Child Benefit

What is it?

• Payment to support many families with children up to the age of 19 if they are in full time education or approved training.

• Paid for most children though dependent on whether the individual applying earns £50K or more.

• Parents earning over £50K might be affected by a tax charge in order to receive the benefit.

How much?

• £20.30 per week for the eldest child fixed until April 2014.

• £13.40 per week for each additional child fixed until April 2014.

How to apply

• Complete a Child Benefit claim form  

• Child Benefit further information

Child Tax Credit

What is it?

• 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.

How much?

• Dependant on family income.

• The maximum 'child element' is £2,555 for each child as at 2011/2012

• Extra help available for a child with a disability.

How to apply

• Call HM Revenue and Customs Helpline on 0345 300 3900.

• Visit HMRC Tax Credits  

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

From October 2013 Child (and Working) Tax Credits wil be replaced by Universal Credit.

Early Years Education

What is it?

• 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).

• Some two year old children are also able to have free entitlement subject to meeting specific criteria. Find out more and check your eligibility.

• Parents will be charged for hours and other services that are additional to the 'free entitlement'.

• Funding starts from the beginning of the next school term after the child's third birthday until they start school according to the dates set out below:

·Children born in the period 1 January to 31 March: funding starts 1 April following the child's second (if eligible) third and/or fourth birthday

·Children born in the period 1 April to 31 August: funding starts 1 September following the child's second (if eligible) third and/or fourth birthday.

·Children born in the period 1 September to 31 December: funding starts 1 January following the child's second (if eligible) third and/or fourth birthday

How much?

• 'Free entitlement' of up to 570 hours per year (maximum of 15 hours per week).

How to apply

• 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.

Family Support

• Low income / families accessing benefits

• Children with additional needs

Paying for childcare

• Working parents (including Tax Credits and Childcare Vouchers)

• One parent families

• Parents aged 16-19

• Parents who are students