THOUSANDS more parents will be able to access free childcare from September when the benefit is extended to nine-month-olds for the first time.
Working parents of children aged between nine- and 23-months will be able to access 15-hours of funded childcare a week for the first time from September 1.
Parents can apply now to receive the code needed to cash in their free hours and cut childcare costs dramatically.
Submitting your application is simple and the code you need to give your childcare provider or providers should arrive via email or post within two weeks.
Who can receive free childcare?
To be eligible to receive 15-hours of childcare your youngster must turn nine-months-old before August 31 2024.
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If they turn nine months after this date they will be eligible for free childcare hours from the beginning of the school term that follows, up until they begin school.
To qualify you and your partner, if you have one, must each expect to earn at least £2,380 in the next three months (reduced to £1,788 for those aged between 18 and 20, or £1,331 if you’re under 18 or an apprentice).
If you’re self employed or do not get paid regularly you can use an average of your annual income to calculate this.
How can I apply?
You can apply to receive your funded hours online here.
To complete your application you will need your National Insurance number, the date you started or are due to start work, details of any benefits or government support you receive and your child’s birth certificate.
Once your application is approved you’ll receive a code to pass on to your childcare provider.
For the vast majority of parents this code will be sent within seven days to the inbox of your childcare account, which you’ll have set up as part of the application process.
However, those applying while on parental leave will receive their code via a letter, which should arrive within two weeks.
If you're on parental leave and returning to former employment you can apply online, but if you are beginning a new job following parental leave you should call HMRC on 0300 123 4097 to receive a code.
If you’re returning to work from parental leave you can apply for a code to claim your funded childcare hours from September 1 now, as long as you plan to return to work or start a new job by the end of September 2024.
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Whatever your circumstances you need to remember that codes are only valid for three months, so parents who apply before June 1 will need to make sure they renew their code before September.
How long do I have to apply?
You can apply for a code for the autumn term (1 September - 31 December) up until 31 August, however your childcare provider may prefer to receive codes earlier to begin processing them, so make sure you check with them.
Parents who plan to start or return to work between October 1 2024 and January 31 2025, or whose children will turn nine months between 1 September 2024 and 31 December 2024, will be able to apply for a code from 1 September 2024, to use from 1 January 2025.
If you're concerned that you haven’t received a code then call HMRC on 0300 123 4097.
What do I do once I've received my code?
Once you’ve received your code, you’ll need to give that and your National Insurance number to your childcare provider.
Your childcare provider will then deduct the government funding from your childcare fees.
It’s important not to wait until you receive a code to secure your nursery place.
Many providers have long waiting lists, so it’s a good idea to enquire early if there’s a nursery or other childcare setting you’d particularly like your little one to attend.
If you are struggling to find a place for your child your local authority should be able to advise on availability.
Once you’re set up to receive funded hours you will need to
reconfirm your eligibility every three months through your childcare account.
You’ll receive notifications to do this via your personal email and childcare account inbox and it only takes a couple of minutes.
Where can I use my government-funded hours?
Government-funded childcare hours can be used to reduce your costs with any approved provider, including nurseries, childminders, nannies, after school clubs and play schemes.
You just need to check that your provider is signed up to the scheme.
When calculating your childcare costs, it’s important to bear in mind that hours are only funded during term-time, although most providers will allow you to spread your hours across the year so you pay the same amount each month.
You can claim a maximum of 10 hours a day, and a minimum of three hours.
How to claim tax-free childcare?
To apply for your code to access government funded hours you will need to set up a childcare account.
You can use this account to pay your remaining fees and receive further financial support.
For every £8 you pay into the account, the government will pay in £2, up to a limit of £500 every three months.
You can access tax-free childcare at the same time as your government-funded hours and together the two forms of support can drastically reduce your childcare costs.
You must reconfirm your details through your childcare account every three months to continue receiving support.
You’ll receive notifications via your personal email and childcare inbox reminding you to do this and it only takes a couple of minutes.
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