nursery free hours 15 or 30

baza52

Hi, Son works full time and his partner is deaf and claims PIP.
Granddaughter who is 3 currently gets 15 hours a week funded hours in a pre school/nursery.
Looking at the criteria for 30 hours either both parents need to work 16 or more hours each or one be in receipt of carers, esa etc but no mention of being on PIP and unable to work.
Is there any way to get the 30 hours funded or is it not an option?
Thanks

poppy12345

PIP isn't part of the criteria for the free childcare of 30 hours. https://www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare

calcotti

I think you are right that PIP does not qualify. Would need to be getting contribution based ESA - which I infer she doesn’t. I think this is because receipt of PIP is not an indication of inability to work. Many people work while getting PIP.

baza52

Thanks, thats what i thought the answer would be.

calcotti

Does partner get any other benefits?
If partner was to apply for new style ESA, although partner presumably doesn’t qualify due to not meeting NI requirements, this would trigger a Work Capability Assessment. If found to have Limited Capability for Work partner would be entitled to NI credits and I think this would count and 30 hours childcare would be possible. 
See https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/1257/regulation/9 regulation 9(1)(b)(vi)

(Partner probably doesn’t need the credits at the moment for pension purposes because she will be getting credits if she is receiving Child Benefit for a child under 12)

baza52

i believe she gets CB and some form of tax credits. I will look into ESA and let them know about it, thank you.