Universal Credit
Universal Credit can pay up to 85% of your childcare costs. It is available to families where single parents or two parent families are both in paid work or have an offer of paid work. The monthly maximum amount paid back to you is £646.35 for 1 child or £1108.04 for 2 or more children.
Important to know
Universal Credit is being phased in over the next few years. It will replace a number of existing benefits, including tax credits.
You cannot claim Universal Credit at the same time as tax credits and tax-free childcare.
Tax credits
Tax credits for childcare can pay up to 70% of your childcare costs. It is available to single parent or two parent families who are eligible for working tax credit and are in at least 16 hours of paid work each week.
You may also be eligible for child tax credit, even if you are not working.
How to claim tax credits
Tax credits have been replaced by Universal Credit for most people. You can still make a new claim for tax credits if:
- you have 3 or more children - they must be under 17 (or under 20 and in eligible education or training)
- you or your partner have reached Pension Credit qualifying age
- you get the severe disability premium or got it in the past month and are still eligible for it
Find out how to claim tax credits on the www.gov.uk website
If you cannot make a new claim for tax credits, apply for Universal Credit instead.