I'm currently on maternity leave, I was receiving MA but that ended last month.
I'm not due back at my original job until October as I was having a full year off, but I have been offered a new role (PT), and will be started on the 20th September.
I phoned tax credits today to explain since I think I'm entitled to more credits and money towards my childcare costs.
I was told that basically, they should've stopped paying me the working tax credit complement of my current claim in July, since they only pay working tax credits for the first 9 months of maternity leave.
Further to this, they don't pay childcare amounts in advance so I have to find the money for childcare myself for the first payment.
Not sure what I'm going to do. I'm fucked. No money to pay childminder upfront and not sure how I'm going to pay back the overpayment.
They didn't say/I didn't know they only paid the working tax element for the first 9 months of maternity leave. Why didn't they stop paying me? I told them when I first applied when my MA (maternity allowance) would be ending.
Luckily it looks like I've only been overpaid by one payment.
Just so worried. Goodness knows where I will find the cash to pay my childminder. I am meeting with her on Monday to discuss practical things such as the finances and dietary needs of DC etc. Do childminders usually require the payments upfront?