Childcare grant - income thresholds and assessment.

Taiko

Based on those figures, you would be entitled to some help with childcare, but it's only in the region of around £800 for the year. This is just roughly based on what you've told me though. Exact figures may change it.

Sorry for the delay in replying, I've been dealing with funeral arrangements and such, so not really been in a position to answer more complex questions.

Taiko

What I should have said is that would be ~£800 of Parents Learning Allowance. Was no entitlement to childcare really, although you'd need to claim that to get the PLA.

hodders

Thanks Taiko for taking the time to look at this for me.

I did ring the Student finance company and they said we would entitled to some Childcare grant but couldn't say how much. I can't believe there are no set figures anywhere. I just want to know whether we will be able to afford to pay the mortgage and make sure I am not going to have to stop studying half way through.

Taiko

That's rather annoying telling you you'll get help with it.

In principle, you're eligible. You're means tested out of that though, so it leaves you with that entitlement to PLA for the year.

How long did it take them to tell you you'd be entitled to some? Surely having some of the figures would've been best for a quick working. Doesn't sound like they did at all.

hodders

They just said as long as we were earning under £50k a year then we were entitled to some. They didn't ask me any other questions about out outgoings etc.

Taiko

That is absolutely outrageous, tbh. You can earn whatever amount per year and be eligible if your outgoings are high enough.

If you remember the time you called, I would consider making a complaint.

alwaysonthego_2

My DH earns a very low net income and we are not entitled to the childcare grant because we have very low outgoings and get WTC I think, so I have to pay mine out of my grants and loan which does not leave me much left

Taiko

You get the childcare element of WTC I assume. That's what rules you out, it's one or the other.

alwaysonthego_2

Taiko wrote: »

You get the childcare element of WTC I assume. That's what rules you out, it's one or the other.

We don't get that either as I don't work.

Taiko

If you want me to check it, post up net income and outgoings, number of children and amount of childcare you'd be looking to claim per week. I'll do some calcs.

If it's not before 5:30 today, I'll have to do them next week.