March 26, 2024
Online test for ECE funding rebate
Whānau with tamariki in early childhood education will get up 25 percent of the fees refunded, up to $75 a week.
In a pre-budget announcement yesterday, Finance Minister Nicola Willis said at least 140,000 children would qualify for the Family Boost credit.
Parents will need to apply online to the Inland Revenue Department for the credit, which will be paid out every three months.
Ms WIllis says she wans every eligible family to get it.
“So I’ve said to the IRD my expectation is that everyone who has a child in a licensed early childhood service knows their entitlement and gets it so we’ve asked them to think about a really robust communications plan to make sure thjere is more communicaiton at the time that the refunds are due and that we get ECE centres on board the mission of making sure everyone who can benefit from this policy is aware of it and benefits from it,” she says.
All families earning up to $180,000 with childcare costs are eligible. However, to ensure support goes to families who need it most, the maximum repayment will gradually reduce for families earning more than $140,000.