15h free childcare eligibility

[Mate86]

Hi everyone,
I was hoping someone might have experience with this situation. My daughter is 10 months old and will start nursery in May. I’m fully employed, but my husband is currently unemployed and actively looking for a job. We were planning to apply for the 15 hours free childcare and the tax-free childcare, but since he’s unemployed, we won’t be eligible for the April term (unless he secures a job and we get the code before 31st March).
My question is: If he finds a job on or after 1st April, would there be a way for us to apply and access the funding from May, or would we have to wait until September? Has anyone been in a similar situation, and do you know if there’s any flexibility in the system?
Thanks in advance for any advice!

If you miss the April deadline (have to have your code by 31st march) then you will have to wait till September unfortunately.

As pp said, there's no flexibility in the system. The next cut off date is 31st August for the Autumn term .

Yep as others have said, if you miss April it’s September

Yeah, to confirm, theres no flexibility - unfortunately if you can’t make the declaration and provide the code by 1st April, it won’t kick in until September.

Best of luck to him!

Also make sure your husband registers for Child Benefit, even if you earn over the threshold (he can tick a box at the end saying he wants to “opt out” of the payment and just protect his state pension). He will get an NI credit for the year as a stay at home parent which will count towards his state pension down the line.

If the situation ever reverses you can transfer it into your name