HMRC lost 30 hours childcare application – can it be backdated?

[Hass5]

I applied for 30 hours free childcare and tax-free childcare in September, as my son is starting nursery in January. I received confirmation at the time (letter/screenshots) that my application was pending due to being on maternity leave. I rang HMRC to query this and was later told on the phone to call back in the New Year to obtain the eligibility code as I wasn’t returning for work for a few months. (On reflection, I now know that applying after January mean that I wouldn’t be eligible for the January term, but this is what I was told on the phone)

Between September and January I got married and changed my surname. When I rang recently to get the code, I was told my original application has disappeared and I needed to reapply. I’ve now done this, but HMRC are treating it as a new application and saying I’m not eligible for the free hours until April, meaning I’d need to pay until then — which I’m not in a position to do.

I have evidence that the original application was submitted and processed in September and that I followed HMRC’s advice. I’m asking HMRC to backdate the entitlement to 1 January, as it should have been.

I’ve attached the letter that I recieved in September acknowledging my application, but HMRC are saying they have no record of tho at all. I’ve also attached the screenshot of the application at the end of the process back in Sept.

I’ve submitted a formal complaint to HMRC as this error is going to cost me thousands in childcare.

Has anyone had a similar issue or successfully had HMRC backdate 30 hours childcare after an admin error?

Do you have your code now?
Speak to your local authority, they pay the funding and might still honour it for this term, I think my LA will accept dates up to about the 7th.

HMRC won’t back date the funding but if they agree they have made an error following your complaint, you can claim compensation from them for the childcare you have to pay for because their mistake.

They can fix it but you really need to put the pressure on.

I had a similar issue with HMRC 4 years ago when I was returning to work with dc3. HMRC told me I couldn't apply as I was on mat leave and then told me I wasn't eligible because I'd missed the deadline (that they wouldn't let me apply before).

I had to get my MP onto it before it got sorted but it did get sorted out.

Good luck OP

I would ask for their complaints procedure. From memory it's a pain and long winded. I was badly advised over the phone about eligibility for tax free child care. I was told that my rental income counted towards my monthly income threshold when it didn't, as a result I paid myself (self employed) via dividends instead of a pay slip for tax efficiency. My taxable income dropped as a result and when they checked, they said I was ineligible and cut me off as I was now below the income threshold. We were very fortunate that it was only a single quarter and we could afford to cover.

I went via appeals but was denied. I could have pushed more but didn't for above reasons.

Annoyingly they must have had it recorded somewhere that I was badly advised but I suppose the responsibility was still on me?

Yeah I have my code now but it’s from April term, when I return to work at the end of this month. I will speak to my local authority, thank you for the suggestion.

The letter does say to call before the end of December but it sounds like this wasn’t the advice given over the phone. Is there no record by them of the call either? Hope you get it sorted OP 🤞

I called on 23rd September to get my code but I was told as I was still on maternity this couldn’t be processed. I have the call log to support this also but surprise surprise, no record on HMRCs end.

The LA can't pay it or honour it as someone put it! All eligibility checks are done via hmrc as far as the LA are concerned you weren't entitled. You will need to sort this out with hmrc