What to do if your eligibility check is 'not found’
This guidance is for parents/carers who have completed a free early learning eligibility check for their two year old child but have received the message 'not found'.
Meeting the financial criteria
Who is eligible?
Parents/carers are eligible if they are in receipt of any of the following financial support:
- Universal Credit
- Income support
- Income based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income related Employment and Support Allowance (if you are unable to work due to illness or disability)
- The guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
- Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
- Receives Disability Living Allowance
Why the eligibility check may be 'not found'
Firstly please check that the parent's surname, Date of Birth and NI or NASS reference provided on the Redbridge Parent Portal are the same as on any financial support (for example if you have changed your surname but not yet updated HMRC).
If you are a two parent family was the check carried out using the details of the parent/carer in receipt of the above financial support? If not please create a new account for the second parent/carer on Redbridge Parent Portal and complete a new check.
If both parents/carers have completed a check and the message is still showing 'not found' you will need to send evidence that you meet the criteria to using the details provided below.
Those in receipt of Tax Credits
Who is eligible?
Parents/carers are eligible if they are in receipt of any of the following financial support:
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
and the household income is £16,190 or less per year.
Why the eligibility check may be 'not found'
Not all parents/carers in receipt of Child or Working Tax Credits will be eligible. Your household income must be £16,190 or less per year (that is the combined income of all parent/carers in the household). You can check your household income on your most recent Tax Credit Award letter.
- If your household income is more than £16,190 then you are not eligible for a free early learning place for two year olds
- If your household income has changed since your most recent Tax Credit Award letter you will need to advise HMRC and re-apply for the early learning place once you receive your amended award letter
You also need to check that the parent's surname, Date of Birth and NI or NASS reference provided on the Redbridge Parent Portal are the same as on any financial support (for example if you have changed your surname but not yet updated HMRC).
If you are a two parent family was the check carried out using the details of the parent/carer in receipt of the above financial support? If not please create a new account for the second parent/carer on Redbridge Parent Portal and complete a new check.
If you are eligible and both parents/carers have completed a check and the message is still showing 'not found' you will need your Tax Credit Award letter using the details provided below. We will only accept this evidence where we receive all pages of the award letter (usually 6 to 8 pages per letter).
Statement or EHC Plan
All children with a current statement of special educational need or an Education, Health and Care plan are eligible for the two year old early learning places.
If your child meets the criteria you will need to provide your child's details to us. We will liaise with the relevant service within the London Borough of Redbridge to confirm the child's eligibility.
Child looked after by the Local Authority
All children looked after by the local authority will be eligible for a free early learning place.
If you are caring for a child that meets this criteria you will need to provide the child's details to us. We will liaise with the relevant service within the London Borough of Redbridge to confirm the child's eligibility.
Has left care through special guardianship or an adoption or residence order
All children who have left local authority care through a special guardianship, adoption or residence order will be eligible for a free early learning place.
If your child, or a child that you are caring for, meets this criteria you will need to provide us with evidence of the relevant order using the details provided below.
Providing us with evidence of your eligibility
If you need to send us evidence of your child's criteria, please scan your copies and send to us at find@redbridge.gov.uk. Please include your name and contact telephone number as we will need to contact you for additional details.