Applying for new 15 hours free childcare

[hipyy]

Hi
Anyone trying to or already applied for the new 15 hours free childcare for 2 year olds for working parents?
We currently get tax free childcare but are now eligible for 15 hours free from April but haven't got a clue how to apply. The gov website just keeps sending me round in circles and don't know how to apply for it

I think if you already get tax free childcare you’ll be sent a code automatically

Hi, I have had the same problem. You definitely have to apply, you don’t get it automatically, but I just keep getting sent round in circles too. I’ve seen some places saying you can apply from 2nd January, other places say apply from the 15th January. Really not sure where to go to apply for it!

@RW1983 yes I think from what I read, the applications open from 2nd January but it is 'recommended' to apply from 15th January so that you don't have to reconfirm details before it starts in April. But I don't mind, I'm happy to reconfirm. I just want to know that I'll definitely be getting it. It's so frustrating how there's no clear instructions on what we need to do, only when we need to do it...

Hi posted this in old thread but wanted to ask here as on topic if my understanding is correct -
Husband works full time, I've been stay at home mum for several years (first kid 5, second 1.5).
If I register my own business (eg photographer) then even if I don't earn anything we'd be eligible for the 15 hours for when our kid is 2 (term after birthday - turns 2 in may so sept. Term start) and that would be the case for 12 months? Then only when it comes to the 30 hours at 3 would we need to show that the business made or is likely to make the minimum amount? Ie forecast 18k? And even then would it be the case that I could e.g. maybe earn 10k for whole year and it would be a "oops business didn't generate enough" or would the 3 monthly check be - sorry no longer qualified?
I'm not trying to scam or anything but I've been doing this as a hobby and without much time so hoping to use the 15h to help build up client base and portfolio over year to then hopefully turn it into something by second year.
Many thanks all!

Following as I'm going to try and apply this week. I don't do the TFC so not sure if it'll complicate it or make it easier.

If you get tax free childcare you can apply when you next reconfirm.

If not, you should be able to apply now if your child has reached 1 year and 36 weeks old.

Here's the link to apply https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-childcare-if-youre-working

The link just takes you to your existing TFC account though. And there isn't an option which relates to 15 hours free as such. The only thing I can think is to re-apply maybe?

The website and phone lines aren't working for this - friend of mine says her page crashed too and the helpline hung up on her immediately.

@princesstoots yeah I tried pressing the reapply option on my account but it said my child was already approved for TFC so wouldn't let me go any further

I reconfirmed my details yesterday and it then gave me a code for my 2 year old without me doing anything else. Might be worth trying that? I needed to reconfirm anyway so maybe it o my works when it’s due?

So I got through to the helpline/customer services this morning on the phone. Basically you can only apply when your reconfirmation window opens for your tax free childcare account opens. So you know how you have to reconfirm your eligibility every 3 months? So when you do that, that’s when you can apply/get a code. Unfortunately I just had my reconfirmation in December so now I have to wait for March to get my code. Not sure how this will work with my child’s nursery though, because they bill a month in advance so I will get my bill for April in March…. But that’s another thing to sort out anyway!

As above, I rang this morning. Can only apply when you re-confirm details.
They said this should be very quick to get the code as already on the system.
I too have to wait till March as last confirmed in December.

Oh fab that's good to know. Thank you for letting us know!

When should we apply if we never had anything before? DC is 1.5, born may, seeking 15h...thanks!

You'll be eligible in September, apply from mid June time. Are you working and claiming tax free childcare? If so, no need to do anything it will be generated automatically.

Thanks for reply. No not yet. Husband is,.plan was for me to register as self employed (although not sure as ltd or sole trader or what yet) at time of application so that we'd both count as working

What are you going to be self employed doing? Doesn’t sound like you have a plan other than make it sound you are working to claim funded hours?

Being the Director of a Ltd company is very different legally. And expensive to set up if you’re only planning on earning £10-18k a year. Wouldn’t be worth it.

Photography. (They posted up thread.)

This is exactly their plan. They also wish to register a different business after the first year to reset the clock...

Similar to photography. Service based. Equipment already purchased so no expenditure.

yep. look if that can be done then why not. i do this as a hobby and it has some interest from my social circle. how would i possible know if it will take off. if im only able to generate 5k then would you prefer i stopped altogether in 2nd year? seems like resetting the clock would be better idea if possible. by then 2nd child is older even more and those 15 hours - 30 hours can be used even more productively / properly to get it going.

honestly, if we werent funding things like war abroad and wasting money through corruption etc then we wouldnt even need to discuss this as it would be provided to everyone.

Because it’s a real dick move and stretches the money that the people who actually work and need have to go round. It also puts increasing pressure on childcare providers to work at a loss with more funded hours.
if you don’t work, then why on earth should the government pay for your childcare? What a load of shite

I have no time for this. Childcare providers are stretched to shit working for low pay, this funding is a punch in the gut for them and won't work well even for those parents who are genuinely entitled to claim and are putting back in to society. You're a benefit cheat and I have no time for that.

Yeah so the problem is not this the problem is wasting billions on foreign aid, crony COVID contracts and not going after billionaires.

You do realise that with some fields even if you are not earning you could be building a portfolio or learning that would then generate the new business? The skill and clients don't come from vacuum either.