Parents could get up to £2,000 a year childcare help including kids clubs over Easter holidays – how to get it
PARENTS can get up to £2,000 free childcare help including kids clubs over the Easter holidays.
Around 1.3million eligible households are missing out on the support with childcare costs.
But, with the Easter school holidays coming up, there's still time to apply for the extra cash.
Tax-free childcare gives families up to £500 per child every three months towards holiday clubs, before and after school clubs, childminders and nurseries.
You could get up to £1,000 if your child is disabled.
That amounts to £2,000 a year or £4,000 a year for each child.
For every £8 you put into a tax-free childcare online account, you will get an extra £2 top up provided by the government.
It's available for kids up to the age of 11, or 17 for disabled children.
You can then use this money to pay your childcare provider.
We explain who is eligible for the boost and how to apply.
Who is eligible for tax-free childcare?
There are a lot of rules governing who is eligible for tax-free childcare.
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It depends on if you're working, your household income, your child's age and your immigration status.
You can usually get tax-free childcare if you, and your partner if you have one, are:
- in work
- on sick leave or annual leave
- on shared parental, maternity, paternity or adoption leave
If you're not currently working but your partner is, you may still be eligible.
You will have to also be claiming one of the following benefits:
- Incapacity Benefit
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.
You can apply if you’re starting or re-starting work within the next 31 days.
Your income will also affect your eligibility and you’ll need to expect to earn a certain amount over the next three months.
This is at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week on average.
For example, at the moment you would need to earn at least £1,853.28 - the National Living Wage for people over 23.
If you have a partner, they’ll need to expect to earn at least this much too.
If you’re self-employed and do not expect to make enough profit in the next three months, you can use an average of how much you expect to make over the current tax year.
This earnings limit does not apply if you’re self-employed and started your business less than 12 months ago.
If you or your partner have an expected total income over £100,000 in the current tax year you will not be eligible, including any bonuses you expect to get.
Check the for more details on the eligibility criteria.
Is my child eligible?
Your child must be aged 11 or under and will usually need to live with you.
Each child stops being eligible on September 1 after their 11th birthday.
Adopted children are eligible, but foster children are not.
If your child is disabled you may get up to £4,000 a year until they’re 17.
To receive this, your child will need to:
- Get Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Be certified as blind or severely sight-impaired
How can I apply for tax-free childcare?
You can apply for tax-free chil on the government's website.
Before you apply, you should bear in mind that you can't get tax-free childcare at the same time as claiming working tax credit, child tax credit, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers.
If you already claim one of these benefits you should work out which scheme is best for you.
You can use the government's to work out which type of support will leave you better off.
However, you can get it at the same time as receiving 30 hours free childcare.
When you're ready to apply, you’ll need your details including your:
- National Insurance number
- Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), if you’re self-employed
It takes around 20 minutes to apply.
Once the money in your account is shown as "cleared funds" you can use it to pay your childcare provider.
As part of your application, you’ll also find out if you’re eligible for 30 hours free childcare within seven days.
We spoke to a childcare expert who shared the top tips for cutting costs over the Easter holidays.
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There are other government support schemes available, we've rounded up seven here.
It includes up to 30 hours of free childcare and free support if your child is under 2.
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