Financial help to cover childcare while im recovering from surgery?

andi1975

Does anyone know if there is any benefit/fund i can claim from to help pay for someone to look after my 3.5year old twins while I am recovering from an operation? I am expected to be out of action for 6 weeks and unable to do anything but as im the primary carer, while my husband works, i need help getting them dressed, taking them to nursery, picking up, everything basically and im really struggling to find anything when trawling benefit sites. We dont currently claim anything other than child benefit so any advice appreciated :-) Just dont know where to start!

themull1

I dont think so, do you normally work/claim benefits? could your husband not get them dressed and to nursery?

princessdon

Speak to your HV - They can advise on help for the duration - you will probably need to complete a CAF detailing your needs.

sulkisu

I wouldn't have thought it likely. OH may just have to juggle the kids, nursery and work for those six weeks. It might be worth him checking with his employers - he might be entitled to additional leave. Or they might let him work flexibly for the time.

welshmoneylover

andi1975 wrote: »

Does anyone know if there is any benefit/fund i can claim from to help pay for someone to look after my 3.5year old twins while I am recovering from an operation? I am expected to be out of action for 6 weeks and unable to do anything but as im the primary carer, while my husband works, i need help getting them dressed, taking them to nursery, picking up, everything basically and im really struggling to find anything when trawling benefit sites. We dont currently claim anything other than child benefit so any advice appreciated :-) Just dont know where to start!

Do you have any savings to fall back on in times of emergency?

I don't think you can expect the tax payer to pay for your childrens' care.

enabledebra

welshmoneylover wrote: »

Do you have any savings to fall back on in times of emergency?

I don't think you can expect the tax payer to pay for your childrens' care.

Helpful? how?

enabledebra

http://www.pals.nhs.uk/ You ask this organisation for information about how your care needs whilst recovering after discharge can be considered. This can include considering the needs of those you usually care for.

kingfisherblue

Do you have a branch of Homestart near you? They may be able to provide a trained volunteer top help with the children

http://www.home-start.org.uk/homepage

cutestkids

Hi do you have a friend or neighbour that could help you out at all.

Have you got a few weeks until you have the surgery to try and get a bit of a support network in place with family friends etc.

Also with the children try and get them as independant as you can with regards to getting themselves dressed etc to ease the amount you physically have to do for them.

Try even contacting the nursery they may be able to help or at least point you in the right direction.

princessdon

As I said - Speak to your Health Visitor

It won't be "financial help" but for Eg is your twins are at school nursery and it has wrap around/Out Of Schools they can apply for support. They can look at childcare that you may pay a small or no contribution to.

Give them a ring on Monday

andi1975

Thank you all for your responses. Unfortunately our savings all went last year when my hubby was out of work for a little while after being made redundant! He normally leaves home at 6am and doesnt get home till about 6pm so him taking the girls to nursery isnt an option He already has the week of my op (which i have already postponed for the last 18 months but the consultant says i cant put off any longer) off work and get cant get any longer.

I already have been in contact with Homestart but they can only offer me a few hours help a week due to the demands on their services and I have a meeting booked on Tuesday with the head of the girls nursery to see if they can do any additional sessions temporarily.

I will look into the PALS thing though, thank you :-)

What is the CAF thingy that was mentioned?