Unused childcare voucher

whoops24

I've got just under £250 in unused childcare vouchers which were unwanted - my employer was unable to process my request to stop the scheme in a timely manner with the August payroll and has said that they don't issue refunds. I don't think I can use this amount of childcare in the time available - what are my options? Would I be able to pay for a family member's childcare, for example? Any help welcome - thanks.

FatVonD

I had the same problem 5 years ago, I ended up donating mine to the primary school my son attended for just 6 weeks before starting high school when we moved house. (Because they were brilliant and did everything they could to make him feel welcome.)

Do you know any child minders who might take them off your hands (less what they'd be taxed on them, of course.)

onlyroz

Can you use them for holiday clubs or after school clubs? That's what I use mine for, now both my kids are at school.

amus

If you can't use them in any of the other ways suggested, I'm pretty sure there are no restrictions on who you pay them to/the child you use them for so don't see why you wouldn't be able to use them for a family member if they were willing to buy them off you or if you wanted to donate them.

rpc

amus wrote: »

I'm pretty sure there are no restrictions on who you pay them to/the child you use them for

They must be for a child you have PR for.

amus

rpc wrote: »

They must be for a child you have PR for.

Hmm didn't know that. Would be pretty difficult to monitor though IMO.

JimmyTheWig

onlyroz wrote: »

Can you use them for holiday clubs or after school clubs? That's what I use mine for, now both my kids are at school.

This sounds reasonable. Even if you don't _need_ the childcare you could at least use them in this way.

Do the vouchers expire?

onlyroz

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

This sounds reasonable. Even if you don't _need_ the childcare you could at least use them in this way.

Do the vouchers expire?

I think this depends on the voucher supplier. The below is from the Edenred website:

Can I accumulate vouchers if I am not paying for childcare at the moment?
Electronic vouchers may be accumulated indefinitely and may be used to pay for childcare at any point in the future. Paper vouchers are valid for one year.

iwilldoitthistime

Were you given a reason why they couldn't refund? I had this problem and it wasn't any problem to do so - they appeared on my pay statement the next month

pinkladyof66

i have had to work out exactly to the pound what i will spend as it is hard to estimate and i didnt want to end up with some at the end i also think you cannot use them you cannot cash them in nor can you use for any ones child care unless you know someone who is close who is a childminder you could pay and they pay you cash (less tax). otherwise like the other lady who posted maybe you will just have to donate or try and book up some school holiday clubs. unless your child is 16 in which case childcare vouchers stop unless your child is disabled.

izoomzoom

Are you sure the childcare voucher company wont refund you? I know many of them do refunds, although they are quite timely to effect. check what the rules of your company policy is with regards - does it specifically say no refunds?