To draw your attention to closure of childcare vouchers scheme

[Rainatnight]

The existing childcare vouchers scheme is closing to new entrants. The replacement scheme will be less beneficial for some people. If you want in to the old one, you need to act now, because your employer needs to process it in time for April.

This is particularly relevant to new parents. I'm on mat leave at the moment, but my employer is letting me 'buy in' to the old scheme with a nominal sum, just so I can get in under the wire.

This explainer from Money Saving Expert is very helpful in deciding which is the best scheme for you.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/family/2018/02/want-childcare-vouchers-apply-now-to-make-sure-you-beat-the-april-deadline

[missiondecision]

It’s being replaced with a tax free childcare scheme.

[Rainatnight]

Yes it is, which is less advantageous for some people. The MSE link explains the differences.

[DSHathawaysLover]

Rain this has been on the cards and well known for a few years, the demise of childcare vouchers has already been pushed back a couple of times. It's a done deal I'm afraid. Sooner or later, all childcare voucher schemes will also close to existing members.

[MyDcAreMarvel]

Yes it's been on the cards for years but now it's happening.
Childcare vouchers are better for the majority, they can be also used in conjunction with tax credits ( after the maximum ).

[Rainatnight]

Sigh. DSHathaways it's not well know to everyone. If you're a new parent, and not using childcare previously, you mightn't have been on the lookout for the changes. And I know it's a done deal. I was just flagging it to others who might not have known.

[honeylulu]

You can still use childcare vouchers if you earn over 100k. That's not true for tax free childcare scheme or 30 free hours so for high earners that's an important difference.

[MyDcAreMarvel]

If you earn over 100k you should not be receiving subsidised childcare.

[Nicknacky]

Isn't it just tax free rather than subsidised? Childcare vouchers is the only assistance we have with paying for childcare.

[restingbemusedface]

Late train

[Snausage]

Says who, MyDcAreMarvel? If someone is eligible, they're eligible, even if you don't think so.

[honeylulu]

If you earn over 100k you should not be receiving subsidised childcare.

Why not? I also use the NHS and send my children to state school. Should I not do that either?

[Rainatnight]

honey if you earn over £100k, you can continue to use vouchers if you're already in a scheme. If you're not, then the scheme will be closed to you from April and you won't be eligible for the new one.

[Bodicea]

Why not mydcaremarvel?

If you earn over £100k you already pay a significant amount of tax and don’t get child benefit. Why should every little perk be taken off you?

This attitude annoys me in this country. The more tax you pay the less people think you should get. Everything is means tested . You end up with lots of cliff edge problems where there is no benefit in getting a raise.

All tax payers should benefit. That is the attitude in most European countries. ie in Germany they get wrap around childcare no matter how much you earn. Everyone pays in, everyone gets out, everyone goes back to work.

[TooStressyForMyOwnGood]

YANBU at all to publicise it. Lots of people don’t know about this.

[honeylulu]

Thanks Rainatnight I am in a voucher scheme already. I'm chasing my husband to join his work scheme before the deadline - this thread reminded me to remind him!

[toddlermom]

Thanks for this op!! Good to know!!

[Rainatnight]

Cheers! That's why I wanted to post.

[ScarlettInSpace]

Unfortunately it’s already too late

I looked into this yesterday, and to qualify (at least with my employers scheme) you have to have registered by the end of February so they can process a payment at the end of March.

Frustratingly I needed my daughters birth certificate to register for the voucher scheme but we could only get an appt at the registry office today so we’ve missed it

[Rainatnight]

Oh no! My work are saying they can still do it.

[Nicknacky]

Is this for all schemes? One of my colleagues was looking at joining edenred soon?

[Stealthtoast]

Does anyone know: what happens to childcare vouchers in your account when you switch to tax free childcare - can you still spend them?
For tax free childcare, can we start paying into it now to build up credit for future child care costs? Does it ask what your current childcare costs are when you apply and do you have to provide evidence? is there a time limit for spending it? the government website is no help on any of that...

[MyDcAreMarvel]

Nick- yes for all schemes
Stealth- nothing happens to your vouchers you can continue to spend them.

[Nicknacky]

Thanks, will let him know if he doesn’t already.

[SimplyJaded]

I'm so pissed off about the end to new joiners.

Dh has just been made redundant...and by the time he gets a new job the scheme will have closed

Yanbu though op, plenty of people are still not aware.

[daisybrown37]

You have to be in receipt of vouchers before April - therefore depending on pay dates you need to sign up ASAP. We pay on the last working day so most of our employees have until 13th March to apply, but others who get paid sooner will have to join very soon.