Childcare Support Information
Tax-Free Childcare is a government scheme that helps working families with the cost of childcare. If you're eligible, for every £8 you pay into your childcare account, the government adds £2—up to £2,000 per year per child, or £4,000 if your child is disabled.
Who’s Eligible?
To qualify, you (and your partner, if you have one) must:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Live in the UK (or be treated as living in the UK)
- Be responsible for the child you’re applying for
- Be in paid work, including; Self-Employment, Parental/Maternity/Paternity or adoption leave.
- Sick or annual leave
- Expect to earn at least the equivalent of 16 hours/week at minimum wage over the next 3 months
- Earn less than £100,000 per year (adjusted net income)
- Not be receiving Universal Credit or Childcare Vouchers
You may still be eligible if your partner is working and you receive:
- Incapacity Benefit
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance (or Carer Support Payment in Scotland)
- Contribution-based ESA
- National Insurance credits for incapacity or limited capability for work
You can also apply if you're starting or returning to work within the next 31 days.
Check your eligibility on GOV.UK
How Does It Work?
- Set up an online childcare account on GOV.UK.
- Add your childcare provider (they must be registered for Tax-Free Childcare).
- Deposit funds into your account. For every £8 you add, the government adds £2.
- Use the funds to pay your provider directly through the account.
- Reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months (you’ll get a reminder).
For Children with Disabilities:
You can receive up to £4,000 per year to help with:
- Extra childcare hours
- Specialist equipment (e.g. mobility aids)
Speak with your provider about what support they can offer.
What You’ll Need to Apply:
- Your National Insurance number
- Your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) if self-employed
- Your child’s birth certificate reference number (if available)
- Your start date for work (approximate if over 3 months ago)
If you're a director or not paid regularly, you may need to provide:
- Payslips or bank statements
- Invoices or a letter from your accountant
Ready to Apply?
Set up your account and apply here:
Apply for Tax-Free Childcare
You can also check if you’re eligible for 15 or 30 hours of free childcare as part of your application.
Step-by-Step: How to Claim Universal Credit
1. Apply Online
- Go to the official site: Apply for Universal Credit
- Create an online account.
- You must complete your claim within 28 days of creating your account, or you’ll need to start over.
- Your claim starts from the date you submit it.
2. If You Have a Partner
- Both of you must create accounts and link them together during the application.
- You cannot apply alone if you live with your partner.
3. If You Can’t Apply Online
You can apply by phone via the Universal Credit helpline:
- Telephone: 0800 328 5644 (free)
- Welsh language: 0800 328 1744
- Textphone: 0800 328 1344
What You’ll Need:
To complete your claim, you’ll need:
- A bank account
- An email address
- Access to a phone
- Proof of identity (e.g. passport, driving licence, payslip)
You’ll also need to provide:
- Your National Insurance number
- Details about your housing (e.g. rent)
- Your income and savings
- Any benefits you currently receive
- nformation about childcare costs (if applicable)
- Any health conditions affecting your ability to work
After You Apply
- You may need an appointment (online or at a jobcentre) to verify your identity or provide more information.
- You’ll also need to agree to a Claimant Commitment—a plan outlining what you’ll do to receive payments.
Need Help?
You can get free support from:
- Citizens Advice – Help to Claim service
- The Universal Credit helpline
Would you like help checking your eligibility or preparing the documents you’ll need?