maternity leave 'keeping in touch days' will I get help with childcare?

louloulouisa

Hi

I am currently on maternity leave, my baby is 11 weeks, and have been talking to my boss about doing some 'keeping in touch days' this would mean working 10 hours, will I get help with childcare from tax credits?

I currently get £52 and have 2 other children who are not in childcare.

I called them to ask if they could do an estimate, and they asked 'what will be my income for this tax year.... but I don't know what it will be - as it depends if I do the 'keeping in touch days'!!!!

I'm really stressed, and wished they could give me an answer!

The nursery is £45.60 for 2 days or 68.40 for 3 days.

Thanks

Lou x

louloulouisa

Ooops that should say: working 10 hours per week

karenx

You are only allowed 10 keeping in touch days altogether. You could get help with the costs but you would need to be working 16hours plus per week to get the help. Plus for a nursery you would need a deposit etc to secure the space.

louloulouisa

Oh God, I really have baby brain at the moment!!! sorry, my boss said I can work one, 8 hour day - per week, for 10 weeks.

So I need to work 16 hours in order to get help, but I can't really work 16 hours, as my boss said 8 hours???

So that means I can't do 'keeping in touch days'???

karenx

Yes theres nothing stopping you. Can your partner or parents etc not help with looking after the baby?

To get help with childcare costs both parents need to be working 16hours plus and how much you get depends on the joint income.

louloulouisa

Hi Karen

unfortunately no, My partner works full time, and when he gets home he works each evening too:eek:

and our family don't live close

That really sucks that you can't get help with childcare for keeping in touch days, and really annoying as I called the tax credits a few weeks back and the lady on the phone said I would get help, and I have enrolled my baby into a nursery already :mad:

Thanks for all your help Karen :beer:
Lou x

nottslass_2

louloulouisa wrote: »

Oh God, I really have baby brain at the moment!!! sorry, my boss said I can work one, 8 hour day - per week, for 10 weeks.

So I need to work 16 hours in order to get help, but I can't really work 16 hours, as my boss said 8 hours???

So that means I can't do 'keeping in touch days'???

Whilst you are on(ordinary) maternity leave you are still classed as working.

If your income is low enough to to be entitled to help with childcare costs you can still claim it whilst on ML.

As far as I'm aware you should just be able to ring up the TCO and report your child care costs.

nottslass_2

karenx wrote: »

Yes theres nothing stopping you. Can your partner or parents etc not help with looking after the baby?

To get help with childcare costs both parents need to be working 16hours plus and how much you get depends on the joint income.[/QUOTE]

The OP is still classed as working (her usual hours)during ML.

louloulouisa

Thanks Nottslass :beer:

nottslass_2

Just wanted to add,its obviously dependant on your joint income.

liam8282

Are the "keeping in touch days" essential, you are after all on maternity leave.

If it is going to cause more problems than it is worth can you just reject them and continue your maternity as normal?