I can't afford the initial two weeks childcare costs.

[MihaliZacharias86]

Good afternoon/Evening Guys.

I spoke to HMRC yesterday and they say they will pay up to 70% of my childcare as long as it's under £300 per month.

Problem is I can't afford the initial 30% for the first two weeks until I get my first weeks pay!

Does anybody know of anywhere I might be able to get help, Loans for bad credit, Help from HMRC, Job-Centre Ect?

I would try to claim as soon as you are able, which may be before you start work. This might help: www.litrg.org.uk/tax-guides/help-towards-costs-childcare/universal-credit/who-can-claim-childcare-element-universal

Budgeting Loan from Job Centre perhaps: www.gov.uk/budgeting-help-benefits/how-to-claim

www.cpag.org.uk/sites/default/files/CPAG-scot-factsheet-childcare-May-2017.pdf

If you are currently in receipt of benefits then ask the job centre.

Many
Many
Thanks guys.

The first thread should help me out considerably, I'm due at the job-centre next week so will try and clear things up a little better for myself.

New to this single parenting.

To be fair you may find yourself having to cover the full cost for the first few weeks. Most childcare providers charge in advance and tax credits take a while to catch up. Sorry

Ask about the full cost as pp said it would be rare to find someone willing to take the risk of late payments.

Tax credits take around three weeks to catch up I was told by HMRC.

In regards to child carers not wanting to risk late payments, I'm sure so long as I have enough money to cover two weeks of childcare amounting to around £500 I can take the first job I can find and pay myself after I'm paid my week in hand.

What about distant relatives? 5 relatives x £100 = £500, repaying at different schedules so you don't have to cough up the entire amount at once.

HMRC say they will give 70% towards childcare every week, The carers need to be registered as childminders for me to get that discount.

I would rather not have to put all of that money into others peoples hands without having an invoice that I can put on a tax return towards the end of the tax year.

I've had a bag of bums telling me I'll be better off on benefits, I've done my calculations and I'm my kids are better off with me in work.

They need luxuries! I don't want them feeling as if we're struggling all of the time.

By the sound of it you need an amount of money upfront to cover your going back to work expenses. Please avoid using a payday lender. See if you can get anything via Job Centre, see if you can find any family memebers and/or friends who could loan you the money. If you really have to, see if you existing bank would do a small loan at a low rate (avoid using Overdraft as that tends to be higher rate due to daily charges).

Different childcare providers will have different requirements regarding paying of fees upfront. So shop around if you can. Your local Family Information Service will have a list of Registered Childminders and Nurseries.

I've done my calculations and I'm my kids are better off with me in work. They need luxuries!

I agree that you being in work is better long term. I disagree that your children need luxuries. They need security - they need to know there will be food in their belly, a roof over their head, no debt collectors hammering on the door, weather suitable clothes.

You need to work so you can build up an emergency fund, pay off debts and never use debt again. It won't be easy, it won't involve the children having luxuries but after a few years then it may be the case that they do get luxuries as once you are debt free and earning enough to cover above and beyond your needs, then you can save towards those luxuries. Lots of advice available about doing that over in the Money Matters and Credit Crunch sections of Mumsnet.

Maybe there is a local organisation that gives grants to single parents going back to work. Try looking via this search system: www.gingerbread.org.uk/information/managing-money-and-debt/turn2us-grants-search/