Help with Childcare costs?

V_Debt

Ok so this is my situation..

Im currently doing my HGV training and should have my license on Wednesday.

I live with my girlfriend and 9 month old son, my gf is going back to work after maternity leave the day after my test, therefor Im going to have to look after my son while she's at work.

I want to get back into work and take advantage of my license ASAP as I dont want to get rusty with the driving and want to start earning some decent money.

We're both not from the town that we're living in so dont really know anyone that could look after our son if we were both go be working.

With me just getting my license, I wont be able to get a full time job straight away as I wont have any experience. Ill need to build that up working with agencies, which may be a call to say "Can you work for us for a couple of days starting tomorrow?" Basically I would have to be available for work 24/7, so I have no idea what to do and if we're entitled to any help should we decide to get someone to mind our baby for a while?

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

Danny

Caz3121

you both need to be working 16 hours per week each to qualify for childcare help through tax credits. If you meet this you may find it difficult to find childcare that meets your flexibility requirements, were you looking at nursery, childminder?

V_Debt

I think a childminder sounds better.

Thats our problem, the whole thing seems so complicated and no one seems to have any answers for us, I cant imagine anyone will either tbh.

The fact that I havent got set hours, its going to be hard for anyone to say well you can have x amount towards childcare costs as it will differ week to week.

The fact that I wont have set hours or a full time job, also how can anyone say OK you can have some help towards costs as I dont technically have a job?

It all just feels like a big dilemna that no one seems to have any answers as to how to move forward.

Newly_retired

Is you OH going back to work full time? She should qualify for Child Tax credits and may qualify for working Tax credits herself and that can include childcare costs. Does her workplace offer any help eg childcare vouchers, creche?

karenx

The only way they will get the childcare element is if both parents are working at least 16hours per week
So unless the girlfriends employer does childcare vouchers then theres no help till both are working

V_Debt

we get child tax credits at the moment, just unsure about the childcare side of things.

Im assuming the inland revenue are the people to talk to regarding this?

karenx

V_Debt wrote: »

we get child tax credits at the moment, just unsure about the childcare side of things.

Im assuming the inland revenue are the people to talk to regarding this?

Its already been said, to claim the childcare element BOTH parents need to be working at least 16 hours per week

V_Debt

yes, I can read thanks lol

my question was, if we were both to be working 16 hours + per week, would the inland revenue be the people to contact

also does anyone know how the childcare element is calculated?

Caz3121

V_Debt wrote: »

yes, I can read thanks lol

my question was, if we were both to be working 16 hours + per week, would the inland revenue be the people to contact

also does anyone know how the childcare element is calculated?

It would be part of your child tax credits claim - they will pay up to 80% (dropping to up to 70%) and there is a limit to the cost - and will depend on your income