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  • Childcare Support Fund Application

    Care and Learning Alliance (CALA)

  • Section 1: About You

  • Thank you for your interest in the Childcare Support Fund. This fund aims to provide flexible, short-term childcare support for families experiencing financial hardship, unexpected life events, or circumstances that are affecting their ability to access childcare. All information provided will be treated confidentially.

  • Section 1: Applicant Details

  • Format: (000) 000-0000.
  • Preferred Method of Contact:*

  • Section 2: Child(ren's) Details

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  • Section 3: Household Information

  • Please provide details of children requiring childcare support:*
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  • Are you paying for childcare or additional hours above funding element?*
  • Please tick which applies*
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  • Section 4: Current Circumstances

  • What best describes the reason you are applying for support? (Please tick all that apply)*

  • Section 5: Financial Support and Benefits

  • Are you currently receiving Universal Credit?*
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  • Do you currently receive the Universal Credit Childcare Element?*
  • Have you discussed childcare support with your Work Coach?*
  • Please note: Receiving support through this fund may affect eligibility for some forms of childcare support. If you receive Universal Credit, you may wish to speak with your Work Coach before accepting support.

  • Other Childcare Support

  • Are you currently receiving any of the following? Tick all that apply:*
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  • Section 6: Temporary Financial Hardship

  • Have your household circumstances changed unexpectedly within the last 12 months?*

  • If yes, please describe what has happened and how it has affected your household income or ability to pay for childcare.

    Examples may include:
    • Illness or disability
    • Bereavement
    • Loss of employment
    • Reduction in working hours
    • Family breakdown
    • Unexpected caring responsibilities
    • Other unforeseen circumstances

  • Has this change resulted in a temporary loss or reduction of household income?*
  • Do you expect your circumstances to improve within the next 12 months?*
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  • Section 7: Household Income

  • What is your approximate household annual income before deductions?*

  • Impact of Current Circumstances

  • How would you describe the impact your current circumstances are having on your family?*

  • Section 8: Childcare Support Requested

  • What childcare support do you require?*
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  • Expected start date:*
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    2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year
  • How long do you expect to need support for?*

  • Section 9: Outcomes

  • How would childcare support help your family? (Tick all that apply)*
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  • Section 10: Declaration

  • I confirm that the information provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge.

    I understand that CALA may request further information to assess my application.

    I agree that my information may be used for the administration and monitoring of the Childcare Support Fund.

    I understand that I cannot receive payment twice for the same childcare costs.

    I also fully understand it is my responsibility to ensure that making a claim through the Childcare Fund will not affect any other financial support, benefits, or assistance I currently receive. This may include, but is not limited to, Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, or other means-tested benefits.

    CALA recommend that you seek advice from your Work Coach or contact the relevant benefit provider if you are unsure how a claim may impact your entitlement. Click here if you are unsure how to contact your Work Coach.

  • By signing this document, you confirm that you have read, understood and agree to the statements above

  • Date:*
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    2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit year

  • Supporting Information

  • To help us assess your application, you may provide supporting evidence such as:

    • Universal Credit award notice
    • Letter from employer regarding reduced hours
    • Medical evidence confirming illness
    • Evidence of bereavement or unexpected family circumstances
    • Evidence of training or education enrolment

    Please note: Lack of evidence will not automatically prevent an application from being considered where obtaining evidence would cause hardship.

    This final statement helps ensure the fund remains accessible to families experiencing crisis while still allowing CALA to demonstrate need and monitor outcomes.

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