Are you eligible for a Child Care Benefit lump sum?

 Thousands of families who paid child care fees in full in the 2000-01 financial year should not miss out on claiming their share of Child Care Benefit the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Larry Anthony said today.

“This Child Care Benefit could add up to a lot of money for some families but they only have until June 28 to make the claim. The average lump sum paid so far has been $482.

“Families who used approved care between 1 July 2000 and 30 June 2001 and paid all of their child care fees in full are eligible to claim for Child Care Benefit as a lump sum.

“All they need to do is go to their local Family Assistance Office and fill out a claim form. The money will be paid directly into the nominated bank account.

“Child Care Benefit has made child care more affordable for the many Australian families who are trying to balance work and family commitments.

“It is also a flexible system offering families the opportunity to pay in full and claim the benefit later or pay only a portion of their child care fees.

“Over the last four years we have spent $4.7 billion on child care – a 36 per cent increase on Labor’s child care spending in their last 4 years – and we’ll spend a further $6.7 billion over the four years to 2004-05.

“The Coalition is doing much more than just providing unprecedented funding. Parents now have more high quality and child care options than ever before.

“It is this flexibility and quality that has resulted in families using child care in record numbers,” Mr Anthony said.

To get further information on claiming Child Care Benefit as a lump sum, families should call the Family Assistance Office on 13 6150.