Exactly how much childcare vouchers/benefits does the Gov pay you? Please!!

[dowthorpe]

Is anyone willing to publish exactly how much they receive in vouchers/benefits/whatever the format is, to pay for childcare costs for two children under 3, whilst they work full-time?

I'm desperate to work but need full-time and well paid (don't we all!) but whilst my kidsa re both not even in school lyet don't know if this is possible, as how much does childcare cost?

What sort of childcare option do you use for your children if you work full-time and arwe also a lone parent?

Can you contact your local council and ask for a list of childcare facilities available in your area. The costs vary from area to area. I got a list of childminders and nurseries from a department in my council.

Then google the child tax credits calculator and put in your hypothetical figures for when you will be working. Remember the figures it gives you will be from today until the 5th April, so you'll have to work out how much the figure will be for every 4 weeks.

There's a maximum weekly amount that they will pay. Anything over that you have to pay yourself.

Plus they only pay up to 80% of the costs.

www.hmrc.gov.uk/calcs/ccin.htm

Vouchers are up to a max of £243 a month.

This page may be better fo ryou actually
www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/TaxCreditsandChildBenefit/TaxCredits/Paymentsandentitlement /entitlement/DG_181270

To www.turn2us.entitledto.co.uk/entitlementcalculator.aspx is a good place to find out exactly what you might get under different scenarios.

If it's any help, here's my info:
I earn £21,000 before deductions. I work a 40-hour week though I only use 32 hours of childcare.

My two qualify for the free hours for 3-4 year old now, but before that I was being charged on average £65 per day for the two of them (slightly more at nursery, slightly less at the childminder). That worked out at about 260 per week, or £1040 per month. Tax credits pay 68% of my costs, so they paid about £700 of the £1040 per month, leaving me to find £340 per month myself. Now that they get some free hours, it is a lot easier.

Hope that helps.

Sorry, link went badly wrong there. TRy this:

www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx