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Original poster

Appealing free hours

10 replies

Just12345 · 26/10/2023 11:01

Hello all,
Hoping someone can offer some re assurance in my blind panic.

I reconfirmed my hours and eligibility
In October and stupidly assumed the message I got back was accepting it.

A complete excuse but I had a lot going on personally since and I haven't been functioning at full capacity

Went to pay nursery today and everything has been stopped ( tax free and 30 hours) . Called them straight away and they had a query over my husbands salary but because I didn't call in time they have now stopped and we have to appeal. The issue would have been resolved if I had called

Anyone very done similar?

It's all my own fault and I am so cross with myself but now I am so stressed. I have put my appeal straight In but looking for anyone else that's ever done simiar. I've been told 28 days for a response

OP posts:
KateyCuckoo · 27/10/2023 16:08

Not sure about TFC but your 30 hours has a grace period, usually to the end of the current term. Have you gone over that too?

jannier · 27/10/2023 17:11

The universal 15 hours is not related to income it's for everyone hence universal so should continue the extended hours are income dependent and has a grace period unless you've already used it ring your LA for advice.

Original poster
Just12345 · 27/10/2023 18:41

KateyCuckoo · 27/10/2023 16:08

Not sure about TFC but your 30 hours has a grace period, usually to the end of the current term. Have you gone over that too?

So thankfully it seems like I may have till end of December to get it sorted which should give me plenty of time for my appeal I hope !

I was in a blind panic yesterday but nursery have re assured me I'm in my grace Perrin now I should have enough time to get it sorted as the funding is terms and we are mid term so fingers massively crossed

OP posts:
KateyCuckoo · 27/10/2023 18:54

Yes I thought that should be the case. Now fingers crossed you get the rest sorted ASAP!

Original poster
Just12345 · 30/10/2023 15:00

So annoyingly I went to pay last
Months invoice and I am not receiving tax free child care for it .
On the website it isn't showing as the top up. . I am hoping by the time I get next months invoice I will have got that sorted and fingers crossed my 30 hours isn't affected for next month as nursery think I have a grace period.

I'm still so cross with myself! Such a silly mistake to make

OP posts:
Greycottage · 30/10/2023 15:07

Yes, I have done this before. I find the system with the messages on the government website not that easy to navigate! Very easy to just click through automatically and assume all is okay.

I phoned the tax-free childcare gov department and spoke to a very helpful lady who was able to move things along much quicker than the 28 days.

Also nurseries are usually really understanding - like you say, you’re in the grace period, I’m sure they’ll be happy for you to wait until your tax discount is sorted again. Parents will have payment issues all the time. I expect you’ve got a good track record for paying on time.

Don’t beat yourself up too much. You work and have kids - paying invoices and topping up the gov account plus reaffirming eligibility every 3 months is just an extra mental burden to worry about, when you already have so much on your plate.

Original poster
Just12345 · 30/10/2023 16:03

Greycottage · 30/10/2023 15:07

Yes, I have done this before. I find the system with the messages on the government website not that easy to navigate! Very easy to just click through automatically and assume all is okay.

I phoned the tax-free childcare gov department and spoke to a very helpful lady who was able to move things along much quicker than the 28 days.

Also nurseries are usually really understanding - like you say, you’re in the grace period, I’m sure they’ll be happy for you to wait until your tax discount is sorted again. Parents will have payment issues all the time. I expect you’ve got a good track record for paying on time.

Don’t beat yourself up too much. You work and have kids - paying invoices and topping up the gov account plus reaffirming eligibility every 3 months is just an extra mental burden to worry about, when you already have so much on your plate.

Thank you so much for this message. It actually made me cry because I've had so much going on but making this mistake has stressed me out so much! It's so nice to know other people have done similar and I'm not alone

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Just12345 · 14/11/2023 10:05

Still not update on this! It's so stressful! I'm still so cross with myself

OP posts:
K4t3x · 25/09/2025 18:59

Hi. Did this get sorted in the end? I'm in the same boat atm. Ta x

AzurePoster · 12/12/2025 18:20

K4t3x · 25/09/2025 18:59

Hi. Did this get sorted in the end? I'm in the same boat atm. Ta x

Heyy, were you able to get it sorted? In the same boat and just submitted the mandatory review form. Panicking as the grace period is only until the 31st of December, I am hoping they can respond to is quite quickly.

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