How Does My Housing Benefit Get Affected By Daycare Costs?

When your child turns 16 or 17, their Housing Benefit amount remains unchanged, even if they leave school or are working. If they are 18 or 19, their Housing Benefit will not change if you are still receiving Child Benefit for them. If you qualify for the “severe disability premium” part of Housing Benefit, your Housing Benefit will change if someone starts getting Carer’s Allowance, Carer Support Payment, or the carer element for looking after you.

Your living expenses do not affect the amount of Social Security Insurance (SSI) benefit, which is based on your income. However, money for food or other essential expenses may be available. To check if your benefits will be affected, check your circumstances and ensure that you have reached State Pension age before 15 May 2019.

Children’s allowances do not affect Housing Benefit payments, but other benefits like Housing Benefit are. If you receive tax credits, you may get less Housing Benefit, which can reduce your Housing Benefit. Child Benefit payments are not affected by any tax credits you get, but other benefits like Housing Benefit are.

A maximum of £300.00 per week can be disregarded from your income for Housing Benefit/Council Tax Support purposes and will not affect any housing benefit or tax credits awards you receive. This applies to all kinds of child maintenance payments, including family-based benefits. Some benefits have an element that allows for childcare costs that you may be entitled to.

If you pay childcare costs for one child, you can ignore up to the first £175 of your earnings when applying for Housing Benefit.