Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Problem applying for 30 hours free childcare.

40 replies

Ajcraptor · 11/07/2017 14:14

Is anyone else having a problem applying for the 30 hours free childcare from HMRC?
I got an email from them last Thursday and applied in the Friday (7th July)
I am still waiting for an eligibility code!, I have phoned HMRC and they say it can take 15 working days.
My childcare provider needs to apply for the hours with this code THIS week or we wont get the free time.
So HMRC are offering the 30 hours but making it impossible (for me) to apply for.

Is anyone else having a similar problem??

Alex

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Buddyelf · 11/07/2017 14:23

Hi just wanted to say a few mums at school are also having problems with it. I registered at 8am on Sunday morning and got the code straight away. Keep chasing it up and keep checking the message inbox on your gov login - hope you manage to get it sorted.

MJG12 · 12/07/2017 23:50

Hi Alex,
I am in the same situation. I got the email saying the service was available and applied online on Wednesday 5 July in the evening, expecting to receive my code immediately as all other parents have, sadly I didn't. I am still waiting! There was a few times where I checked the website and it was down due to "technical difficulties" so I assumed it was just in high demand with a lot of applications and thought it would take a couple of days and I would receive the code. I called the helpline who just said that it was taking up to 10 working days and called again yesterday and was told it was now taking up to 15 working days as the demand was very high. I was told that they were still dealing with the June applications. I explained that all other parents received the code immediately and was told they were just lucky (which seems odd as the majority of people are receiving the codes immediately).

My nursery is also stressing me for the code and said if I don't provide it this week then I won't be able to secure the free place. I explained this to the helpline who said that all nurseries are aware it is taking a few weeks and should be accommodating.

Really stressful especially when I know we meet all the criteria so it really should have been a straightforward application,or so I thought!

Please keep this thread updated if you receive any news.

Puffthemagicdragongoestobed · 12/07/2017 23:54

I also had a technical problem 2 weeks ago where they said it would take 2 weeks to fix. I only managed to submit the application this evening but didn't receive a code straight away. Very concerned now.

Original poster

Ajcraptor · 13/07/2017 16:56

Still nothing from HMRC but at least their website is not 'being maintained' today!
Its CRAZY that the Government offer 30 hours and then make so hard to claim it!
I'm tempted to make another application through my wifes name (but this might void my application) but after tomorrow i have nothing to lose!
Out of interest were the people having problems trying to keep childcare vouchers as well?
I am but for my younger child only.

OP posts:

Xmasbaby11 · 13/07/2017 16:58

I applied about 2 months ago and got the code straight away.

We also use both sets of childcare vouchers.

We needed it ages ago so I'm shocked it's still being delayed.

MrsHathaway · 13/07/2017 17:00

The website has been massively overloaded. When I rang the dedicated HMRC line they were able to give me the code over the phone which I then put on the form from preschool.

"There is a special department at HMRC dealing with this and their queries line is 0300 123 4097. They'll ask you for details like your National Insurance number and the name of the child you're claiming for, but then they can tell you the status of your claim."

Is it exactly that number you've been ringing?

MJG12 · 13/07/2017 19:50

Hi,

I don't use any childcare vouchers at all.

Yes that's the number I have been ringing and they would not even look at my claim as they said I had only just applied and I had to wait 15 working days before they can push anything along. I called on 2 seperate occassions too and given same information.

I still have not heard anything. I've even tried logging into my account just to be shown the same message that my application is being considered.

Really not sure what the hold up is. I wouldn't mind but there is no reason why we should not get it so it's making me even more uneasy with why it's taking so long.

Every day I feel hopeful it will arrive but now it just feels like it will never come!

MJG12 · 13/07/2017 19:50

MrsH did you receive an email is that why you called up the dedicated line?

MrsHathaway · 13/07/2017 19:56

I rang because I hadn't received anything at all and couldn't log on (time out or system glitch or something). I was just ringing to query the progress but she said it had all gone through fine and here's your reference number.

I've still not had an email

MJG12 · 13/07/2017 20:19

Was this recently?

That's really odd how they wouldn't check for me. The second time I called I was on hold waiting to get through for ages so the demand must be high and I was told the computers had gone down too!

Alex have they been helpful when you called? Did they check the status of your application or tell you anything as to what stage you were at?

bunningsbunny · 13/07/2017 20:29

Might be worth talking to your mp - they can sometimes be good st speeding things up or getting deadlines extended!

MrsHathaway · 13/07/2017 22:03

Er, a couple of weeks ago iirc. Several of us at preschool all tried it and got our codes through.

toomuchfaster · 13/07/2017 22:10

We are delayed anyway as DH starts his new job on 1st September, really hoping this won't cause us delay issues!!

Fitzsimmons · 13/07/2017 22:13

I applied for tax free child care on the same system and got given a code for 30 hours childcare for my DS who starts school in September and isn't even eligible

MrsHathaway · 13/07/2017 22:15

I'm told it's termly and if the setting doesn't make the claim by 31/8 you will get only the universal 15h and not the additional part until January. Talk to your setting!

Snap8TheCat · 13/07/2017 22:18

Yes any changes from 1/9 onwards will mean you are eligible from January.

Snap8TheCat · 13/07/2017 22:19

Fitz- presuming your DS is still four then he could be eligible if you were to delay his school start for any reason.

MJG12 · 15/07/2017 11:55

Good morning,

So I called the helpline for the third time today. Was put on hold several times transferred to different departments as I asked them to check the status as it had been 10 days. The person checked and said I was eligible and here's my code!!!! So I asked when was it issued and was told 10 days ago, so pretty much immediately. I then told them how I called up twice and no one would check as 10 days had not passed. I also said that I had checked online and it's still showing as "being considered" I was told that they are experiencing difficulties and they apologised.

I would stress to anyone that is still waiting to call up and insist on them checking. Maybe call at the weekend as the week day staff for me (well the 2 guys I spoke to) were not willing to check.

Good luck all! Xxx

MrsHathaway · 15/07/2017 12:05

Hurrah! Now get your paperwork in!

Fwiw I FINALLY managed to log in online and it informed me I'd have to update my information every three months. Since I applied in May (for September) that means I'll have to update in August and who knows if the code will then be different. Will preschool need the new code for September if it changes? They'll already have submitted their paperwork by then

This is a mess.

MJG12 · 15/07/2017 13:33

I thought the code was valid from 1 Sept to 31 December and you had to renew it before the end of that term for the the start of January's term. How can they expect you to renew it already when you haven't even used it yet.

All my paperwork was in, just the code was missing off the form so just emailed the provider the code. I can relax now. Let's hope it's straight forward when we have renew every 3 months!

MrsHathaway · 15/07/2017 13:38

I really hope so. But yes my update date is 9 August

I'm hoping I'll just have to make a declaration that nothing has changed. Which it won't have (touch wood).

MJG12 · 15/07/2017 14:15

Fingers crossed. Keep us posted how you get on.

I'm sure I read you just tick a box if nothing has changed. Let's hope in reality it is that simple.

MrsHathaway · 15/07/2017 14:20

Thank you.

If we've learned anything about the 30h provision it's that nothing about it is simple

HSMMaCM · 16/07/2017 11:50

The codes last 3 months. You will have a valid from and to date and you are supposed to get a reminder to renew it (but we have yet to see if that system works). There is a rush on, because term time only settings have to validate the codes before the end of term. Settings that are open all year can do them in August.

VoodooChimp · 16/07/2017 12:20

Your code doesn't change when you reconfirm your eligibility. At least mine hasn't (I applied early and just reconfirmed today).

Flip

1 2