Help with childcare costs
There is monetary help of £500 every quarter, up to £2,000 a year, for each of your children to help with the cost of childcare.
Improved changes to hours and costs are began in April 2024.
Parents can get Child Benefit, and also Universal Credit can contribute to childcare costs.
Free school meals are available for parents on some benefits. Some schools run breakfast clubs which can also help.
For women over 10 weeks pregnant and also for children under 4 years of age the Health Start vouchers will pay for milk and healthy food.
When first pregnant the Sure Start Maternity Grant of £500 will help with buying essentials for a new baby.
The Government Tax Free Childcare Scheme
The financial help goes up to a maximum of £2,000 for each child annually and £4,000 for disabled children.
There are some conditions related to benefits you may be getting.
You will not be able to claim in some circumstances
You cannot claim:
If you If you or your partner get a childcare bursary or grant or expect to do so within the next 3 months, you cannot get Tax-Free Childcare.
Find out the best childcare scheme for you
Before you apply
If someone else already gets free childcare for a child, their 15 or 30 hours payment will stop at the end of the next term, then you will be eligible for 15 or 30 hours free childcare instead.
If you have a partner, you cannot both have the accounts for the same child
If you are separated
Before you apply, if you are jointly responsible for your child, you and your ex-partner must decide between yourselves who should apply,
If you cannot decide who will claim
If you are unable to agree who will claim you will both have to apply separately and then leave it the the Tax department to make the decision on who will get a childcare account.
If you’re working
If you’re not currently working
What you must tell your employer
You have to tell your employer within 90 days of applying for Tax-Free Childcare.
What you MUST tell the Benefits office
Universal Credit
You have to let Universal Credit know once you get this help with childcare costs.