Help with childcare costs

[Wednesdayafternoon]

Hi all, I might be completely mistaken, but I'm sure a while ago I read somewhere that some families can claim 12 (or so) hours free childcare for under 3s?
I'm a single mum on UC ( I work PT). I know I can claim a percentage via UC but I was wondering if I can claim a certain amount of the hours outright?

You might be able to get 15 hours term time for a 2 year old if your income is low enough
www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds

I recommend checking in order to see what you can get.

So I'm a little confused by this -

"Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments"

Does this mean that my UC and wage need to be under £15400 annually? Because it suggests that but then says not including benifit payments and UC is a benifit 🤷🏼‍♀️

It’s if your take home pay is below £15,400
Uc is separate
You can also claim your up to 85% childcare costs from uc for anything over the 15 free hours you get

@Danikm151 ahhh thank you! My wage is just under £12000 but I have the UC top up. I live at my parents currently but I am assuming that their wages include?
I claimed the 85% with my eldest but with it being a month in arrears it was a bit of a pain and my payment date falls when they invoiced so some months I didn't get my invoice confirmed on to so this would be SO much more helpful!

I rang the council yesterday and they said they wasn't sure whether the £15400 included UC payment or not 😰😰😰😰
Has anyone actually claimed it before with UC?

Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments

UC is a benefit payment. Maybe pop a message in your journal and ask- DWP can clarify

I would contact your local authority and make an application. It should be straightforward and they will check your details and advise if you're eligible.
You've got nothing to lose by applying.

The £15400 definitely does not include your UC payments.
It is only your take home pay from any employment.

@Snozzlemaid thank you! I rang the council and they said I can apply for April which I will do! But I was just confused because the statement seemed to contradict itself?
I know I can claim 85% but like I said before it didn't really work out for me last time so I'm really hoping I qualify 😬

Good luck with it.

You can claim the 85% of whatever you pay after the free hours too. Even though its in arrears its still good to get back and after the first month should be a massive help. As a childminder I set the payment dates to what works for parents ...but in advance...so 8f they wanted a date of the 24th say I'd set that date and month 1 they would pay start date to 24th month 2 25th to 24th receipt issued that day...sometimes parents are slow sending their receipts in though.

Glad it worked out!
for the 85% I pay nursery monthly and time it so it's well within the assessment period. I usually have to put a message in my journal to ask them to recalculate as they miss dates off.
annoying but always get the money on time.