Au Pair and finances

Erinnire

Hi,

I am going to uni full time in September and for the life of me cannot organise suitable childcare. So I think I am going to need an Au Pair.

I currently under occupy my house by 1 bedroom so pay a portion of my benefits to cover the shortfall.

I was wondering if anyone could guide me to working out what happens to my housing and council tax when I have an Au pair. I tried speaking to the council but the lady wasn't sure it's not something she has come across before & the housing people are busy.

Basically I will give the Au pair £60 a week pocket money & I think she will be classed as a non dependent?


If I am a student I do not pay council tax but assume I will have to pay 75% of the cost if I have an Au pair?

Can I claim LHA or CTB as a full time student anyway? and if I can what is taken into account with the Au pair?

I am a little worried about being able to afford everything on student finance on my own but short term pain long term gain and all that!

Thanks

RAS

If you are going to be claiming for child care via your student loan or CTB, you need to check urgently whether an aupair meets the legal defination of approved child care.

I have a nasty feeling s/he will not. And I think this is not now a recognised visa status so you could be restricted as to which countries they came from and possibly minimum wage legislation.

Erinnire

RAS wrote: »

If you are going to be claiming for child care via your student loan or CTB, you need to check urgently whether an aupair meets the legal defination of approved child care.

I have a nasty feeling s/he will not. And I think this is not now a recognised visa status so you could be restricted as to which countries they came from and possibly minimum wage legislation.

Thanks RAS I won't be claiming Childcare for the Au pair as she would not be Ofsted registered.

My daughters have childcare now but it is not flexible enough for my timetable, but because the CCG only covers 85% of the costs anyway it will cost me about the same £60 a week to have the au pair as it would for the current inflexible childcare.

I am mainly worry about having to pay 75% of the council tax on top of the Au pairs pocket money. My budget will be pretty stretched as it is but if that is the case I am sure I will make do somehow

Dunroamin

Will you be having any other care for you and your children apart from the au pair?

bryanb

I trust you've read the rules around what you can expect of an au pair?

FBaby

Did you take into consideration the additional costs that will come with having an au pair, such as food, extra use of utilities, transport costs, medical supplies if required. Will she be looking after your child full-time, or only around school hours?

Erinnire

Hi,
I am aware of the rules of using an Au pair, I grew up with them in our household.

I will be using a nursery/preschool for my child for the 15 free hours and I hope to fir those hours around finding suitable English courses for the Au pair if that is what they wish to do. (Ours always did)

Other than that all I am looking for is getting the children up, ready and off to school, home from school & nursery fitted around my timetable and looked after in the afternoons/evenings when I have late lectures.

During the time the children are out of the house, whether I am in or not she would be free to do as she pleases.

I would leave them with 2-3 days 'off' a week, at least one day being the weekend, generally both days though.

I have thought about the additional costs, I don't think my water bill would increase but I have to make an allowance for the increased gas & electric. There is also the bus pass so she can get about as we live in a village (no car would be required to transport the children) & a topped up mobile phone so we can stay in touch.

Four weeks paid 'holiday' and payment towards flights home when she wants to go home for a while.

There is also the increased cost of going on holiday if she wishes to join us, as she would always be invited but this isn't something I would force if she would rather have the house to herself.

I do receive care but would not expect her to provide any care for me, I have DLA to source my own care needs.

pmlindyloo

If you receive DLA (care component) then you would not have a deduction made from your HB and CTB for a non dependent.

Dunroamin

I have to say that sole care of two young children when the lone parent is severely disabled herself, seems a lot of responsibility for a young person in a foreign country particularly when only being paid £60 per week.

Erinnire

Dunroamin wrote: »

I have to say that sole care of two young children when the lone parent is severely disabled herself, seems a lot of responsibility for a young person in a foreign country particularly when only being paid £60 per week.

I see your point i really do. but I think you are misjudging my situation. My children's father is very involved. But he is also a student with evening lectures. There is no sole care involved I am their sole carer. Yes I have disabilites but if I couldnt manage just as well as any other parent then my children would be in care. I don't need any more support from an au pair than any other family.

Thanks for all the help.

[Deleted User]

wouldnt you have to pay the au pair NMW?and not spending money?