There is a variety of financial support schemes available ease the cost of childcare, for working parents/carers and those studying or in training.
Tax-free childcare
Tax-free childcare is a new government scheme to help working families with their childcare costs.
Parents can open an online childcare account to pay their registered childcare providers directly. For every £8 parents pay into these accounts, the government will add £2, and the total amount in the account can only be spent on childcare. Parents can receive up to £2000 of government support per child, per year, or £4000 for disabled children.
For further details see Get tax free childcare: Step by step
Universal Credit
Universal Credit is a payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you’re on a low income or out of work. Universal Credit is being introduced in stages across the UK. For further details see universal credit
Working Tax Credit
If you claim Working Tax Credit (WTC), you may be able to get help with childcare costs while you work. To get this help, the childcare must be with an Ofsted registered child care provider. Working Tax Credit has been replaced by Universal Credit for most people. For further information please visit Gov.UK's Working For Tax Credit web page
New Working Tax Credit claims
Working Tax Credit has been replaced by Universal Credit for most people. You can only make a new claim for Working Tax Credit if you get the severe disability premium or got it in the past month and are still eligible for it.
If you cannot make a new claim for Working Tax Credit, you may be able to apply for:
- Universal Credit - if you’re of working age
- Pension Credit - if you’re of Pension Credit qualifying age