Money to help pay for childcare

South Lanarkshire working families can get up to £2000 per child for childcare from the government.

The UK Government scheme offers up to £500 every three months for each child to help with the cost of childcare, this rises to £3000 per three months if a child is disabled.

If you get tax-free childcare, you can set up an online childcare account for your child. For every £8 you pay into this account, the government will pay £2 to use to pay to your childcare provider.

Tax free childcare can also be used alongside 30 hours free childcare if you are eligible for both.

You can use the funds to pay for approved childcare such as childminders, nurseries, nannies, after school clubs and play schemes.

Your childcare provider must be signed up to the scheme before you can pay them and benefit from the tax-free childcare.

If your child is disabled, you can also use the extra tax-free childcare money to help pay for extra hours of childcare or use it to help pay your childcare provider to allow them to get specialised equipment for your child such as mobility aids.

Eligibility for the scheme depends on if you are working, your income (and your partner’s income), your child’s age and circumstances and your immigration status.

If you are working you can usually get tax-free childcare if you (and your partner) are in work, on sick leave or annual leave, or on parental, maternity or adoption leave.

If you are not currently working you may still be eligible if your partner is working and you get Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance or contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.

You’ll need to earn a certain amount over the next three months – this is at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week on average.

Children aged 11 or under are eligible for the tax-free child care and stop being eligible on September 1 after their 11th birthday.