15 free hours from April 2024

[Windflower92]

I'm hoping this is the right topic to post in! I've got a 2 year old who goes to nursery. We've been emailed about applying for the 15 free hours, saying the deadline to give our codes in is the end of Feb. I've followed the link to apply, but it just takes me to my tax-free childcare account and says I have no codes. I go on the gov website and it says 'coming soon', and to apply from 15th Jan-Mar. How can I apply for this code? She turns 3 in May so we'll get the 30 free hours from September, so I'm hoping to get the 15 hours before then! Thanks anyone who can help!

Do you work and if you have a partner do they work? From what understand you can only apply if both or single parent is working. If you claim UC you cannot claim the 15 free hours as well.

That's from speaking with other mums going through the same. I don't currently work but I am looking for work and trying to sort childcare so I can claim for my daughter but until I'm working I can't apply.

The applications are open but the codes are taking a bit of time to come through from what other mum friends of mine have said.

We both work and are eligible for the 30 hours for my eldest, so I assume I'm eligible for this! @abbs1 have they applied or do the codes get sent to them via tax-free childcare account?

You'll get the code when you next reconfirm your eligibility for tax free childcare.

You'll get the code when you next reconfirm your eligibility for tax free childcare.

@KateyCuckoo is that definite? As that's 2 days before the deadline so I don't want to leave it to chance!

Yes it is

Yes! I did mine yesterday and it automatically popped up the moment I reconfirmed.

Yes you claim the 15 hours and UC.

I got a code when I reconfirmed my details last week.

But our nursery still hasn't decided if they will participate.

Has anyone got a code and confirmation from their nursery of reducing fees?

Oh really? 2 of my friends on UC who already claim the 80% tax free childcare were told they cannot claim the 15 hours as well.

From what I understand it gets sent to them on their accounts. Sorry I've not done it and my older child currently only gets 15 hours so I've not had to apply. Only going on what I've been told by all my mum friends who I've been asking all the questions to.