Problem applying for 30 hours free childcare.

Although the deadline to apply for funding next term is approaching your provider should be able to claim at the start of next term which will be paid to them late....in my LA I can take payment from you and then refund you when I'm paid....call your LA and talk it through with them.

Has anyone got the contact number so I can chase my application up please

Hello. I got the message to reconfirm my son's eligibility. Tonight I did so and I got the message That I am not eligible because my son's "details were on the application submission more than once". What s that suppose to mean? We thick all the eligibility criteria. All I dis was to reconfirm. What s going on? Has anyone revived the same message?

The service is digital by default but they have to provide a method for people without computers to do it, thus why insisting they do it manually does eventually work.

GovGateway is a pain, I have two different logins... one for tax and one for childcare regulation (I'm a provider, not a parent). They are beginning to change over to GovVerify but I expect that will take some time for all government services to use and I expect it will still have issues!
Good luck with getting a 30-hour code.

I've rang that number 25 times in the last 2 week's they said they can't help me I have to contact gateway via email.. however I've just rang them and demanded they do something and they did a manual application. so I have to wait now for my code but I do not have access to my gateway still. can't believe they could do a manual application and I've been ringing all these times. but hey ho let's hope I get my code and all is sorted lol. thanks a lot

Try signing in to account: www.gov.uk/sign-in-childcare-account
Maybe it has created an account given that you have tried a few times.

Try calling the helpline and telling them that you are unable to create an online account, due to a GovGateway problem, can they set you up manually? 0300 123 4097

thank you for your reply. I've used this link and it takes me to the apply page which I have done .. I've made the gateway account... majority of times it says can't confirm my identity come back in 15 mins... sometimes it let's me in but into my personal tax account. ripping my hair out trying to sort this everyday

www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-2-to-4-year-olds

Hi
could anyone help me find the actual page to apply for the funding. I've spent 2 weeks trying to get into my account with no help from HMRC. I'm now able to see my personal tax account but I can't see a link to apply for funding anywhere 😩 stressing me out. any help would be appreciated greatly

I know this is a zombie thread but would like to add that this problem is STILL ongoing.
8 weeks down the line, 3 phone calls of an hour in length each, excuses ranging from my DD doesn’t exist to technical problem (several times over) to phone us back in a week (did every time but still no further forward) and have now been issued a ‘temporary’ code whilst they try a manual ‘over-ride’.

My MP is useless (let’s put it this way, he is more concerned with his job of dealing with brexit) and I have no idea who to turn to. My childminder factored in the 30 hours when we were billed for the year (pro-rata type payments) so if this isn’t sorted, we will be £70 a week down!

Who else can I turn to?

I've just phoned them as I haven't heard anything and it's been 15 consecutive days. They told me I have to now wait 15 working days and then they can give me a code over the phone ( unless I hear before then).

Hi, I applied on internet and once I had filled in all details got the code sent straight away. Not good you're having problems. I'd phone HMRC. Hope you get sorted.

How long have people had to wait for their code? Everyone I know got theirs straight away but I got a message saying they will message me.

Thanks Voodoo - that's reassuring! Was it straightforward to renew?

Your code doesn't change when you reconfirm your eligibility. At least mine hasn't (I applied early and just reconfirmed today).

The codes last 3 months. You will have a valid from and to date and you are supposed to get a reminder to renew it (but we have yet to see if that system works). There is a rush on, because term time only settings have to validate the codes before the end of term. Settings that are open all year can do them in August.

Thank you.

If we've learned anything about the 30h provision it's that nothing about it is simple

Fingers crossed. Keep us posted how you get on.

I'm sure I read you just tick a box if nothing has changed. Let's hope in reality it is that simple.

I really hope so. But yes my update date is 9 August

I'm hoping I'll just have to make a declaration that nothing has changed. Which it won't have (touch wood).

I thought the code was valid from 1 Sept to 31 December and you had to renew it before the end of that term for the the start of January's term. How can they expect you to renew it already when you haven't even used it yet.

All my paperwork was in, just the code was missing off the form so just emailed the provider the code. I can relax now. Let's hope it's straight forward when we have renew every 3 months!

Hurrah! Now get your paperwork in!

Fwiw I FINALLY managed to log in online and it informed me I'd have to update my information every three months. Since I applied in May (for September) that means I'll have to update in August and who knows if the code will then be different. Will preschool need the new code for September if it changes? They'll already have submitted their paperwork by then

This is a mess.

Good morning,

So I called the helpline for the third time today. Was put on hold several times transferred to different departments as I asked them to check the status as it had been 10 days. The person checked and said I was eligible and here's my code!!!! So I asked when was it issued and was told 10 days ago, so pretty much immediately. I then told them how I called up twice and no one would check as 10 days had not passed. I also said that I had checked online and it's still showing as "being considered" I was told that they are experiencing difficulties and they apologised.

I would stress to anyone that is still waiting to call up and insist on them checking. Maybe call at the weekend as the week day staff for me (well the 2 guys I spoke to) were not willing to check.

Good luck all! Xxx

Fitz- presuming your DS is still four then he could be eligible if you were to delay his school start for any reason.

Yes any changes from 1/9 onwards will mean you are eligible from January.