Redundancy Before Mat Leave - Free Childcare Hours

[IAmAnIdiot123]

Hi Everyone

Posting here for traffic as I am suddenly in panic mode and HMRC closed at 6.

I am being made redundant 30th June but was originally due to start mat leave on 21st July. The company still have to pay my mat leave so I will still pay equivalent tax/NI that I would have paid had I not been made redundant.

Will I lose 15 hours childcare for my 3 year old because I won't be in employment, despite being paid the same for that 9 months that I would have anyway?

Going down a Google spiral, please can someone explain what will happen to the childcare hours for my current child?

Can I ask what the outcome of this was?

I’m in a very similar situation. Baby due November. Being made redundant. Have reached an agreement where I’ll work until end of September and then get SMP as a lump sum to see me through. My son turned 3 in May so he’s due his 30 hours from September, plus we currently get tax free childcare and I could really do with not losing both of those because of my redundancy. I’m hoping I’m classed as being on maternity leave and thus can continue to get tax free childcare and the 30hrs, at least until the SMP period is over, as I obviously can’t return to work straight away due my newborn 😭

Hello OP, I have just come across your post and in the same position. Fun Times! I hope everything worked out for you.

I wondered what happened with your 30 free hours and tax free childcare. Have you still be entitled to it on maternity leave? Also finding it IMPOSSIBLE to find out.

Thanks 😊

But surely if your not at work then you won’t need a childminder

Hi!

So I have good news! I called them up and explained my situation - being made redundant and getting paid my full stat mat leave. Do I lose my 30hrs funding AND my tax free childcare because I’m unemployed? But I can’t get a job because I’ll forfeit my mat leave. They said that they still class me as employed until my mat leave ends. They made a note on my account, but whenever I go to renew I select the mat leave box and it’s all good. Still got my funding :)

Obviously everyone’s situation may be different, so I’d advise calling them up to clarify. But i
think you’ll be good!

Well, aren’t you lovely. There’s no mention of a childminder, this is about my son going to preschool which is a hugely valuable resource for his education and socialising. Thank you for your kindness at a time where I’m a struggling parent, who’s just been made redundant, having impacted my mental health issues and soon to have my third child.

But if I have to explain that to you, I’m not sure what you’re doing on mumsnet.

Thank you so much for replying. That’s fantastic news! I want to get my son into the preschool of his future primary school so that’s music to my ears. As if being made redundant at 6 months pregnant isn’t hard enough, knowing it won’t impact him would be so nice.Like you say, otherwise it’s being penalised for being pregnant as we can’t go and look for another job!

Let’s hope it’s the same for me 😊