Can you claim for looking after family member

jfwmb88

Hi there!

I'll just get to the point here. My mum is unemployed and looks after her grandaughter (my niece), who is coming on 6, for around 10-15 days a month. Some days for longer than others but usually for after school hours and some weekends/holidays etc. My nieces mum (my sister and my mums daughter), works full time and some weekends. I dont know if what she claims as a single mum would effect this, but could my grandmother claim money for being a carer of sorts to my niece?? Any help would be fantastic! :)

jfwmb88

I have posted this elsewhere and got the followin response: why should the taxpayer pay for her to look after her own grand-daughter?

My answer: My mum has put aside her job in order to help out. Now if we want to get onto the conversation of tax payers money....then how about my sister doesn't work at all, and can claim even more benefits???? why doesn't she do this? because she enjoys work and has pride

shell_542

In short, no there isnt. Unless your sister pays her. This is the exact reason my Mum doesn't watch my kids for me while I work. She cannot afford to. She has to work.

kelloggs36

Unless she registers as a childminder which is a long drawn-out process then your sister could claim tax credits for child care but It used to be that relatives could not do this to look after them solely but I don't know if this has changed.

kelloggs36

Can your sister not claim childcare tax credits and pay a childminder?

Loopy_Girl

kelloggs36 wrote: »

Unless she registers as a childminder which is a long drawn-out process then your sister could claim tax credits for child care but It used to be that relatives could not do this to look after them solely but I don't know if this has changed.

No it's not. They can childmind a relative, and get paid via TC for it, but they have to look after other children as well.

To be honest I was a bit stunned by the question!! No one forced the Granny to give up her job...lots of Grandparents help out - because they can - but if you can't afford to then the last thing you do is jack your job in and then expect some kind of payment!

Loopy_Girl

jfwmb88 wrote: »

why doesn't she do this? because she enjoys work and has pride

Well then, she has to rethink her working pattern if she is relying on her Mum for childcare and it is leaving her short.

Or get a childminder

nancyo

If she wanted any sort of payment then your sister would need to pay her - she may be able to get help with this though, search on the government website

Caz3121

nancyo wrote: »

If she wanted any sort of payment then your sister would need to pay her - she may be able to get help with this though, search on the government website

Either the sister can pay her from her own income or, if she wants government help for childcare she can pay a registered childcare provider or the mum can become a registered childcare provider but must also have other children under her care too

jfwmb88

Loopy_Girl wrote: »

No it's not. They can childmind a relative, and get paid via TC for it, but they have to look after other children as well.

To be honest I was a bit stunned by the question!! No one forced the Granny to give up her job...lots of Grandparents help out - because they can - but if you can't afford to then the last thing you do is jack your job in and then expect some kind of payment!

Hi,

Thanks for your answer. There is no expectation of payment. I'm simply asking a question. Maybe I should hace phrased it - if my mum gives up her job can she be a paid minder.

jfwmb88

Also, things change, there was money when my mum gave up her job and now there is not soo much. Really annoying how ppl can be so condesending. I'm just looking at options.