Benefits and government support

Check if you can claim extra benefits from the government

Please make sure you are claiming all government support you can. It's worth checking even if you are already getting benefits like Universal Credit or Pension Credit. 

Check if you can claim extra benefits from a local Isle of Wight scheme


Government funding for childcare costs

You could save up to £2,000 a year towards your childcare costs to help pay for holiday clubs and wraparound care during the school terms. Don't miss out on the chance to save up to £500 every 3 months, or £1,000 if your child is disabled.

Families can sign up to Tax-Free Childcare to help pay for holiday clubs, before and after-school clubs, childminders and nurseries, and other approved childcare schemes. It is available to families with children up to the age of 11, or 17 if their child has a disability.

The government will pay 20% of childcare costs by topping up the money paid into a Tax-Free Childcare account. This means for every £8 paid into the online account, families will automatically receive an additional £2 in government top-up.

You can apply on the Tax-Free Childcare web pages.


Government support with energy bills

The Energy Bills Support Scheme is a government scheme. It provides a £400 non-repayable discount to households to help with their energy bills. It is running over winter 2022 to 2023. You don't have to pay it back. 

If you have not received your first instalment by the end of October 2022, you need to contact your supplier.

The Energy Price Guarantee is different to the Energy Bills Support Scheme. It will reduce the unit cost of electricity and gas for UK households until April 2023. This is automatic and applies to all households. Beware of scams – there is no need to apply and you will never be asked for bank details.