Help paying for childcare

Tax-free childcare

You can get up to £2,000 a year for each child to help with the cost of childcare.

Claim tax-free childcare

30 hours funded childcare

If you're working and have a child aged 3 or 4 you can get 30 hours of funded childcare a week.

Check whether you're eligible

15 hours funded childcare

If you have a 2 year old child and are on certain benefits you can get 15 hours of funded childcare a week. 

Check if your 2 year old is eligible and apply online.

All families with children aged 3 and 4 can get 15 hours of funded childcare a week.  

Check when your child can start

Child Benefit

You can claim Child Benefit if you’re responsible for bringing up a child who is:

• under 16
• under 20 if they stay in approved education or training

Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child.

It’s paid every 4 weeks and there’s no limit to how many children you can claim for.

Claim Child Benefit

Claim back childcare costs

If you’re eligible for Universal Credit You may be able to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs.

Find out more about claiming back childcare costs

Help when you're pregnant

• If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be able to get help to buy healthy food and milk.  Check if you’re eligible for Healthy Start vouchers

• You may be eligible for a one-off payment of £500 to help towards the costs of having a child. Check if you’re eligible for the Sure Start Maternity Grant

Other help for families

Free school meals

If you're on a low income and receive certain benefits, your child can get free school meals.

School meals are a good way to make sure your child eats well at lunchtime and can save you time and money.

Apply for free school meals.

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF)

If you claim certain benefits and your child gets free school meals, they can attend activities in the christmas, easter and summer holidays and get a meal, all for free.

Find out about free holiday activities and food.

Local support for families

If you have young children your local children's centre can help you find information and support if you need it.

Find your nearest Children's Centre.

Support in your community 

Lots of advice and practical support to help with the cost of living is available from many different organisations, and it is often closer than people think.  

Find organisations that offer support in your community.