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Currently full until March 2023

Financial support


2 year funding

In order to apply, your family MUST be in receipt of one of the following benefits:

• Income Support

• Income Based Jobseekers Allowance

• An income-related employment and support allowance

• The Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit

• Child Tax Credit and/or Working Tax Credit, provided the annual gross income is no more than £ 16,190 as assessed by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

If you are in receipt of the following criteria below, please provide supporting evidence:

• Universal credit - with an annual net earnings threshold of £ 15,400 (based on calculating earnings on a monthly basis)

• If the child is looked after by the Local Authority

• If the child has a current statement of special educational needs (SEN) or an education, health and care plan

• If the child is in receipt of Disability Living Allowance

• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• If the child has left care through special guardianship or through an adoption or residence order

2 year funding

https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/childrensservices/childrenandfamilies/cfis/freechildcarefortwoyearolds.asp

3 year funding

Apply online for 30 hours free childcare.

https://www.gov.uk/apply-30-hours-free-childcare

You and your partner cannot both have accounts for the same child.

If you are applying for 30 hours and someone else already claims Tax-Free Childcare for that child, your application will be unsuccessful.

If you are separated

You and your ex-partner need to decide who should apply if you are jointly responsible for your child.

If you cannot decide, both of you must apply separately and HMRC will decide who gets a childcare account.


When to apply

You can apply from when your child is 2 years and 36 weeks old.

When your child turns 3

When they can get 30 hours from

born between                           eligible from

1 September to 31 December-     1 January

1 January to 31 March-                 1 April

1 April to 31 August-                     1 September


You must have a valid code by the end of the month before a new term starts.

You have to reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months. If you apply more than 3 months before the term starts, you’ll have to reconfirm your eligibility in your account in order to keep your code valid.




Tax free child care & voucher scheme

We accept most childcare vouchers from employers who offer this benefit to their eligible employees as an e-voucher. Vouchers are non-taxable and exempt from NI contributions for employees, whilst offering NI savings for employers. Both parents are eligible to claim as long as they are both in employment. Further information can be found at www.childcarevouchers.co.uk.

Tax credits

Tax credits are available from HM Revenue and Customs, based on household circumstances. You may be able to access help with the cost of ‘Ofsted approved’ childcare, if you are working for a minimum of 16 hours per week. Check on-line at https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/tax-credits for further information and eligibility. 

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