30 hours funding

[BubbledMama88]

I understand you need to be working 16 hours a week at minimum wage to be eligible.

I work 6.5 hour shifts, I work 2 shifts one week then 3 shifts the following so over the month it averages out.

Last month I was poorly and had to take a week off and the following week I had to leave early to pick up my poorly little one. I used some holiday to cover the loss as my work do not do sick pay.

I've just been paid £660, meaning I'm £6 short of earning average of 16 hours a week at minimum wage.

The past 2 months before that I worked extra and so my pay was arround £800- £900.

The next pay month (jan pay) is a 5 week month but my shifts have been cut as my work is quiet. If I divide my predicted pay over 4 weeks it works out at just over 16 hours but if I divide it over 5 weeks it works out at less than 16 hours. Will hmrc know its a 5 week pay?

Christmas/new year week I have extra shifts and some are paid double but they fall into (Feb pay) so I know Feb pay will be greater than 16 hours a week.

Anyone know how they work out if your earning enough for 30 hours, is it month by month or average over a few months?

Hope someone understands my mumble as its stressing my brain out 😫

Anyone?

From gov .uk

You can use an average of how much you expect to earn over the current tax year if:
• you work throughout the year but do not get paid regularly
Just apply and see what they say . You also get a grace period of approx 3 month so if you stop working or have much less hours you can still claim the hours until the end date
( nursery manager )

My understanding is that it's averaged over 13 weeks. The criteria for those on 0 hour/flexible contracts is also that you 'expect to earn', so even if you were under once averaged over 13 weeks, the fact you can demonstrate that you legitimately planned to work and couldn't for various reasons means it's unlikely to be an issue ☺️

Also, HMRC don't look at everyone's earnings, they instead complete random spot checks so the likelihood of them even noticing you were a few quid short is minimal ☺️