Hi, my name is natty94! Can I get 15 hours free childcare on ESA and PIP?

natty94

Hey! Just looking for some advice on the free 15 hours nursery funding in the uk. I am still on esa (support group) and claim pip also, I have not moved over to UC yet and I’ve seen you do not have too unless you choose too. But I’m wondering do I have to change over to get the free 15 hours or can I still get them being on ESA and pip? Thankyou

Rosie_Scope

Hi @natty94, welcome to the online community

I'm by no means an expert, but I believe you can get the 15 hours free for 2-year-olds if you're on income-related ESA. You could try using a benefits calculator to get an idea about whether you'd be eligible or not.

Hopefully one of our members has been through a similar thing and can offer some more solid advice, but I just wanted to say hello and welcome anyway! I'll pop your post over to our benefits and financial support section so more members can find it and offer their thoughts. 

poppy123456

A benefits calculator will not help with child care entitlement. 

Are you living with a partner that works? If not and you're a single parent are you working yourself doing permitted work while claiming ESA? Are you claiming any other benefits such as child tax credits?

natty94

Hi poppy, I live at home still with my daughter the only other benefits I get is child benefit. I don’t work because of my health which is why I’m in the support group x

poppy123456

natty94 said:

Hi poppy, I live at home still with my daughter the only other benefits I get is child benefit. I don’t work because of my health which is why I’m in the support group x

Woodbine is correct, if you're a single person you need to be working to claim for childcare. If you live with a partner then because you're unable to work due to your health condition, if your partner works then you can claim childcare. Please see the link I posted above. 

Is there any reason why you haven't claimed UC for extra money for your child? Times are hard and it can't be easy just claiming child benefit for your child. Your ESA is money for you and there's no extra money with this for your child. 

natty94

I understand that it does state online though that certain benefits qualify but I just wanted to see if anyone was in a similar situation. I’ve just managed well without changing over and I don’t want to be going 5 weeks without money which is why I haven’t done it yet. I don’t go out drink or anything so I’ve managed to make the money work x

poppy123456

Yes, certain benefits qualify you but you also have to be working if you're a single parent. There will not be anyone else in your situation claiming for childcare because they won't be entitled to it. 

You won't be without money for 5 weeks by claiming UC. Any income Related ESA you're claiming will continue for 2 weeks after you claim UC. You can also ask for an advance payment but this does need to be repaid back and your future payments will reduce. 

If any part of your ESA is contributions based this will continue but be deducted in full from any UC entitlement.