Free child care for 2 years olds and income level

[MatildaV]

I have two children who will shortly turn 2. Up until now, I assumed that they wouldn't qualify for the free 15 hours funding for 2 year olds as I'm in work. However, I've read that the eligibility has changed this year and you can be eligible if your income is less than about £16,000. My question is, which year do they look at for income? My income for this tax year is higher than that, but for last year it is lower, as I was on maternity leave for part of the year. I've only been prompted to question which tax year they'll look at because I've recently been sent an NHS exemption certificate for this year, which is based on last year's earnings. I didn't get this last year, when my earnings were actually under the threshold, so they seem to work on a delay. I'm just wondering if it will be the same case for the child care funding - does anyone have any experience of this?

I'd also like to know this. I've been told that the scheme is dealt with by the local authority, so maybe each area varies. My local authority's website suggests that you need to be on income support/esa, or be on a low income with other factors such as a disabled parent or sibling, and each case is judged on its merits. But can I get through to anyone to check if I am eligible... well I have struggled thus far.

I would have thought they would look at your current situation, not what you earned last year, but I am not 100% sure on this.

No answer here but marking my place as my HV also mentioned this to me and I'd like to know if we'd qualify for it or not!

It is your current year estimate showing on your most recent tax award notice.

16k or less doesn't matter if you work or can be higher if you have a disabled child or certain other factors.

As SoonToBeSix says it's the income shown on your most recent tax credit award letter (tc602a).
It needs to be less than £16,190.

Thanks, I had assumed it would be this year's income, but the fact I received the NHS exemption card out of the blue just made me question it. Nothing in the whole system is logical!