Financial support for families with young children and teens

Tax-Free Childcare to help parents to save on their childcare bills

With Tax-Free Childcare, families arranging childcare for the start and end of the school day can get financial support of up to £2,000 a year per child, or £4,000 if their child is disabled, towards the cost. Parents can use the scheme to pay for childcare for children aged 11 or under, or up to 16 if the child has a disability.

For every £8 deposited in a Tax-Free Childcare account, the government tops it by £2 which means parents can receive up to £500 (or £1,000 if their child is disabled) every three months to use to pay for their childcare costs.

Once an account is opened, parents can deposit money and use it straight away or keep it in the account to use whenever it’s needed. Any unused money in the account can be withdrawn at any time.  

For more information about Tax-Free Childcare and how to register visit GOV.UK.

Reminder to extend Child Benefit for your teen

Parents of 16 to 19 year olds, who are staying in education or training, can extend their Child Benefit claim to guarantee payments in September.

Child Benefit will automatically stop on 31 August on or after a child’s 16^th birthday if it’s not extended.

You can apply to extend Child Benefit quickly and easily via the HMRC app or online on the Gov.UK website. You need to do this by 31 August

https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19

Child Benefit is currently worth £26.05 per week - or £1,354.60 a year - for the eldest or only child and £17.25 per week - or £897 a year - for each additional child. More than 870,000 parents extended their Child Benefit claim for their teen last year with the majority confirming online or via the HMRC app in minutes.

Child Benefit can continue to be paid for young people who are studying full time in non-advanced education as well as unpaid approved training courses. Visit GOV.UK to check full eligibility.