Nursery World - Coronavirus: Government extends Tax-Free Childcare and 30-hour childcare eligibility

More than 55,000 parents have applied for 30 hour childcare places since the start of lockdown, according to the Department for Education, which is extending the eligibility criteria for families whose incomes may have dropped during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Government has extended eligibility criteria for families that have had their jobs impacted by Covid-19

The Government said the demand demonstrated how essential the scheme was and why parents’ eligibility must be protected.

The DfE and HMRC have confirmed the extension of eligibility for the Government’s childcare offers for parents whose income has been affected by Covid-19.

Working parents who may earned less during the pandemic and fallen below the minimum income levels for 30 hours childcare and Tax-Free Childcare will continue to be eligible for the schemes until 31 October.

Critical workers who may exceed the income threshold for the 2020-21 tax year, as a result of working more to play a vital role in tackling the coronavirus pandemic, will also continue to receive support this tax year.

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