Pretty sure we are going to lose our 30 hours funding

[RiverFlowers]

I am currently undergoing chemo for breast cancer, my husband has taken time off work until summer to be here for me as I don't drive (so need him for appointments) as well as helping out more when I don't feel well. He is still employed and has a job to go back to but isn't getting paid.

I am on full pay for another few months then my income protection via work kicks in.

Originally, we were told that given the circumstances - we could continue receiving the 30 hours funding for our child, but I have also now been told that as my husband isn't earning, he doesn't meet the criteria - so we will not be eligible for the 30 hours, but 15 instead. We re-reconfirmed over a week ago and the confirmation hasn't returned making me think they are going to deny it.

Our child goes to pre-school full time, so the 30 hours covers the fees other than the daily lunch fee we have to pay. If we only receive 15 hours, we cannot afford to keep him full time - we would have to reduce him to 2.5 days or 5 half days - the sessions are charged at £15 per session (which is one morning = session, one afternoon = session, so another £30 per day + £3 lunch fee)

That's an additional £75 a week than we pay now which soon adds up to something unaffordable.

I am really upset about it, he has speech delay and has been referred for speech therapy and being at pre-school full time has been really good for him - so if they take our funding away, he will lose out.

We have tried to apply for carers allowance for my husband, but as I am not receiving any benefits, he isn't eligible - and I cannot apply for benefits either it seems.

My husband has to give eight weeks notice to return to work, so it's not like he can just go back either - not that it's really possible, the chemo can make me really sick so he needs to be here for the kids when I can't manage it.

It's just a mess really.

Does anyone have any advice?

I would talk to your local authority early years department. The funding is administered by them. I can't think of any funding that is available but maybe they may know of grants available in the circumstances.

As your husband has stopped work, then I think you are not entitled to the funding after the grace period expires. You keep the 15 hour funding for 3-4 year olds. I would look at part-time childcare options with your provider, such as mornings only.

Sorry I didn’t read properly. Ignore me!

I don't know anything about the childcare hours but just came on to suggest looking at PIP. It's not means tested so you may be entitled.

Try speaking to MacMillan. They give advice about money issues connected to cancer.
All best wishes 💐

Looks like they're updating their website at the moment , but try later.

www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/impacts-of-cancer/benefits-and-financial-support

You’ve posted this on the right board but you might get more replies if you post in chat. With a title such as ‘Loosing 30 hours during cancer treatment’.

What does your DH do for work? Is it something which could be done part time flexibly so he is working above the limit?

Hope your health improves soon.

Do any of these apply?

Thanks, I just spoke to them - they showed absolutely no compassion, no understanding - nothing.

He is technically on a long term holiday, but as he isn't getting paid - they say he doesn't meet the criteria.

I apparently can't claim any benefits, meaning he can't claim carers allowance which is what MacMillian keep telling us to do, at every turn we are told no.

They have now officially declared us ineligible for the 30 hours funding, so that is that - I can appeal but it seems pointless.

I am so angry at the whole situation, we didn't ask for this - it isn't like he just decided he didn't fancy working, he is looking at me and the kids when I can't.

Absolute joke - so we now have to find an additional £500-600 per term or drop his hours. He is under SEN but I doubt that matters either

That's awful OP.

We've had a similar problem with tax free childcare. DH is working full time. I'm employed but on long term sick leave and not getting paid. Because I'm not being paid we don't qualify for the tax free childcare even though I'm still employed. But I'm off sick so need DD to be in some childcare. Really frustrating and feels very unfair.

Hope your treatment goes well and you feel better soon.

Thank you, two cycles left to go now so nearly at the finish line.

He will start Reception in September so we just need to sort something for the next two terms.

I have now emailed the head teacher explaining what is going on as it isn't news/information we have shared with many people - so I have asked her to work out the cost of keeping him full time for the next two terms, if we cannot manage it - he will need to drop days - which seems so unfair on him

Have you looked into services to drive you to and from appointments? There are often ones ran by volunteers for hospitals, there was even a service to the NICU locally to us.

Or potentially if your partner even just did 2 extra weeks back spaces out (maybe one day a week for 10 weeks?) Then you could cover the costs with those earnings.
Or have you applied for DLA/pip. Only have experience with the child's version but presuming it's similar, you just have to prove your support needs (how much time per day and night your partner is having to do each care need) and once you've got that you can prove that your partner is providing over the 30 hours care needed for carers allowance simply by your claim having been approved.

