Universal credits and childcare vouchers saved up

poppy12345

Avalanche123 said:

NedS said:

Avalanche123 said:

What refund? TFC can be counted towards savings even though you can use it only towards childcare but childcare vouchers cant? So if you have 5K in TFC or indeed actual money you will receive everything. But if you have money in childcare vouchers you wont get the help? Does that sound fair to you?

You keep making reference to this and I'm confused - or rather I think you may be confused.

The regulations/guidance you quoted on page 1 of this thread are saying that any money you have in a Tax Free Childcare account are counted as capital (savings) that you have, along with cash in your bank accounts / savings accounts / ISAs etc. The is relevant only to the fact that if you have more than £6000 / £16,000 in capital (savings), you will receive less or no UC due to the savings you have. The money in a TFC account can be withdrawn and used for anything, but you will only get the 80% back that you contributed, not the 20% tax relief.

The point here is that you can only get 'help' with childcare costs once, under one scheme. So if you pay using TFC account or childcare vouchers, you have received help towards those by way of tax relief. If you claim help through UC you will receive help by way of UC refunding 85% of the eligible costs. But you can only receive help under one scheme, and which scheme that is will depend upon your circumstances.

I am not confused. Please stop being patronising.

How is it fair then when you STOP claiming TFC and have money left in the account it doesnt count (unless its above 6K together with other savings)?

But you say you cant do the same with the childcare vouchers. Nothing is stoping people to carry on paying of childcare with what is left in their TFC once they start claiming UC.

I don't see anything patronising about neds advice. All i see is you not understand the advice that several members have given through out the thread. You came here for advice but have decided that we are all wrong and you are right.

Why are you referring to TFC when you weren't claiming that. You have child care vouchers which is completely different.

HillStreetBlues

Spoonie_Turtle said:

Yes, because that's what the OP brought up to argue with the advice they were given in response to their original question.  The thread has moved away because that's where the OP took it.

Then I would have thought best pointing OP back to the issue, as this has lead to the confusion some people now have.

EDIT just read the post above

poppy12345 said:

Why are you referring to TFC when you weren't claiming that. You have child care vouchers which is completely different.

calcotti

Avalanche123 said:

 TFC can be counted towards savings even though you can use it only towards childcare ,.

TFC counts towards savings because money can be withdrawn from a TFC for purposes other than childcare (although the top up then has to be paid back).

calcotti

HillStreetBlues said:

Talking about Tax Free Childcare account and capital has taken the thread away from the issue the OP has.

It’s the OP who keeps focusing on TFC although it has no relevance to their situation.

As I understand it, they are considering their UC entitlement to UC and are aggrieved that UC will not allow them to receive childcare payments for fees OP pays for with their vouchers. Their maximum
UC entitlement will still include all the other relevant elements and will include support for any childcare costs OP pays for without vouchers.
The vouchers do not count towards OP’s capital (because they can’t be used for anything other than childcare).

sheramber

I think the OP wants to claim full UC- whatever amount she thinks that will be- and also use the child care vouchers to pay for the childcare  costs but UC  will   also pay her for her childcare  costs.

She seems to think think that by having vouchers she is getting that amount deducted from her UC ( when she claims it)

OP   If that is not what you mean can you tell us simply what you think should happen? Who should pay what?