Mature student, no childcare assistance!

Shellsbells-x

Hi!
I'm new to the forum and to childcare. My little girl is due in less than 2 weeks.

Apologies for the length and disorganisation of this thread....

I am a mature student studying for a healthcare degree. I receive NHS funding for my course and am hoping to return to my second year in September, leaving my little girl in nursery.

My partner works full time, earning 24K

As my course is covered by the NHS, I am not eligible to apply for childcare assistance with student finance. Instead I must apply with NHS bursaries.

Unfortunately their criteria is strict. They will only deduct tax, NI and mortgage payments from my partner's income. As this leaves us with more than £7300 a year (the cost of childcare) we are deemed as having enough money to pay for childcare so we aren't entitled to any help.

I'm hoping someone knows of a loophole in the system? As I cannot for a second understand why we can't claim the childcare element of tax credits?

Just because one of us isn't working it doesn't mean I am sat on my back side at home! I would be at university for 4 days a week, on a full time course which expects around 60 hours per week of home study!

Can some one please give me some hope that the government recognise this somewhere As they seem to ignore students completely!

I was lucky to discover I was pregnant during my summer break, as I was working full time. If I started my job 1 week later I would have had no money coming in at all, as I wouldn't have worked the qualifying weeks for statutory maternity allowance (Due to studying for a degree to better myself). Neither would I be entitled to benefits (which I have never claimed anyway)

And yes, I understand that having a baby mid degree might not sound responsible, but after 4 years of trying, and an upcoming referral for IVF, which we would have planned around my degree, it happened naturally xx

Thanks for making it to the end, any help much appreciated

Shellsbells-x

It's so frustrating that's it has to be so black and white! If I could apply with student finance I'd qualify, but I don't with the NHS so it's like I don't exist 😐
and of course tax credits are a no because of an assumption that I'll be at home.

It just feels like nothing has been designed around real people, just tick box categories!

Spendless

Tax credits doesn't help with childcare if one of you is studying. Can your partner claim childcare vouchers from hsi workplace instead. This is how we funded childcre costs when I returned to college.

Shellsbells-x

Thanks, we're just looking into this now, but due to his shifts he won't be back at work until Thursday.

I believe vouchers offer some kind of tax saving, and every little helps!

clairec79

The only way to get help from the tax credits is for you to do part time work on top of your degree, then you can claim for money towards all your childcare not just childcare for the period of time you are working

It is tough but it is possible (but will likely strain your family life and impact on the degree classification you get)

Sncjw

Contact nhs bursary they have a facebook page and could help you