Child Tax Benefit - 1 parent works, other working now but about to be a student

JeffersR

Here's the scenario, we're a married couple, both currently working but wife is due to start full time nursing degree in Sept. We have 2 children. 3 year old currently at nursey, getting child tax relief and free 30 hours. Other child due to start nursey in April, will be able to claim child tax relief when he starts as we're both still working.

What happens in Sept when my wife stops working and start full time study? Child 1 will be starting school so don't have to worry about that one but concern is what happens with tax relief for Child 2, he'll still be 1 and at nursery but from what I understand we won't be able to claim the tax relief because my wife will no longer be working because she's a student?

She should get the £2000 NHS child support payment while studying and £5000 grant for studying nursing and hopefully a maintenance loan but still will be less overall income than when she was working so without the tax relief for nursery payments it seems like a raw deal!

Icequeen1

By tax relief - do you mean tax free childcare? If so, that's correct she won't be entitled as she isn't working. 

andrewmp

Depending on your earnings, you might qualify for help with childcare costs from student finance.  I think you'll need to earn less than about £27k a year to get any help though.