Martin Lewis says millions of people earning under £40k could claim £1,700 in free cash
Martin Lewis said families with a combined income of £40,000 should immediately check if they can claim Universal Credit.
Martin Lewis has urged households making less than £40,000 to see whether they're eligible for free cash to support childcare costs.
The money-saving guru made the appeal in his latest podcast as he identified various steps parents can take, including the "child element" of Universal Credit.
Mr Lewis said families with a combined income of £40,000 should immediately check if they can claim Universal Credit, as it can provide families as much as £617.60 per month, as well as an extra cash boost for childcare.
The "child element" could allow you to get £288 per child monthly, on top of what you receive from Universal Credit.
People in work can also claim back up to 85 percent of childcare costs. Mr Lewis recommended people check their UC eligibility before claiming tax-free childcare.
GMB: Martin Lewis on cost of living worries after election results
"You should check if you can get help, because you may be able to get quite a substantial amount via the benefits system," he told listeners, as per The Sun.
"And it's important that you check this first before using tax-free childcare, as if you do, claiming tax-free childcare can stop you getting those benefits."
"If you are earning under £40,000, and you have children and you haven't checked if you are on Universal Credit, then there are a number of 10-minute checking calculators online where you can check what you are entitled to."
Families of low income can use the following calculators to check eligibility:
There are also various other forms of government support parents can look into on the government website.
DON'T MISS:
Dermot O'Leary says 'you're a stirrer' as he steps in to stem fiery This Morning [REPORT]
Martin Lewis and Nick Ferrari halt This Morning as child poverty row explodes [INSIGHT]
Martin Lewis warns Labour over four 'broken and unfair' tax and benefits rules [LATEST]
Tax-free childcare
People who don't collect Universal Credit or Tax Credits might be eligible for tax-free childcare, which gives parents £2 for every £8 paid into the account.
Families can claim a maximum of £500 every three months and up to £2,000 annually per child.
If your child is disabled, you're entitled to claim £1,000 every three months, with an annual maximum of £4,000.
Tax-free childcare can be claimed along with 15 or 30 hours of free childcare hours.
Child benefit
You're also entitled to support if you're responsible for a child aged under 16, or someone who is under 20 and in approved education or training.
Child benefit currently stand at £25.60 per week for the eldest child. Parents get a further £16.95 a week per additional child.
The cash will come in every four weeks with no limit on how many children can be registered, though some of this will have to be paid back if you earn over £60,000 via the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC), and all of it will have to be paid back if you or your partner earn £80k.
Free childcare
Free childcare hours are currently being expanded under the newly elected Labour government.
The old cheme saw all parents getting 15 free hours for children aged three and four though some working parents could claim up to 30 hours.
Visit the government website to find out if you're entitled to unclaimed childcare support.
