claiming mileage a month behind...can I be more savvy?

darcy87

Hi,

I work for the local government, I pay out a couple of hundered per month in travel but have to wait for the next month to have it reinbursed and sometimes this can be up to £500 in mileage per month, Currently I am able to manage to pay this as I have a free overdraft which acts as my buffer, but that will soon be coming to an end.

Are there any savvy ways off getting past this???? So I wont be charged by my bank for the use of an overdraft.

I have considered getting a 0% interest credit card, but I realise I would need to be on top of this all the time as it will be for a time limited period.

Any tips or advice would be great.

Thanks

Yorkie1

Have you double checked whether there is a temporary or permanent imprest facility on your T&S system?

This is where employees are given money up front in anticipation of expenses. Temp = one off or ad hoc; perm = regular.

Your employer should not be putting you in a position where your personal financial situation is jeopardised by work expenditure.

Also, is there no way you can submit expenses more frequently than 1 per month?

Are you in a union? Have you checked what your employer's T&S policy says?

ohreally

Tell them to supply a fuel card (http://www.fuelgenie.co.uk/info/homepage.aspx), if they refuse what would happen if you withdraw use of your personal car (i assume it's not on a lease agreement).

getmore4less

Why do you have to be on top of the CC?

just use it for expenses, and pay off in full when they are paid.

if timing becomes an issue get multiple cards due on different dates.

darcy87

Yes it was part of the job description that a car would be required and used frequently.

Thank you for these replies. I was not aware of a fuel card.

I guess I was worried about a credit card just because I cant estimate my use, but I guess by the time Im reimbursed the bill will have arrived.

Thanks again for your time and help!

CKhalvashi

It may also be worth looking to see if you have been paid at 45p for first 10000 miles, and 25p after this.

If not, you may well be due some tax back, which should be paid before your overdraft comes to an end.

CK

LittleVoice

darcy87 wrote: »

Hi,
I have considered getting a 0% interest credit card, but I realise I would need to be on top of this all the time as it will be for a time limited period.

All credit cards are 0% interest for ever - as long as you pay them off in full each month. Just avoid getting one with an annual fee.

Check which will offer cash back on spending on fuel - eg Luma pays 4% cashback (on an annual basis) on up to £225 spend in any month. The Luma card could be good for you as you don't have a CC currently - but you would need to make sure it was the cash back card you applied for.

Just seen that you put the same post in the CC board and have had even more answers there so probably no more posts are needed in this thread.

Takeaway_Addict

Get a credit card purely for fuel spend, this way you know exactly what you need to pay the following month and as mentioned, get a cashback one.

marybelle01

The other thing to look at is dates! Expenses claims usually have a cut off date - submit after that date and you have to wait (often up to six weeks) for the next payroll date. But it may be as little as two weeks if your claim goes in on the right date.


From time to time I work for local government, and I have found that dates are terribly important. Get paid on 16th? Like half the country (or more). Your expenses claim form has to be in by XX date (around my area, usually 28th) and you get it paid on 16th of the next month. One day late and it is the 16th of the month after!