Government support with childcare costs during the Covid-19 pandemic

HM Government is providing support for businesses and workers during the Covid-19 pandemic, protecting livelihoods and helping to contain the virus. The government is also providing additional support with childcare for working parents through:

• 30 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds in England.
• Tax-Free Childcare for children up to age 11 and disabled children up to age 17 across the UK.

If you are a working parent who accesses a Government Covid-19 related support scheme (e.g. Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme or Self-Employment Income Support Scheme) you will still be eligible for childcare support even if you or your partner’s income falls below the normal minimum threshold. This support will align with the duration of the other schemes (currently 31 March 2021).

If you are a critical worker and have worked extra hours because of the pandemic, you’ll also still be eligible if you or your partner go over the £100,000 upper threshold in the current tax year (March 2020-2021).

If you are already using one of these schemes, please reconfirm your eligibility every three months.

Visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk to find out more information and what government offers you may be entitled to.