The Government's benefit web pages will offer you detailed information on all the benefits which you maybe eligible to apply for.
To find out what benefits you can get and how to claim, go to one of the following independent (free & anonymous) benefits calculators:
- entitledto - for information on income-related benefits, tax credits, contribution-based benefits, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance, Universal Credit and how your benefits will be affected if you start work
- Turn2us - for information on income-related benefits, Universal Credit and tax credits.
To find out about Government help with childcare costs please see their Childcare Choices website here.
Tax-Free Childcare
Tax-Free Childcare is a government initiative and has been set up to support working parents who pay for childcare.
How the scheme works
If you are eligible, it offers to cover 20% of childcare costs [limited to a maximum of £10,000 in childcare costs, per child, per year] for children under 12 (or under 17 if they have a registered disability). Parents open a new childcare account online and for every £8 you or someone else pays in, the government will top up an extra £2. Parents can only pay for childcare from their childcare account if the childcare provider is signed up for Tax-Free Childcare.
Who is eligible?
To qualify, parents must be working and each earning at least £120 per week and not more than £100,000 each per year.
Can I use Tax-Free Childcare and Childcare Vouchers or the Workplace Nurseries' Salary Exchange Scheme?
No, you cannot use Tax-Free Childcare if you are in the Childcare Vouchers or Workplace Nurseries' Salary Exchange scheme so you need to consider which scheme would bring you the greatest benefit. For further information, please call the government's Childcare Services Helpline on 0300 123 4097.
How to apply
You apply for Tax-Free Childcare online through the government website: https://www.gov.uk/get-tax-free-childcare
Government financial support for students with children
Childcare Grant
You may be eligible for help with your childcare costs if you
- are a full-time higher education student
- have children under 15, or under 17 if they have special educational needs.
The grant
- does not have to be paid back
- is paid on top of your Student Finance.
You must be eligible for Student Finance to apply for a Childcare Grant. For more information and to find out if you are eligible, please go to the website here.
Parents' Learning Allowance
If you are a student from England with dependent children, you may qualify if you're taking
- a full-time undergraduate course
- an Initial Teacher Training Course
For more information and to find out if you are eligible, please go to the website here.