30 hrs, income changed

[MrsSiba]

Recently tried to reconfirm my code for the 3 month reconfirmation.

My DH recently left his job and I am on mat leave getting SMP. We get 30 free hours for DD.

I have received an email saying they need to discuss DH's income for the next 3 months. I'm panicking because I m not sure what this means.

DH is looking for employment and hopes to be in a job ASAP and certainly within 3 months.

Can they stop the funding? Is there a grace period if income changes?

The grace period is 4 weeks (presumably to allow you to give notice to the setting).

Why are you panicking? If you’re both currently at home, you can increase her hours again when you’re both working.

If you are ineligible now due to your DH earning less than the equivalent of 16 hours, then your grace period runs to the 31st August. They won't stop funding for this term.

Depends if the code has renewed in time for this term- I’ve assumed not but maybe op can clarify? (Our hub for this term has only just opened for claims)

If the OP renewed and got ineligible after Feb half term, grace period will run until 31st August.

Thanks for all replies. I've been reading about the grace period but still not too clear.

DH left job mid March.

Reconfirm date was 17 April which I stupidly missed and tried to reconfirm yesterday 24 April.

I think have period runs to 31 August so did that mean they will find until then? And DH basically needs to get a job by audit date 27 May?

It might be worth discussing things with your childcare provider. Not sure what your local situation is, but in my area there are long waiting lists, and if you reduced your hours you could wait 18 months before the opportunity arose to increase them again. I’d want to find out what my options were in advance iiwy.

Yes you'd still get the funded place until 31st August. Not sure when the deadline would be to get your new code for September, you might need to check that with your local council.

Thanks all. I rang them this morning and explained DH is looking for employment. They were very reasonable and immediately said they would leave the claim as pending so as not to lose the nursery place and to call them back in 3 weeks with an update. They also said that in those 3 weeks if things might take longer to get a start date due a new job they would review and potentially give a bit more time.

I am relieved and pleased they have dealt with this pragmatically. 😀