30 free hours eligibility - high earner/mat leave

[Tier500]

I normally earn above the threshold for 30 hours free childcare but will be on mat leave during the tax year that my child will start nursery which will mean I’ll only receive half my usual income in that tax year (and bring it below the threshold). Does anyone know whether that means we can get 30 hours or will it still be 15?

Does this help?

www.gov.uk/30-hours-free-childcare

So you earn over £100k?

I’ve looked at the online calculators but they are based on current tax code so it’s not clear. My salary is normally over £100k but I make pension contributions via salary sacrifice which bring it below that. And in the relevant tax year it will be more like £45k because of mat leave. I was wondering if anyone had personal experience.

(Oh and DH is a student so no income)

The £100k is based on your adjusted net income so before any personal allowances are deducted so if you are making pension payments etc that bring it below this then you should get the 30 hours?

You'd also be able to claim child benefit for the year there your salary is only £45k due to maternity leave

As PP says. If you take less than £100k after pension contributions you get the 30hrs as long as the other criteria are met.

Thank you - that’s really helpful.

If you aren't savvy on what you can deduct as allowances I'd recommend having a read up as there lots of things you can claim to bring your net income below the threshold

• working from allowance
• travel expenses If your company pays you mileage less than the government rate
• temporarily up your pension contributions - ie if you are at £101k - out £1500 extra into your pension

You seriously earn over £100k and want to scrounge free nursery hours? When you’re on mat leave and don’t even need it

@StacySoloman

You seriously earn over £100k and want to scrounge free nursery hours? When you’re on mat leave and don’t even need it

I’ll be back at work for the majority of the tax year and that’s when I’d want to use the hours, during the time when my salary is actually £45k. If I’m entitled to it then I don’t see how it’s scrounging?

No OP

I was In a similar situation
You won’t be entitled

Always the rich who know exactly what they’re entitled to.

@Sethy38

No OP

I was In a similar situation
You won’t be entitled

Thanks - I was hoping someone would come along who’d been there.

@StacySoloman at the moment you can earn £99,999 and get the free hours- do you criticise those people too? Or do they not count as rich? My salary is £100k on paper but in the relevant year I’m taking home £45k and decimating my savings. Yes I’m lucky but nursery places in London are £3k a month for 2 kids and my DH has lost his job due to covid so you can piss off with your judgment.

Op don’t get drawn in to it

Don’t justify yourself OP.

I thought when you applied for the hours it asks for your eligibility within the period the hours cover. So will you earn a certain amount each week of the eligibility period? It isn't done over the tax year is it? I looked into this because I am doing casual work whilst also a student and am not eligible because I can't guarantee I will earn enough each week to get the extra hours. Also both parents have to be working to get 30 hours I believe. So if your husband isn't working then you might not get them. I am only entitled to 15.

If your husband isn't working you won't qualify anyway?

@StacySoloman

You seriously earn over £100k and want to scrounge free nursery hours? When you’re on mat leave and don’t even need it

What a horrible jealous bitter person you are. Shame on you

You both have to be working to receive the hours is my understanding. If you earn over £100k as normal salary it's also my belief you're not entitled. Your husband would have to work over 16 hours per week, could he get a part time job

The question asked is if you expect to earn over £100k in that tax year, if you don't and your husband is working the minimum amount then yes, I believe you will be eligible.

If your husband doesnt work you dont qualify

I don't think you'll be eligible anyway if your DH isn't working. For the 30 hours you both have to have an income

I think if her husband is a student then they qualify?

I don't see what difference the OP earning £100k makes - her DH isn't bringing home an income. What's the difference between

the OP claiming the hours and another family where Both earn £99k Each claiming It??

A poster on MN Whose partner earnt £70k per year whilst she was a STAHP was supported on here for being able to claim universal credit!!

The OP will have outgoings commensurate with her salary - bigger mortgage and certainly bigger childcare at £3k per month. Maternity leave effectively HALVES her income a drop most would find unsustainable

But if she normally earns 100k she would likely have savings wouldnt she to use during mat leave