Unused childcare vouchers. Anyone successfully claimed a refund??

[snowplop]

I have £1200 childcare vouchers that I will not use. DCs are 11,11 and 13 and no longer need after-school care. DP has gone from working away from home for extended periods to working from home. I'm a teacher so we don't need holiday clubs either. I've claimed the maximum £243 for 13 years and it just didn't occur to me to cancel

My employer contacted the voucher provider (Fair Care) today on my behalf but they have refused a refund because there are not 'exceptional circumstances'.

I know it was an oversight on my part but at the end of the day it's my hard-earned salary sitting in an account somewhere and I would like it, or part of it even, back!

Has anyone experience of this? Or any advice?

Apologies I didn't really think it through, I didn't really consider the tax element of it. It's not something I have done myself just thinking out loud and saw it as a way of getting some money back, but on reflection can see how it is fraud. Was just trying to think of a way of solving it all round, not trying to cheat the system. I hope your employer can sort, seems quite unfair some places will do it and some won't. I'm personally counting down to the day I can cancel ha!

Sorry for not replying. Ofsted have landed at work.

Thanks all for your input. Even those who point it's it's my fault! Yes, of course I'm cross with myself!

I've taken the full £243 out of my part-time pay for the last 13 years. It was an accumulation of extra credit, not £1000 over a matter of a few months. Our circumstances changed quickly and while they are not exceptional I didn't foresee them.

If some people have claimed a refund, ie the excess back through payroll and taxed properly, for unexceptional circumstances, then that option should be open to all. That's also what I'm cross about.

I'd never try to fiddle the system, nor would I 'go in cross'. I posted for advice and to see if others had experience of this. Thanks.

To let somebody else buy them is illegal as you haven't paid tax on them. Either the voucher company or HR are being awkward. My HR dept told me I couldn't get them back but I pushed them and amazingly they managed. It's your money. Don't take no for an answer.

My partner works for the NHS and they are refusing to facilitate a refund!!

Update!

I hadn't thought about this for ages but for some reason (mulling over a redecoration project actually) it popped into my head today and I thought I'd try again. I emailed my pay department and asked them nicely to please apply again to the voucher provider for a refund. I sent them a link to the HMRC website page on childcare vouchers, where it clearly states refunds can be made but are subject to PAYE tax and NI. An hour later I had the refund form in my possession! There's a small admin fee to pay and definitely a big box of chocs on the way to my colleague in Finance!

Don't give up if you're in the same position. Yes, we were daft for forgetting to terminate the contract but at the end of the day we worked for that money and should be entitled to it back. Thanks to all those who contributed on the thread.