Homebuilders – Childcare costs assistance

Do you have childcare costs and find it a struggle to get by financially? You may be eligible for the Childcare subsidy. The Childcare subsidy is a weekly payment from Work and Income that people on low and moderate incomes can access to assist in paying their childcare costs. You do not have to be on a Work and Income benefit to access this payment.

The main criteria include that the person applying must be a NZ citizen or permanent resident, the families combined before tax income is below a set level, the child is (usually) younger than five years of age and is attending an approved early childhood programme or service.

The subsidy can be for anywhere between three and 50 hours per week for each child (depending on other criteria). The subsidy can make a big difference in a family’s take home income each week.

Generally, families with children aged three or four year olds will be better off taking up 20 hours free early childhood education, where their childcare provider offers it. However, a family can choose to take up either 20 hours early childhood education or, the Childcare subsidy, or a combination of the two.

If you would like to know more about the Childcare subsidy, you can call Work and Income on 0800 559 009, go to www.workandincome.govt.nz where you can apply online, or call us at Homebuilders Family Services 09 425 7048 for a chat.