applicationform, call the Helpline on 0845 600 2809 or visit www.direct.gov.uk/caretolearn

7. TEENAGE PARENT

QUIDS FOR KIDS 16

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

The EMA can help with expenses related to travel, books and equipment when you stay on atcollege, school or training provider. EMA pays up to £30 a week directly into a young per-son’s bank account if they stay on in education at school or college after GCSEs. There arealso cash bonuses available if you stay at college and do well.

To qualify for EMA you must be 16 – 18 and have left or will be leaving compulsory education,be enrolled on a full time further education course at school or college, or Learning SkillsCouncil funded course (LSC) or an LSC-funded Entry to Employment course. Your familiesannual income must be below £30,810 for you to qualify.

For more information call 0800 121 8989 or log on to www.ema.direct.gov.uk

Connexions

Connexions provides information, advice and guidance to all young people aged 11-19 inHounslow and aged up to 24 with a learning difficulty or disability. A connexions personaladvisor is able to give you free, confidential and impartial advice on a wide range ofissues including housing, health, relationships, your rights, money, learning and furthereducation at college or university, careers advice, and information on things to do in yourfree time and during the holidays.

For more information you can visit Connexions at The Attic in Hounslow Library (in the TreatyCentre off Hounslow High Street). You can also call them on 020 8577 5478 or visit theirwebsite: www.hounslowattic.org.uk

New Deal for Lone Parents

If you are a lone parent working less than 16 hours per week or not at all, and your youngestchild is aged less than 12 years old, the New Deal for Lone Parents programme couldhelp you.

Some New Deal schemes can support you financially during your training or education coursewhilst remaining on benefits. You can apply for assistance to complete an approved voca-tional training course to help you move into work. This scheme can cover the cost of yourcourse and can also pay for registered childcare.

If you are looking to return to work the new deal programme can assist you with costs relatedto job interviews, finding work and paying for childcare deposits and registration fees.A trained advisor will assist and support you throughout the programme. They will discusswith you what jobs or courses interest you and calculate how much better off you could bein work.

Contact your local Jobcentre Plus (see page 20) and arrange to speak to a Personal Advisoror visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

8. LONE PARENT


Disability Living Allowance (DLA)

You could receive help through this benefit if you or your child has mobility and/or care needs.DLA is paid to children and adults who are under 65 years of age when making their firstclaim (for someone aged 65+, the appropriate benefit is Attendance Allowance (AA) whichassesses someone’s care needs only). DLA and AA are not means tested or taxable, andare paid in addition to most other benefits.

DLA is split into 2 main components, care and mobility. The care component is paid for thosewho need help in looking after themselves, and is split into 3 levels, higher, middle and lower.The mobility component is paid to people who have difficulty walking and is paid at two levels,higher and lower. In the case of both components, an assessment using a set criteria is usedto establish which level the claimant is at. The amount of benefit paid will depend on whichlevel of each component fits the best. In the case of claiming for a child, there are extra teststhat must be met.

See below for the weekly rates paid for each component and level:

As the application forms for DLA and AA are quite complicated, it is recommended that you seekassistance when filling them in, for example from a benefits advisor at your local Citizens AdviceBureau (see page 20).

Claim forms can be obtained from the Benefit Enquiry Line 0800 882 200 or by visiting yourlocal Job Centre Plus (see page 20).

9. CARING FOR A SICK OR DISABLED CHILD

Attendance Higher Rate £67

Allowance Lower Rate £44.85

Disability

Living

Allowance

Mobility

Component

Care

Component

Higher Rate £46.75

Lower Rate £17.75

Higher Rate £67

Medium Rate £44.85

Lower Rate £17.75

Rates Per Week

QUIDS FOR KIDS 18

Carer’s Allowance

If you are looking after a child for at least 35 hours per week who is receiving the middleor higher rate of the Disability Living Allowance then you may be able to claimCarer’s Allowance.

You cannot get Carer’s Allowance if you are in full-time education (i.e. studying more than 21hours per week) or if you are earning more than £95 per week in paid employment.

