15 Hours Free Childcare???

[MissGiggles2016]

hiya I'm a single parent, not working and I get income support and child tax credits.
I wanted to get my 2 year old daughter into nursery as I'm able to claim the 15 hours free childcare. However I'm unsure if this will affect my tax credits?? Will it decrease or will I lose it all?
Thank you in advance.

Hi the 15 hours childcare doesn’t have any effect on tax credits or any other benefits you may receive. It’s the nursery/childcare setting that will claim payment for these hours.

Thank you for your reply. I'm so confused. I've been trying to read so many threads about it but they all seem a couple of years old.

Yes it’s really confusing. It gets complicated if people are working and paying for some of the childcare through tax credits, as in those cases household incomes can be affected as tax credits pay for about 80% of childcare costs. However in your situation the 15 hours free childcare is totally separate to your household finances I think you also have the option to have 11 hours per week all year round or 15 hours term time only depending on what’s available at your childcare setting.

Thanks so much for your help, I've just applied for her 15 hours so she's starting April! So nervous now lol.
Happy new year to you