Early education funding (EEF) for parents

• Eligibility
• When to apply
• How to apply
• Combining schemes
• Finding a childcare provider

Eligibility

Your 2 year old can get funded early learning if you live in England and get any of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit, and your household income is £15,400 a year or less after tax, not including benefit payments
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit

Your benefits will not be affected if you take up the 15 hours early learning offer.

2 year olds can also get funded childcare if they:

• Are looked after by a local authority
• Have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
• Get Disability Living Allowance
• Have left care under an adoption order, special guardianship order or a child arrangements order

No income thresholds apply.

If you and your partner (if you have one) are working, you may also be eligible for an additional 15 hours under the working parent entitlement.

If you're a working parent and you're not eligible for 15 hours early learning for families receiving additional forms of support, you may still be eligible for 30 hours under the working parent entitlement.

Government funding is intended to pay for 15 or 30 hours a week of high quality, flexible childcare. The 15 or 30 hours must be able to be accessed free of charge to parents.

Government funding does not cover:

• Meals
• Nappies
• Additional hours
• Additional activities, such as trips

You may be asked to contribute towards these costs. However, such charges must not be compulsory or a condition for accessing a funded place. If you're concerned, you can speak with your provider to explore any alternative options they may offer.

If you're not eligible for 15 hours early learning for families receiving additional forms of support, you may be able to get childcare if you're working under a separate scheme.

If you meet both sets of eligibility criteria, you must apply through this scheme.

Non-UK citizens

If you're a non-UK citizen who cannot claim benefits and your immigration status says you have 'no recourse to public funds', you may still get free childcare for your 2 year old. You must live in England and your household income after tax must be no more than:

• £26,500 for families outside of London with one child
• £34,500 for families within London with one child
• £30,600 for families outside of London with two or more children
• £38,600 for families within London with two or more children

You cannot have more than £16,000 in savings or investments.

Still not sure if you're eligible?

Use the eligibility checker

When to apply

How to apply

You can apply online by creating your own Citizen Portal Account:

Apply for Early Education Funding

Please navigate to the '2 Year Old Funding Application' button where you will be asked to create an account. You will need to provide the following information:

• Your email address
• Your full name (name as shown on your Universal Credit statements)
• Your date of birth
• Your address
• Your National Insurance (NI) number or National Asylum Seeker Service (NASS) number
• Your child's name
• Your child's date of birth

It only takes a few minutes and allows you to instantly check eligibility, track your application and contact our EEF team.

Once you've applied and received your EY voucher code via email, take this to your childcare provider. As long as they have a place available they will check your EY voucher code, ask you to complete a parent declaration form and let you know when your child can start their funded place. If for any reason your application has been declined or you are having trouble navigating the site, please contact our education support team at EducationCYPD@herefordshire.gov.uk

Combining schemes

You could be eligible to combine this scheme with an additional childcare funding programme, potentially increasing the financial support available to you. Further information is available at Combining schemes | Best Start in Life

Finding a childcare provider

Visit the Herefordshire Early Years Education and Childcare Directory to search for early education providers who offer funded places or use the government's find free early education and childcare search.