child tax credit childcare element

[hulahoop09]

Hiya

Atm we dont get ctc and lo isnt in childcare. We are ttc no.2 and both may possibly have to go into childcare. The one we would send them you can pay the fees weekly. If I were to put both in say from july 2014 as it stands(likely will change) we will pay approx 350pm towards childcare ctc would pay the rest. Now I would struggle paying my share the first month as will be on smp so will need to work out how we will afford that. At what point do I start claiming for childcare? It is allowed to notify them in advance when childcare will begin so to get payment to pay the nursery? I will struggle to afford my share the first month never mind paying it all til they process my claim. Lol.

Xx

 

[Mrs.S.]

hiya.

no you can't get money from ctc in advance. the will only let you claim once they start at nursery so on the day they start you phone and claim and they will process it from that day x

 

[hulahoop09]

Well that sucks seeing as it will likely take them 2 months to sort it and I cant afford 1k a month working full time never mind when I will be going back after maternity. Aaaarrrrggghhh. How do peoe who cant afford it do it while waiting for ctc? Lol.

Xx

 

[ILoveShoes]

Will you be entitled to the childcare element?
I'm only asking because we aren't entitled to it.
My LO is in nursery for 2 days per week, and it costs us around £300 per month.
xx

 

[hulahoop09]

Yes atm we would be entitled to approx 700pm. Obviously that will likely decrease. Fees will be over 1k per month. They will be in childcare 3 1/2 days per week

Xx

 

[ILoveShoes]

Wow. I hope you don't mind me asking, but what is your monthly income please?
Please don't feel like you have to tell me though.
xx

 

[hulahoop09]

We earn about 28k between us. Xx

 

[ILoveShoes]

Thank you xx

 

[suzib76]

I know it doesn't help but anytime I have made changes to my tax credits claim it has been processed within days, not months. Maybe you could have a word with the nursery and make weekly payments until you get ahead of yourself - also when second lo arrives you will prob get more ctc so will have a it extra to maybe put some away every week towards the nursery when the time comes. Another option is to slightly stagger them starting nursery if possible

 

[hulahoop09]

Thanks. Atm we dont get any ctc and if have a 2nd lo we will get approx 50pm which we would need to keep to one side for nursery anyway. Our lo atm may not be able to be taken care of by grandparent sooner than i thougt so gosh knows what we are gonna do. I was hoping to pay of some debt by july so when maternity comes wont be dfficult but looks like we have a possibility we may end up minus each mnth. I could cry!

 

[ellismum]

I wouldn't go by the current figures when working it out, there are some changes coming up and it's highly likely that the limits of income will be lowering.

Childminders are generally cheaper and more flexible than nurseries and have to adhere to the Early Years criteria, are they an option?

 

[hulahoop09]

Yeah I knew the figures were changing so does that mean they are lowering the earnigs allowed even more? They changed them last year so we lost the 45pm as we 'earnt too much'. Im hoping they wont lower it too much more to screw us over on childcare aswell!

I considered childminder but would be even more difficult finding one nearby but also the whole month up front again would be difficult. And I think trying to find one with space that has space for during our working hours and not too sure how would work that when they take holiday us having to find someone else to take care of them. Xx

 

[hulahoop09]

https://www.hmrc.gov.uk/rates/taxcredits.htm

Seems they are raising a couple of the thresholds. Not sure what the joint income one is I am gonna see if this is changing at all. Lol.

Xx

 

[ellismum]

Yeah I knew the figures were changing so does that mean they are lowering the earnigs allowed even more? They changed them last year so we lost the 45pm as we 'earnt too much'. Im hoping they wont lower it too much more to screw us over on childcare aswell!

I considered childminder but would be even more difficult finding one nearby but also the whole month up front again would be difficult. And I think trying to find one with space that has space for during our working hours and not too sure how would work that when they take holiday us having to find someone else to take care of them. Xx

We used one for 3 years and the holiday thing was never a problem. They gave us a good 10-12 months warning so we just took leave between us and arranged family around it. At no point did we get left in the lurch because they were ill either. One of our local nurseries has been shut twice this winter due to Noro!

We also paid weekly and never a month up front.

Have a look on direct.gov for a list of OFSTED registered CM's in your area.

 

[hulahoop09]

Thanks. I think someone in here mentioned their cm off for 2 wks in nov or something like that which nust of been a pain. Hubby doesnt get much holiday anyway. When lo starts school we will have to somehow share hols which still leaves us to find childcare. Mil and fil cant have her and my dad may have to go back to work so we would be stuck! Lol.

For first few years til they are both in school money is gonna be v.tight if we have to pay childcare hoping we will manage but I am sure will all be worth it looking back! Lol. Xx

 

[hulahoop09]

And we dont drive which can be a nightmare at times. Bus fares are so expensive so its cheaper for us to get a taxi to town or walk which is crazy! xx

 

[ellismum]

They may know other CM's who can have LO if they are off. They are quite socialable with other CM and often have agreements in place to help out and it's likely that LO will know them. Worth asking when calling around!

Re the threshold things, I saw today that Clegg plans to help those earning more than £50k with child are with upto £1k assistance. Why doesn't the twat just reinstate CB!?!?! There will be some changes, fingers crossed positive for you!

Good luck xxx

 

[hulahoop09]

What about those who earn less but still need to work and wana work. We earn joint about 29k now hubby jst had a little payrise. Atm we would pay over 1k childcare a mnth and ctc would help with about 700. If they reduce that too mucg I would worry!

Xx