If your husband is at home then just send him for the 15 hours.
Sometimes tough decisions on finances have to be made - husband can look after him and when you are well enough you can spend lots of quality time with him that you don't get when you are working.
Also you will have a lower immunity to infection while you are having treatment so may be good idea he isn't in nursery full time and potentially bringing home bugs for you to catch.
You will probably find that lots of one to one with mum and dad will help his speech delay too. You will probably enjoy the time with certainly your husband will if he is taking unpaid leave - when you are well enough you can go out on trips as a family enjoy your time together.
Plus you will not have to pay out unnecessary expenditure for the extra hours too.
This is a no brainer really - more time with your child-save some money at the same time. You need to keep your stress levels to a minimum so no need to worry about this in my opinion.

Or as another way, you mentioned your son has SEN, apply for DLA for him and then you or dad will qualify for carers allowance whilst earning under ~150 a week (I can't remember the exact figure) as long as he is assessed as mid or higher rate.

Unfortunately, it isn't that easy - I have lots of appointments and don't drive, so we aren't always here and can't take our son to appointments. There is no service that offers patient transport around here either.

As he is getting one on one, we don't want him to miss out on it. He is on the Sen register at school but not officially registered as Sen as we are still waiting for referrals to come to fruition so I don't think he is eligible for PIP either. His main issues are speech delay and behavioural issues, he hasn't been diagnosed with anything like autism, although we and the school heavily suspect that is the cause - but because referrals take forever around here, nothing is official.

We have to get him through the next two terms then he is done as he goes to reception - if we have to pay, we will have to find a way - but if it is just an unrealistic amount of money, I guess we don't have a choice about reducing his hours.

I just feel horribly guilty that he is being impacted by something that we have no control over, things are hard enough without the kids being impacted.

We also have an older child in school, so it isn't going to reduce my exposure to germs by him reducing hours anyway.

I’m sorry, OP. They have the ability to make an exception for you, but not for your husband - so he’d need to go back to work. Is there any chance his workplace would allow him to return sooner than the 8 weeks?

Are you claiming Attendance allowance? £68-£100 per week. My mum claims it, she has cancer. Its not means tested.

Ignore me - didn't realise you had to be receiving your pension to claim it.

There's only one term to go, 12 weeks of funding to be exact.

No, it's a strict eight weeks notice.

Had the gov childcare people not told us back in January that our situation meant we were still eligible - we could have done something - but it's too late now as he couldn't go back now until end of April/early May even if we gave them notice now.

Besides, that still leaves me with no support if he goes back. We don't have anyone else to help us.

@LucyLaundry - it's two terms here, the one after Easter then the final one before end of year. We have already paid for this current term as the latest re-confirmation which they have denied us covers from next term.

By my calculations, we would need to find an additional £500-600 minimum per term on top of what we already pay - which is around £100 per term for lunch cover. I have asked the school to work it out and send me the figures so we can see if it's doable.

I don't think we can manage it. It just seems to hard on him to lose out because of what I am going through, I know he is only young and probably won't be that bothered - but the fact is life is shit enough right now without me feeling so guilty at him missing out.

Anyway, thanks for the responses. It is what it is, I have requested a review based on the fact we were given the wrong info back in January and now we cannot do anything about my husband returning to work, although it's not really doable anyway.

We either have to find the money or reduce his hours

You don't need a diagnosis for your son to claim DLA for him. Claim now with the supporting evidence from anyone involved with his care.

If you've been declined PIP then appeal. Would you qualify for UC?

Thanks, will look into that.

No, we don't currently qualify for anything - potential after my pay drops in a few months when I reduce down to whatever my income protection policy pays out - I believe it's 50%

They're half terms. The whole term is rhe summer term broken in half by the May half term break. Funding is delivered in the same way across the country.

If you can find eligibility between now and 31st March, that will see you through until he starts school. Can he return to work for one month?

@LucyLaundry maybe, he would have to speak to work - thing is if he gives eight weeks notice now, it takes him up to the time I will be having a mastectomy and will be even more reliant upon him helping out.

It's all just crap timing.

We will work something out