Temp code after applying for free childcare code in portal?

[Susie987]

Hello,

Did anyone receive a temporary code after applying for free childcare for a new child in the Free childcare portal?

I have one child receiving free childcare. I reconfirmed and applied for my younger child who was eligible for free childcare from the following term. First child reconfirmed fine and 2nd child got a "pending" message. Several days later I received a letter with a temp code for 2nd.

I did not call and request this code. All I did was apply online.

A few months later when I need to use the code, I still don't have a permanent code, and the temporary code expired. The new term has started and I don't have a code so can not get free childcare.

The childcare services are saying they have no record of me applying but also they can't explain why I was sent a temporary code. They confirm they also have no record of me calling them and asking for a code.

My hypothesis is I applied in the portal and from this application, I was sent a code.

Has anyone else applied in the portal, had a pending application and been sent a temporary code?

Many thanks if you can help! It's important for my claim to get this straight with them.

Temporary codes were given out last year (I believe due to the number of parents applying) but as far as I know it's only permanent codes now.

It sounds like you missed a renewal if the temporary code was obtained and not used for a few months - any code needs renewing every 3 months.

Yes, it was September that I was issued a temporary code. In the system, you can't reconfirm a temporary code, you can only reconfirm a permanent code but in all that time I was never issued a permanent code. I also never used the code as it expired before my entitlement started.

I've had to completely reapply to get a permanent code. Not reconfirm. Reapply.

I followed their guidance to the letter on the government website, in September it said "pending" and I was issued with a temporary code. It is completely reasonable for me to think that the next steps are with them.

In a nutshell, I have followed their guidance. I have complied. Now I should be able to access my entitlement.

This is not a treasure hunt where they send me letter after letter with new instructions. Or even worse where I don't even know I am part of a treasure hunt. I have followed the guidance. I have complied. And now I should be a to access my entitlement.

The one issue is that they keep telling me I never applied. They say it is not in their system. But in the same breath they can not explain why I was sent a temporary code. They confirm I didn't call up and ask for a temporary code. So why would they send me a temporary code other than I applied in the portal?

You must be in the system for them to send you the temporary code. Keep on at them. Officially you will now have to wait until after Easter to access your funding as you need to apply the term before you start funded hours. However, I know local authorities can get around this and I know of parents who have been issued codes this term for use this term. Sounds like there has been some kind of cock up their end.

I have an older child so I'm in the system anyway. So unless they spontaneously sent me a code because I had the older child receiving free hours. Would they do this? (And hence my post trying to find out why other people had been sent temp codes).

The woman i spoke to at the Childcare services place, who was actually manager said she couldn't explain why I was sent a code as the only other way to get it is calling them, which they have logs of and confirms I didn't do.

So far all they said is "you didn't apply in September" and they just keep repeating this.

She said I must prove I applied and it's my problem.

I will be putting in a case for them to review for sure.

Good to know the local authorities can get around it. Maybe I will try with them too. Thanks for the information.