HM Revenue and Customs Tax-Free Childcare has limits on how much government top-up can be received per child. The government will add:

  • Up to £500 every 3 months per child

  • Equivalent to up to £2,000 per year per child

For disabled children, the limit increases to:
  • Up to £1000 every 3 months per child

  • Equivalent to up to £4,000 per year per child

What does this mean in practice? 

Because the government contributes 20%, to receive the full top up allowance, parents would need annual childcare costs totalling:

£0
Per child
£0
Per disabled child

Once the maximum top-up has been reached for that period, parents can still continue paying for childcare through their account – they just will not receive additional government contributions until the next entitlement period begins

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