Free 15 hours Nursery

vix2000

I am a single mum with twins who will be 3 in September.  I am also disabled and receive PIP higher rate, UC with limited capability to work and esa contribution based. I am not working due to illness.

Last summer I received a letter saying that I may be entitled to free childcare and giving a number to ring.  I called in September, and was told that they wouldn’t be elegible until January. She also said my daughters were eligible from 9months!

In December I was sent a temporary code.  When my twins started nursery in January I gave them the code and everything was fine.  I was not made aware that I needed to send a code every 3 months so when the nursery asked me for a code in May, I called again and was given another code, which I gave to the nursery. 

I have today received a call from nursery saying that the code will not work.  I immediately called to hopefully receive a working code.  I was told that the code I was given would not work after 1st April.  I questioned why I was given it in May and was told someone had made a mistake.  I was then told that I was not eligible for the free hours and that I should never have been told that I was eligible given I was a single parent living alone, that I am now liable for payments to the nursery for both children, approximately £2500 for the term. 

I repeated that I had called and spoken to people 3 times and have been constantly told that my children were eligible.  I was told that I had been given the wrong information and basically it is tough and I will have to pay.  As a single mum on benefits with a disability I have no way to pay this and am at my wits end with worry.    Can this really be correct?

8dayweek

Does your Council have an option to apply online? Or only over the phone?

https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/15-and-30-hours-childcare-support/additional-support/eligibility

This would suggest you’re eligible - it falls under “15 hours early learning for families receiving some additional forms of support”. 

I wonder if they’re entering your details into the “wrong” checker or something? (As in using the checker for a different scheme and getting a negative response). 

Yamor

When did you stop working, and how much were you earning before stopping? Did you get SSP after stopping to work?

In any event, you are eligible, and have been eligible since January 2025, for the 15 hours free childcare for low income parents.

This phone number you have been calling, is it your Local Authority or HMRC's childcare service (0300 123 4097)

marcia_

vix2000 said:

I am a single mum with twins who will be 3 in September.  I am also disabled and receive PIP higher rate, UC with limited capability to work and esa contribution based. I am not working due to illness.

Last summer I received a letter saying that I may be entitled to free childcare and giving a number to ring.  I called in September, and was told that they wouldn’t be elegible until January. She also said my daughters were eligible from 9months!

In December I was sent a temporary code.  When my twins started nursery in January I gave them the code and everything was fine.  I was not made aware that I needed to send a code every 3 months so when the nursery asked me for a code in May, I called again and was given another code, which I gave to the nursery. 

I have today received a call from nursery saying that the code will not work.  I immediately called to hopefully receive a working code.  I was told that the code I was given would not work after 1st April.  I questioned why I was given it in May and was told someone had made a mistake.  I was then told that I was not eligible for the free hours and that I should never have been told that I was eligible given I was a single parent living alone, that I am now liable for payments to the nursery for both children, approximately £2500 for the term. 

I repeated that I had called and spoken to people 3 times and have been constantly told that my children were eligible.  I was told that I had been given the wrong information and basically it is tough and I will have to pay.  As a single mum on benefits with a disability I have no way to pay this and am at my wits end with worry.    Can this really be correct?

 You need to be in employment to get free childcare 

Spoonie_Turtle

marcia_ said:

vix2000 said:

I am a single mum with twins who will be 3 in September.  I am also disabled and receive PIP higher rate, UC with limited capability to work and esa contribution based. I am not working due to illness.

Last summer I received a letter saying that I may be entitled to free childcare and giving a number to ring.  I called in September, and was told that they wouldn’t be elegible until January. She also said my daughters were eligible from 9months!

In December I was sent a temporary code.  When my twins started nursery in January I gave them the code and everything was fine.  I was not made aware that I needed to send a code every 3 months so when the nursery asked me for a code in May, I called again and was given another code, which I gave to the nursery. 

I have today received a call from nursery saying that the code will not work.  I immediately called to hopefully receive a working code.  I was told that the code I was given would not work after 1st April.  I questioned why I was given it in May and was told someone had made a mistake.  I was then told that I was not eligible for the free hours and that I should never have been told that I was eligible given I was a single parent living alone, that I am now liable for payments to the nursery for both children, approximately £2500 for the term. 

I repeated that I had called and spoken to people 3 times and have been constantly told that my children were eligible.  I was told that I had been given the wrong information and basically it is tough and I will have to pay.  As a single mum on benefits with a disability I have no way to pay this and am at my wits end with worry.    Can this really be correct?

 You need to be in employment to get free childcare 

I don't think that's correct
https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds-claim-benefits
(Then when they're 3: https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-3-to-4-year-olds )

marcia_

Spoonie_Turtle said:

marcia_ said:

vix2000 said:

I am a single mum with twins who will be 3 in September.  I am also disabled and receive PIP higher rate, UC with limited capability to work and esa contribution based. I am not working due to illness.

Last summer I received a letter saying that I may be entitled to free childcare and giving a number to ring.  I called in September, and was told that they wouldn’t be elegible until January. She also said my daughters were eligible from 9months!

In December I was sent a temporary code.  When my twins started nursery in January I gave them the code and everything was fine.  I was not made aware that I needed to send a code every 3 months so when the nursery asked me for a code in May, I called again and was given another code, which I gave to the nursery. 

I have today received a call from nursery saying that the code will not work.  I immediately called to hopefully receive a working code.  I was told that the code I was given would not work after 1st April.  I questioned why I was given it in May and was told someone had made a mistake.  I was then told that I was not eligible for the free hours and that I should never have been told that I was eligible given I was a single parent living alone, that I am now liable for payments to the nursery for both children, approximately £2500 for the term. 

I repeated that I had called and spoken to people 3 times and have been constantly told that my children were eligible.  I was told that I had been given the wrong information and basically it is tough and I will have to pay.  As a single mum on benefits with a disability I have no way to pay this and am at my wits end with worry.    Can this really be correct?

 You need to be in employment to get free childcare 

I don't think that's correct
https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-2-year-olds-claim-benefits
(Then when they're 3: https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs/free-childcare-and-education-for-3-to-4-year-olds )

 You are right i got them mixed up 

sheramber

There is the governments provided tax free childcare scheme which you apply for online.
 

There is also
the 15 hours early learning for families receiving some additional forms of support scheme.

that is applied for through your local council .

You would not be eligible for that scheme so I wonder if that is what has  been operating. 

You should be applying online for Tax Free Chikdcare. 

https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-tax-free-childcare

Can you claim official error for being given wrong advice  and awarded payments?