Does anyone receive 2 year old funding? how long is the application process?

[robbedindaylight]

Partner has become redundant and next month our income will have dropped massively. Im pretty sure we'll be eligible for the 2 year funding. I've had to take DD out of nursery due to not being able to afford it now and would love for her to return.

We will be on universal credit and I know that you need to contact your nursery to apply for the nursery funding.

My question is how long does it take for them to say yay or nay for funding. Is it a few weeks or do you know straight away and how soon after will DD be able to start back.

Thank you

Each local authority will have a different application process.
You will need your universal credit payments to be in place as they will use an online checking system that links to the benefit system to check your eligibility.
I would have a look at the family information website for your LA. They should have all the info you will need about applying on there.
On our online application system, if you're eligible you receive an answer immediately.

From memory they give you an eligibility code...

Snozzlemaid oh thanks!. So it's pretty much straight away you find out.
Yes I did contact my LA and they advised me that when my UC payment confirmation comes through to contact the nursery and they'll do the check.

The LA had to do mine manually when I split with ex as the automatic system takes quite a bit longer to class you as eligible

I would also ask nursery to put you on a waiting list for a funded place ASAP and tell them you’re going to apply for 2yof as they may have limited funded places.

I got sent a golden ticket by my children's centre for my 2 year old. You can call and ask them to consider you for it.
If you claim UC you can get 85% of your childcare costs added to your statement.

The application process should tell you which option is better (it did when I applied for my 30 hours funding anyway)

You contact your LA and if you can claim it they will give you a code you give to the nursery.

You find out instantly but it doesn't start until the following term. So you need to contact the Nursery asap for a September start. As soon as you have a live UC award, you can apply the same day.

Thehop thanks I hadn't thought about having a waiting list for funded places. Just assume she would have a place as she has only ended her nursery since this month.

mummydoingamasters I like the golden ticket - sounds like Charlie and the chocolate factory! 😆

@Ponoka7

You find out instantly but it doesn't start until the following term. So you need to contact the Nursery asap for a September start. As soon as you have a live UC award, you can apply the same day.

In our LA the funding can start the term following the child's 2nd birthday and after that will start immediately you're found to be eligible. So best to check in your area for this.

Snozzlemaid yes I was told once it's confirmed the childcare can start immediately.

@robbedindaylight

mummydoingamasters I like the golden ticket - sounds like Charlie and the chocolate factory! 😆

I felt like Charlie 😂 it couldn't start until the term after he turned 2 so he's an August baby so he started the September. Definitely worth a call to your HV to see if they can get it sorted. Both mine go to childminder now so the toddler is on 30 hours funded and then the baby we claim back through universal credit.

The HV should help advise with the best suited one though

@robbedindaylight could you please help me?? I am also in the same situation right now. Did you end up getting the funded place for your daughter ?? how long it took after getting the Uc payment??

This was a while ago now so not sure if it's changed. At the time, as soon as I received my first UC payment, basically confirming that I'm eligible for it, I informed the nursery. They requested the NI numbers of both mine and DH and the next day, they confirmed that she would receive funding. It was super quick and easy. I had no forms to fill or anything.

As DD was already going to that nursery prior, they didn't put her on a waiting list. She just had a short gap of absence and reinstated her place as she was back at nursery pretty much the following week after they confirmed.

Just seen that you've asked how long before you get the UC payment. I think from applying to receiving the first payment it was 5-6 weeks. During this period DD was pulled out of nursery. It's a long time to be without an income but they do offer a small interest free loan if you're struggling.

Good luck and I hope it all gets sorted for you.