The allowance is worth £50.55 per week, and you may also be able to get an additional£30.20 for your husband, wife, civil partner or someone else living with you who helps to lookafter your dependent children.

Carer’s Allowance can have an impact on other benefits, so for more detailed information,call the Carer’s Allowance Unit on 01253 856 123. Claim forms can also be obtained from theabove number, as well as from your local Job Centre Plus (see page 20). You can also nowapply online using this web address: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/carersallowance/

Direct Payments

Direct Payments are available to individuals who have been assessed as qualifying for helpfrom social services. They give the opportunity to purchase services such as personal careindividually rather than having them provided by social services.

Those eligible for this option would include people with a long-term illness or mental healthneeds, older people and adults with a parental responsibility for a child with a disability. DirectPayments aim to give people greater choice and flexibility over the care that is provided.For more information, please contact the Hounslow Children’s Social Care Services on 0208583 3200. The Department of Health have also produced a very detailed booklet called “AGuide to receiving Direct Payments from your Local Council” which you can request by calling08701 555 455 or which you can download from the Department of Health website:www.dh.gov.uk

Covering the day to day costs

You can contact the Benefit Enquiry Line (BEL) on 0800 88 22 00 which is a benefits helpline for people with disabilities, carers and representatives. BEL is part of the Department forWork and Pensions and can offer confidential advice and information on all benefits whichcan help with the cost of everyday living. They are also able to send out an extensive rangeof leaflets and claim packs to customers.


Child Tax Credit (disabled element)

The disabled element of Child Tax Credit (CTC) is split into two sections, a disabled childelement and a severely disabled child element. A child or young person is eligible if theymeet the criteria below:

• Disabled Child Element – In receipt of either element of Disability Living Allowance(DLA) at any rate, or if registered as blind.

• Severely Disabled Child Element – In receipt of the highest rate care componentof DLA.

The amounts of each of the above elements, and details of how to claim them, are detailed inthe Child Tax Credit section starting on page 3. For more details about Disability LivingAllowance and the criteria required for each element, please see page 18.

Job Centre Plus

Your local Job Centre Plus can help you in a number of ways. Their main aims are to:

• help more people into paid work• help employers fill their vacancies• give people of working age the help and support they are entitled to if they

cannot work.You can go and visit any of the 3 job centres that cater for London Borough of Hounslowresidents; the details of these are on the following page. You can also get lots ofrelevant information using their website: www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Local Job Centre Plus

Hounslow Job Centre PlusAddress: 10 Montague Rd, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW3 1LETelephone: 020 8607 1600

Feltham Jobcentre PlusAddress: Bridge House, 10 Hanworth Rd, Feltham, Middlesex, TW13 5DDTelephone: 020 8250 4300

Acton Jobcentre Plus (for Chiswick residents)Address: Armstrong Rd, Acton, London, W3 7JLTelephone: 020 8811 8200

All Job Centre Plus offices are open from 9am-5pm Monday – Friday, with the exception ofWednesdays when they open 1 hour later at 10am.

10. LIST OF USEFUL CONTACTS

As someone caring for a sick or disabled child you may also benefit from:• Income support .................................................see page 9• Housing/Council Tax Benefit...............................see page 9

QUIDS FOR KIDS 20

Citizens Advice Bureau

Citizens Advice Bureaux provide free, confidential and independent advice from variouslocations including in bureaux, GP surgeries, hospitals, colleges, prisons and courts.Advice is available on a wide range of issues including: debt, benefits, housing, legal,discrimination, employment, immigration, consumer and other problems and is available toeveryone.

Advice is available via telephone by calling 0870 126 9500. Face-to-face appointments canbe scheduled using the number above, or you can just drop-in at your local bureaux (listedbelow) at the times indicated. Most bureaux can also offer home visits and some also provideemail advice.

Local Bureaux

Brentford and Chiswick Citizens Advice BureauAddress: Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace, Chiswick, London, W4 4JNDrop-in times: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 12pm.

