2-Year-Old Eligibility Codes

What is a 2-Year-Old Eligibility Code?

Some 2-year-olds are eligible for 15 hours of free childcare per week. This includes children from disadvantaged families or those meeting specific eligibility criteria. Parents must obtain an eligibility code from their local authority.

Who is Eligible?

2-year-old funding is available for families who receive:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit (with household income below £15,400 after tax)
• Tax Credits (with annual income below £16,190)
• Support through the National Asylum Support Service (NASS)
• Pension Credit

Also eligible are children who:

• Are looked after by the local authority
• Have a current Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan
• Receive Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Have left care through adoption, special guardianship, or a child arrangements order

Obtaining a Code

Parents apply through their local authority. The application process varies by council - most allow online applications through their website. Once approved, parents receive an eligibility code.

Verifying Codes

You must verify each 2-year-old code before claiming funding:

1. Use your local authority's Provider Portal
2. Enter the child's details and the eligibility code
3. The portal confirms if the code is valid
4. In the submission review, check 'I confirm I have verified the 2-year-old code'
5. Optionally upload evidence of verification
6. Add any verification notes

Code Expiry

2-year-old codes typically need to be reconfirmed annually, though this varies by local authority. Monitor expiry dates and:

• Remind parents before their code expires
• Advise them to reapply if their circumstances still qualify
• Update the expiry date in the system when reconfirmed