Query re Child Care Element of WTC

Philip624

Our daughter has been offered a place at nursery from the age of 2 1/2. Nursery education is free from 3 years old onwards. Would we be eligible for the child element of WTC to help with the cost of the 6 months, baring in mind there is no obligation for her to go to nursery, my wife works from home so we have no child care costs, and we receive Child Tax Credit. I am sure the answer would be no but I just wondered for sure as the DWP site is not clear.

Sensemaya

Philip

I'm not sure about this. Have you tried the tax credits forum?

sazziecee

I am pretty sure you both need to be working to be able to claim help with childcare costs as they assume that your wife will be providing childcare herself if she isn't at work. If she works from home is she officially self employed? that will count as working but not sure if it needs to be over a certain amount of hours per week. If you are eligible now, then you probably were the whole time she has been working from home.

I was thinking of leaving work as I hate it and we could just about manage, then I realised I wouldn't be able to keep paying for my sons nursery fees if we lost the childcare element. I don't mind looking after him myself of course but he loves it and on the days he only does a half day he sulks cos he wanted to stay for his dinner and then make biscuits with the other kids later :rolleyes:


Sarah

jacksons_mum

http://www.entitledto.com/default.aspx

this site is really good and only takes a few minutes to tell you what you are entitled to