Help with paying for childcare and other family support

If starting or raising a family parents and carers can receive help with costs.

The table below shows what support all parents and carers are entitled to, if certain criteria is met.

Click on the last tab, 'Paying for childcare', to find out what help is specifically available for this.

Child Benefit

Payment to support all families with children up to the age of 19 if they are in full time education or approved training.
Paid for all children irrespective of whether parent(s) are earning or not.
Although Child Benefit isn't 'means tested' it can affect the amount of other benefits you may be getting that are means tested.

For new parents claim forms can be found in Bounty Packs obtained from hospitals
Claim online.

Payment to support families with children up to the age of 19 if they are in full time education or approved training.
If parent singularly (or jointly with a partner) is responsible for at least one child and earns less than £40k it is possible that they are entitled to this
HMRC calculator enables parents to check online whether they are entitled to tax credits.

If you are a working parent check out Working parents for other support through tax credits.

Available to all three and four year old children attending a childcare provision in Hampshire which is registered with Services for Young Children's 'Directory of Providers' and registered with the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).
Funding starts the term after the child's third birthday until they start school.
Parents may be charged for education sessions and other services that are additional to the 15 hours per week.

If a child is currently attending a childcare service, the parent needs to check eligibility with the provider
Contact the Childcare and Family Information Team on 0845 603 5620
Find out more about early years education online.

Hampshire County Council is also piloting a scheme to give free early years education to 2 year olds.