Eligibility
To be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare, you, and your partner (if you have one), must:
- be at least 16 years old
- be in the UK, or treated as being in the UK
- be responsible for the child you are applying for
- be in qualifying paid work, which can include being:
- self-employed
- on shared parental, maternity, paternity, or adoption leave
- on sick leave or annual leave
- expect to earn on average at least a weekly amount equivalent to 16 hours a week at the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage over the next 3 months
- not have adjusted net income of more than £100,000 per year
- not be in receipt of:
- Universal Credit
- Childcare Vouchers
If you’re not currently working, you may still be eligible if your partner is working, and you get any of the following:
- Incapacity Benefit
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance or (in Scotland only) Carer Support Payment
- contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
- national insurance credits on the grounds of incapacity for work or limited capability for work
You can apply if you’re starting or re-starting work, but you should apply from a certain date. That date will depend on when you start or re-start work.
| Date of starting work | When to apply |
|---|---|
| Between 1 May to 30 September | From 1 April |
| Between 1 October to 31 January | From 1 September |
| Between 1 February to 30 April | From 1 January |
Find out more about eligibility for Tax-Free Childcare on GOV.UK.
If eligible, you can receive Tax-Free Childcare for your child until 1 September after their 11th birthday, or until 1 September after their 16th birthday if they are disabled.
You can also claim Tax-Free Childcare alongside 30 hours for working parents – check the Combining Schemes page for more info.