Working parents urged to claim childcare cost help

Many working parents or carers in Swansea are not claiming money they are entitled to towards the cost of childcare the council have warned.

Swansea Council is now urging parents to check to see if they qualify as they could missing out on hundreds of pounds or more that they could use to help pay towards childcare including childminders, pre-schools, nurseries and nannies, playschemes, before and after school clubs and holiday clubs.

The UK Government’s Tax-Free Childcare supports working families, including the self-employed, with childcare costs.

If a working parent or carer is earning at least the National Minimum Wage for 16 hours a week on average and under £100,000 per annum, they may be eligible to get £500 every three months per child towards their childcare costs.

Council Cabinet Member for Community Support Hayley Gwilliam said: “Data shows that many working families in Swansea are either unaware or not making use of the support Tax-Free Childcare offers for children up to the age of eleven.

“I would urge them to check to see if they are eligible and if so to claim this support as it will help in the difficult months ahead.”