Childcare Grant and Eligibility

[CtotheB]

Hi All,
After a little bit of reassurance here. So after having my DD I've decided to head back to uni for higher education. I was under the impression that I would have funding for the nursery that she would need to attend whilst I was in lectures etc. Which works out at approx £100 a week. I've applied for the childcare grant but was told yesterday I'm not eligible (they said that my child is financially dependent on my partner, not me). Her child benefit is in my name, so I can't see what grounds they've made that claim on? I was in a bit of a fluster on the phone so should have asked that then.
Anyway, I've made a complaint and student finance are going to check it out for me, but it could be in the next 4 weeks. I have to start paying next week, which shouldn't be too much of an issue if I'm refunded.
However, if after 4 weeks they say I'm not eligible I'm totally screwed, as I've just handed my notice in. If I was aware that I would have to pay childcare our of my own money, it would have been a different situation! (Could have saved and poss started next year) but unfortunately I don't have the funds to pay 3 years childcare with very little income!
Sorry it's a bit of a rant, can anyone clarify what reasons they would use for not giving funding? Thanks in advance!!

So now you're saying 3 and half thousands pounds a year you couldn't live off that anyway? You're just making me more confused justjuanmorebeer.

From what birdofathousandvoices have just put on it doesn't say anything you've said.
I'll just wait and see what sfe come back with..

Bird is right the figures have reduced this year and nothing is online yet. If you know your dp's yearly income and your exact weekly childcare costs you can check the maths but work on the basis that won't be the full amount for this year.

No the 3.5 refers to the Adult dependent grant, it is actually slightly higher the link has the exact figure (well the one for last year)

But the maintance loans and grants Changed to higher loans instead this year and that doesn't apply to me.
So maybe the childcare new brackets don't either.
Whatever it is, it's not exactly clear. And I'll just have to wait and see won't I.

Hi Sophie, sorry to hear you are in a similar predicament. It's so frustrating isn't it?
I popped into the college yesterday to talk to the student services and get a bit of advice. They couldn't offer much, but did say that it's likely because we should be entitled to child tax credits instead. Get on the gov website and try the calculator to see if your eligible?
Again, this is long winded, you need to request a form which could take up to 2 weeks to arrive then complete it and hopefully they'll give us some penny's.
It feels like we're being penalised for trying to do things the right way doesn't it? Childcare is almost half of the maintenance loan.. How can they expect us to pay that and still run a household from a low income (and yes I think £22k is less than average).
Did you put a complaint in to student finance? I'll let you know if I hear anything.
Try not to stress too much, we will manage one way or another!

Very frustrating! Especially when sfe and others on this site don't take into account that any incomings there are also outgoings and what you're left with isn't always enough to cover childcare because it's so expensive. I know people with 2 decent wages who find it difficult. So I totally agree.
I'll have to look into that thanks CtotheB

More should be done to help us students because eventually with our degrees we're going to be paying back into the system anyway. Especially when 3-4 years get free places why can't students have the help they need.
I'm going to see what happens in a week and then I'm going to make a complaint ☺️