childcare funding - phd students...

[dolster]

Hi there

I'm a new PhD student, funded by my university for three years (£15,000 per year). My DP is self-employed and is currently bringing home about £16000 per year. So he is not entitled to any childcare vouchers or anything like that. I have a 9mo DD - she is with an ofsted registered childcare minder 4 days a week.

We're really struggling financially so my question is if anyone knows about tax credits / extra support for childcare costs? We get child tax credits but apparently don't qualify for working tax credits because both parents have to work at least 16 hours per week and, as a student, I am technically unemployed. I understand that the childcare grant is only for undergraduate students. So i'm at a bit of a loss really... Anyone in a similar situation or have any advice on seeking support for childcare costs?

I don't know about support for childcare costs but my postgrad students used to use the university nursery and got quite a substantial discount. It might be worth investigating?

Hope someone has some more substantial advice soon.

I'd second what chutneypig has said. The university nursery at "my" university charges both undergrads and postgrads about half price for childcare.

Depending on your funding body, you might be entitled to some extra stipend for having a dependent too (though it won't be anywhere near the cost of childcare, but every little helps). Check in the terms and conditions of your studentship funding.

Universities often have hardship funds which you can apply for if you are really struggling too and most studentships allow you to do paid work for up to about 20 hours a week without it affecting the funding to your project. this work can include postgraduate demonstrating i.e. to undergrad classes, it could be some consultancy - if your supervisor has any they can put your way, or it could be completely unrelated to your studies.

I have the same problem and really looked into it... No tax credit childcare help as not proper work and no grants... Only real option is hardship fund when really stuck.... Extra work not feasible as need all the time to do phd and extra work would need extra childcare! We can only afford 3 afternoons so the rest of my study has to be when dh looks after dd or when she is in bed so no time with dh in evenings! I admit I am si jealous of the single child free phd students!

Yeah, what the OPs have said i'm afraid. I'm a FT Phd student and OH works 16 hrs per week so we get some tax credits but nothing to help with the child care. We juggle childcare between him doing it, the MIL and weekends, which isn't nice cos we don't get much family time together :(

thanks everyone - it's really unfair isn't it?! Seems like we fall into a bit of a black hole where support is concerned. No childcare vouchers, no working tax credit etc...

I'll look into the hardship fund but i'm pretty sure that you're only eligible to apply if you're a single parent.

Also, there's no nursery at my university so there's no option there either.

My uni nursery had a long waiting list too so dd is at a hospital nursery nearby which is lovely but expensive and as neither of us work for the hospital trust we have no discounts!

It is annoying because we are supposed to treat it as a full time job, we get albeit a low 'salary' but it can't be counted for anything! Letting agents here won't treat it as an income even though in theory it's more secure than a standard job where you could be fired with a months notice!

I love the flexibility it gives me but it's a double edged sword as my time is not protected and I feel it's bottom of the priority list at home! Arghhhh

I know what you mean notremotely - it seems so very unfair! I'm going to have to cut back on my hours in order to save on childcare costs. Does your uni have a hardship fund?

dolster, you just scared me!

"both parents have to work at least 16 hours per week"

I don't work and DH works 35 hours. We get working tax credits. I just rang them to make sure we were entitled and hadn't been overpaid! Its all fine, phew!

I think your dh should be able to get some tax credits - look up the government guidelines for tax credits for self-employed parents.

I also looked into this and there was nothing for me. DH had vouchers, which was some help.

thanks both - sorry to scare you! the guy from hmrc definitely told me that we both had to be working 16 hours per week to qualify. maybe he was wrong so i'll phone them again to double check.

You both have to be working 16 hours to get help towards childcare, upto 80%, but don't both have to be working to get working tax credits or child tax credits......

I would think you'd get tax credits, I think you get them if at least one person is working a certain number of hours and your combined income is under £58,000 or something around that amount.

I'm not sure though if PhD stipend counts as 'income' in that calculation - this would make a difference for us as DPs salary alone would be just under the threshold, but adding on my stipend puts us well over :(

They don't recognise the stipend....