Other government support with childcare costs

Tax-free childcare

Tax-Free Childcare is a savings account scheme that offers working families government support towards qualifying (approved) childcare costs.

Parents can get up to £500 every 3 months (up to £2,000 a year) for each child to help with the costs of childcare. This goes up to £1,000 every 3 months if a child is disabled (up to £4,000 a year).

The money can be used to pay for approved childcare, for example:

• childminders, nurseries and nannies
• after school clubs and play schemes

Eligibility and application

Tax-Free Childcare (gov.uk)

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. Whether you can claim Universal Credit depends on where you live and your circumstances. You can get help with your childcare costs for two children.

Universal Credit will replace the following benefits:

• Child Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Working Tax Credit

If you currently receive any of these benefits, you can’t claim Universal Credit at the same time.

Eligibility and application

Eligibility for Universal Credit (gov.uk)

Universal Credit is being introduced in stages across the UK. You don’t need to do anything until you hear from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about moving to Universal Credit, unless you have a change in circumstances.

Child Benefit

You can receive Child Benefit if you’re responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training).

Eligibility and application

Eligibility and application for Child Benefit (gov.uk)

Child Benefit for 16 to 19 year olds (gov.uk)

Child Tax Credit (moving to Universal Credit)

You could get Child Tax Credit for each child you’re responsible for if they are:

• under 16
• under 20 and in eligible education or training

You don’t need to be working to claim Child Tax Credit.

The amount you will receive will depend on your circumstances. Child Tax Credit will not affect your Child Benefit.

Eligibility and application

Eligibility and application for Child Tax Credit (gov.uk)

Working Tax Credit (moving to Universal Credit)

Working Tax Credit supports working households on low incomes by topping up earnings.

It is made up of a number of elements depending on your circumstances. For example, extra amounts are available to those who work at least 30 hours a week and to those who are working and have a disability. It also includes an element to help with the costs of Ofsted registered or approved childcare, known as the childcare element.

Eligibility and application

Eligibility and application for Working Tax Credit (gov.uk)

National Insurance credits for adults who care for a child under 12

National Insurance credits may help to fill in any gaps in your National Insurance record. This can mean that you will still get the full State Pension and other benefits.

Eligibility and application

National Insurance credits (gov.uk)