Many two-year-olds in Newcastle are eligible for 15 hours free childcare. We send golden tickets to families who we know are eligible, but circumstances change all the time so, you will still need to check if you are eligible with your local provider.
Who is eligible?
Families are eligible where:
- You are on a low income (see below) and in receipt of benefits or
- Your child is looked after by the council or has left care through adoption, special guardianship, or child arrangements order (previously residence order) or
- Your child receives Disability Living Allowance or has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
Low-income criteria – parents need to meet one of the following:
- Receiving any of these benefits - Income support, Income-based Job Seekers' Allowance, Income-related ESA or
- Receiving Universal Credit - if you and your partner have a combined income from work of less than £15,400 a year after tax;
- Receiving the Guarantee elements of the State Pension Credit;
- Receiving support under Part 6 of Immigration & Asylum Act 1999;
- Receiving Child Tax Credit, and have annual gross income of no more than £16,190, as assessed by HMRC;
- Receiving Working Tax Credit with a household income of less than £16,190 as assessed by HMRC;
- Non-UK citizen who cannot claim benefits (depends on earnings).
How do you apply or find out if you are eligible?
Visit your local childcare provider who can check if you are eligible. If you have a golden ticket letter, take this with you as this will help. They will need information about your child as well as your National Insurance or National Asylum Support Service number, your date of birth and contact details.
If you work and your income fluctuates, you may need to appeal to show average earnings over the last one, two or three months.
If you are eligible through another route, then you also need to take evidence of:
- Your child’s Disability Living Allowance award or
- An adoption, special guardianship or child arrangements order.