Chilcare Element of Tax Credits Query

prophecy_grrl

Hi
I work F?T but am on M/L at the minute, and will be going back to work P?T 30hrs p/w in September. My DH is in F?T education doing a PhD for which he gets a tax free bursary. He also works 5 hours a week during term time as an hourly paid lecturer.
We filled in the forms for tax credits and are getting about £20 a week (whcih is great), but have been told we can't get the childacre element cos heonly works taxable hours of 5 hours a week, and needs to work 16 hrs minimum for childcare elemen.
My question is this - he actually works 9-5 mon-Fri on his PhD, and has an office etc at the Uni he works in. If I call tax credits will they accept this as working more then16 hours? Or is there some other provision for F/T studnets?

I'd be really grafteul for any help - the work of tax credits is a nightmare, confuses me to tears!!!

Thanks x

DaisyFlower

It has to be paid employment so studying doesnt count for tax credit purposes.

oliver2008

Cant you get the childcare element based on your working hours?

Icequeen1

If you are part of a couple then both of you must be qualifying remunerative work (i.e. 16hrs or more EACH) to qualify for the childcare element.

The only exception is if one of you works 16hrs and the other is incapacitated (by the TC definition), in hospital or prison.

IQ

LizzieS_2

Icequeen1 wrote: »

If you are part of a couple then both of you must be qualifying remunerative work (i.e. 16hrs or more EACH) to qualify for the childcare element.

The only exception is if one of you works 16hrs and the other is incapacitated (by the TC definition), in hospital or prison.

IQ

Agree with above. Education hours do not count at all.

prophecy_grrl

Thanks for all your replies. This is pretty pants though isn't it? Oh well, tighten the belt rteady for the £500 a month nursery fees...

DaisyFlower

prophecy_grrl wrote: »

Thanks for all your replies. This is pretty pants though isn't it? Oh well, tighten the belt rteady for the £500 a month nursery fees...

I dont think its "pants" as you put it, if your OH has chosen to do his PHD then why should the state pick up the tab for childcare? Its an optional course and millions of jobs dont require this qualification.

Maybe he can pick up some evening or weekend work to help with the costs, he should help support the family unit too rather than just 5 hours a week.

scotty1971

why would you need the childcare element just now,when your not going back to work until september?

Violetta_2

Your partner should check with someone at Uni they may be able to help with childcare, some info here and here .

prophecy_grrl

Scotty 1971 - I don't need the childcare element till september, but it took me so long to fill in the tax credit form I thought it best to get a head start if I was eligible to help with childcare

Violetta - thanks for the links they're really useful

Daisy Flower - Thanks for taking the time to respond to my request for help, although I don't find your comments particularly useful, which is why I haven't thanked your post. I find it best not to pass harsh judgement on other people without knowing the full facts about their situation, and was under the impression that these forums were for help and advice on what help and benefits are available to people. I've always found that to be the case on other boards on the MSE site. I won't be commenting further on your post.

scotty1971

if your not going back to work until september,you won't know if your eligible until then,you can put your own 30hrs on the claim form,then they will be able to tell you if you are entitled to it