Help for lone parents The Government offers financial help with childcare to many lone parents who are looking for work or already working.

If you're already working

If you work 16 or more hours a week and use approved childcare (see below), you may be entitled to help with your childcare costs through the working tax credit.

How much you'll get depends on your childcare costs, how much you earn and how many children you have.

Visit Directgov for more information about working tax credit or contact the tax credit helpline on 0845 300 3900 (England, Wales, Scotland) or 0845 603 2000 (Northern Ireland).

See Help for working parents for more detail on how tax credits work.

If you're looking for work

The New Deal for Lone Parents is a Government service to help you find work or training if you're receiving Income Support and have a dependent child under 16.

If your child is school age, you'll be invited for an interview with a personal adviser who can help you with all aspects of finding a job or training, including childcare. If your child is not at school yet, you can still opt to join the programme.

If your personal adviser agrees training is the best option, you could get help with childcare costs while you're on an approved training course, attending job interviews or work trials.

The childcare subsidy can help you pay for childcare if you get a job as a result of the New Deal for Lone Parents, but are working fewer than 16 hours a week and still receiving Income Support.

For further information, visit your local Jobcentre Plus or benefits agency, call 0845 606 2626 or visit www.newdeal.gov.uk.

What sort of childcare is covered?

These benefits only apply if you use approved childcare, which means a childminder, nursery, playscheme, out-of-school scheme, preschool or playgroup registered with the local authority.

You cannot claim childcare costs if you're paying a relative, nanny or other person who's not registered.

If you're entitled to help with childcare costs through the working tax credit, the money will be paid directly to you alongside your child tax credit (see Help for working parents).

If you're entitled to help through the New Deal for Lone Parents, your childcare provider will be paid directly by the employment service.

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