Childcare allowance
If you have responsibility for a child under the age of 15 (or 17 if s/he has special educational needs) and you use registered or approved childcare (see
here), you can apply for a means-tested childcare allowance. You cannot receive this if you receive the childcare element in universal credit (see
here) or working tax credit (see
here).
The grant can cover up to 85 per cent of your actual costs of childcare, with a maximum payment of £128.78 a week for one child or £191.45 a week for two or more children. In Wales, the maximum payment for two or more children is £209.95 a week.