To ask are you eligible for childcare hours for two year old/three year old

[Flarrot]

If you’re doing a full time one year postgraduate course (MSc). I am a lone parent and would not be able to work during that time. I currently get working tax credits, Child tax credit and childcare element of Child tax credits as I work part time at the moment but this would stop when I start studying. Thank you in advance

Please anyone?

Your child is eligible for the 2 year old funding as long as you are receiving your child tax credit / working tax credit. Once this stops you will no longer be eligible. There is however a grace period, usually to the end of the current term but you can check with your local authority family information service.
As a student you will be eligible for 15 hours funded childcare for your 3 - 4 year old.
To be eligible for an additional 15 hours of funded childcare your family income needs to be more than £120 per week.
The www.childcarechoices.gov.uk website is really useful for eligibility information.
Hope this helps

Moni thank you that is very helpful! I’ve been told that I will be receiving Child tax credit so in theory should be eligible but then I’ve found on some FAQ page that if you’re studying then you’re not eligible so I’m very confused! And it’s something I really need to be clear on before I leave my job, apply for the course and student loan etc

While you are studying you will still get CTC but not WTC unless you are working the required hours.

Unfortunately as the childcare element is part of WTC, you will no longer be eligible to receive it.

Could you speak to someone at your university and see if they have any bursaries or schemes to help students like you pay for their childcare??

I currently get working tax credits, Child tax credit and childcare element of Child tax credits
The childcare element is part of WTC not CTC.

Hi PersianCatLady, I know I won’t get the childcare element of tax credits but I will still get child tax credit without the childcare element, so have been told that this makes me eligible for the funded hours that parents of two year olds get. But then some website information contradicts this by saying that if you’re studying then that makes you ineligible for the funded hours. So the childcare element of tax credits is a separate thing to the funding for two year olds (and three year olds, that everyone gets 15 hours for and some people get 30 hours)

I am with you now.

As long as you receive CTC and your income is below £16,190 then your child will still get the 15 hours.

Here is a link -
www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds-benefits

Thank you! Much appreciated!

And no, there is no help whatsoever from the uni, which I was surprised about

I don't know if anything here would be useful to you -
www.findamasters.com/funding/guides/masters-funding-guide.aspx

Oh thanks! I will definitely have a look

I’ve had a chance to look at that link now and thank you, that’s really useful

I once you qualify for free for two funding your child will continue to get the funding even if circumstances change they will get the funding until they turn 3 then will qualify for 15hrs as they are 3 x

Oh that’s good! Because I believe I can apply in April 2018, at which time my circumstances will be the same as Now and I’ll definitely be eligible