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Original poster

If you pause receiving childcare vouchers are there any risks?

10 replies

claraandbertha · 06/05/2018 09:43

DH now has too many childcare vouchers for us to spend, at least in the short term. If he asks his employer to pause giving them to him, are there are risks that he wouldn't be able to unpause it later as the scheme closes to new applicants in October 2018?

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 06/05/2018 09:46

Have you looked at tax free childcare instead? I’ve swapped over because we’re better off.

didireallysaythat · 06/05/2018 09:47

Following as I didn't think you could pause them. We just dialled them down to a minimum, and then increased them before the summer holidays to pay for the summer cover.

Original poster
claraandbertha · 06/05/2018 10:07

I think you are right didireallysaythat. I haven't researched this properly.

OP posts:
Original poster
claraandbertha · 06/05/2018 10:08

Thank you PotteringAlong. I will look into that! I didn't know about it at all.

OP posts:
Agent13 · 06/05/2018 10:11

I’ve just started mat leave and when I asked my payroll dept they advised me not to stop the vouchers completely as I might not be able to re-enter the scheme at the end of mat leave. They suggested reducing the amount down to a minimum eg £1 a month so that I stay in the scheme.

Original poster
claraandbertha · 06/05/2018 10:31

Agent13 Thank you. I think I will do exactly that.

OP posts:
didireallysaythat · 07/05/2018 13:09

#Agent13 i think I would double check - my understanding is that your employer can buy your vouchers for you while you are on maternity leave (maybe it's to do with your mat leave package - I got SMP and my employer paid for my vouchers but this was a few years ago). I'd post a fresh post here and I'm sure you'll get someone with law/HR experience who will know for sure.

Agent13 · 07/05/2018 16:27

Thanks didi - I wouldn’t have thought so and to be honest I don’t want them to buy vouchers for me, I’ve got a surplus as it is so I’m happy with the reduced amount while I’m off.

didireallysaythat · 07/05/2018 22:39

I googled - yes there was a recent ruling which changed things, so I don't think you can get the vouchers while on leave

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.klglaw.co.uk/News/Childcare-vouchers.html%3fformat=amp

However I did learn that the minimum you can dial your vouchers down to depends on the company - my workplace uses computershare and their minimum is £20.

SayNoToCarrots · 07/05/2018 22:44

You need to buy one voucher every 12 months to remain on the scheme

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