Monday evening from 6.30 to 7.30 pm

Feltham Citizens Advice BureauAddress: Peoples Centre, High Street, Feltham, Middlesex, TW13 4AHDrop-in times: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10am to 1pm.

Hounslow Citizens Advice BureauAddress: 45 Treaty Centre, High Street, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW3 1ESDrop-in times: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am to 1pm.

Hounslow Law Centre (an independent charitable centre operating very similar to a CitizensAdvice Bureau). Telephone: 020 8570 9505Address: 51 Lampton Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW3 1LYDrop-in times: Monday-Friday from 10am to 1pm

Contact a Family

A charity for families who have a disabled child. They are able to offer advice, informationand support on benefits and assistance available for families with a disabled child.

Freephone Helpline: 0808 808 3555 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm and Mon 5.30-7.30pmTextphone: 0808 808 3556Email: [email protected] Website: www.cafamily.org.uk

Family Fund

Provides grants to families with severely disabled or seriously ill children.Telephone: 0845 130 4542 or 01904 621115 Textphone: 01904 658085Email [email protected] Website: www.familyfund.org.uk


Daycare Trust

A registered charity that provides information to callers on a range of childcare issues and canhelp parents to find and pay for childcare. Their website provides plenty of downloadable in-formation and factsheets about childcare.

Telephone: 020 7840 3350 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 10am-5pmEmail: [email protected] Website: www.daycaretrust.org.uk

Voluntary Ofsted Childcare Register (VOCR)

The VOCR has been set up as a voluntary registration system for those working with childrenwho are not required by law to register with Ofsted. To get onto the register the childcareprovider must have met certain basic training requirements and must also have a CriminalRecord (CRB) check.

The major benefit of a childcare worker registering on the vOCR, aside from being able toshow they have met basic standards, is that through registration, parents whose children usethat provider are then eligible for savings through Working Tax Credits and ChildcareVouchers as discussed in this booklet.

This is especially relevant for nannies and au pairs, and also for other childcare which is notrequired to be registered, for example sports camps and private tutors, and can be a valuableway for parents to gain access to financial savings previously only available for more formaltypes of childcare such as nurseries, childminders and playgroups.

To apply, or for more information, contact Ofsted on 08456 40 40 40 or visitwww.ofsted.gov.uk

One Parent Families / Gingerbread

A charity that can provide independent, confidential and free information and advice forone-parent families.

Telephone: 0800 018 5026 Website: www.oneparentfamilies.org.uk

Working Families

A charity that aims to help working parents to achieve a good work-life balance. They are ableto offer practical advice and assistance on a wide range of issues including childcare options,employment rights (flexible working hours, paternity and maternity leave / pay), benefits, debtand more. They also publish a wide range of useful publications, most of which can bedownloaded for free on their website.

Telephone: 0800 013 0313 Website: www.workingfamilies.org.uk

QUIDS FOR KIDS 22

Direct.gov

This is a website maintained by central government with the idea that information on allaspects of life is contained here. The information on the website is regularly updated andeverything is explained in an easy manner with details of where to go for more information.

Specifically, the website has information relating to the comprehensive range of benefitsavailable and the criteria required for receiving them, childcare options and advice,information for students and those wishing to undertake training, employment issues,getting into work and employment law. There are also specific sections for parents,disabled people, carers and young people.

Please visit www.direct.gov.uk for information on all the above and more.

- Original Concept created by the Hammersmith and Fulham Children’s Information Service-

Hounslow Children’s Information ServiceEarly Childhood and Childcare ServicesSmallberry Green Primary SchoolTurnpike Way, Isleworth TW7 5BF

Tel: 0800 783 1696Email: [email protected]


QUIDS FOR KIDS MAKE SURE YOU’RE NOT MISSING OUT! NOTES

Children’s Information ServiceSmallberry Green Primary SchoolTurnpike WayIsleworthTW7 5BF

If you would like more copies of this guide, please call us on 0800 783 1696

Benefits for Kids

Documents

Transcript of Benefits for Kids