Childcare funding confusion!

[Unsure4589]

Our DD, who turned 3 back in June, has just moved to a new preschool. They’ve just let me know that the funding code I gave them (along with my NI) suggests we’re not eligible for 30 hrs extended funding, only 15hrs universal. But I know we’re eligible!

I’m due to renew the code and reconfirm eligibility from 16th. Is this likely to be the issue? Anyone know who I contact to check?

It has made me worried as I’m on maternity leave with our second. I’m pretty sure my mat pay just dried up from my main job (due to return in December), but I just started back at my other job. This will cover me earnings-wise but I won’t be paid until 28th September.

Should I hold off reconfirming my code until after 28th September just in case? I don’t want to pay TWICE what we owe!

Aargh! Why do they make it so hard? It’s like a bloody moron designed this system. 🤬

What did you declare back in June and were you using the code in another setting?

Contact your local authority EY funding team. They will be able to advise what you may need to do.
It might just be that your childcare provider is not entering the right details.
If you’re not due to reconfirm just yet it’s unlikely to be your fault but you could check your childcare account to double check you can’t reconfirm yet.

LAs cant help with code problems. They'll refer you to call HMRC helpline.

Also, check your code isn't a temporary one (beginning with 1) as you'll now need a permanent one (beginning with 5).

They can check the code to see what dates are on it and advise what you need to do.

Well the nursery can do that on the same system hence why they say it's come back ineligible.

Thanks. We're not declaring anything different since last time. The only thing that's changed is the expansion of the new childcare funding and the fact DD is now 3.

Have you declared that you're back to work though, as thats a change you've mentioned?

Oh and we're using the code in a new setting.

It's tricky because I'm back to work from one job, but not my main job. Of course there's no way to report that. 😑

Do you earn enough from your job you’re back at to meet the earnings minimum for the funding?

Yes. But I actually did on mat pay thanks to enhanced from both jobs. So, again, nothing has changed. I answered yes to that question previously.

Just spoke to HMRC and apparently my code should be eligible for 30hrs of 1st September (they didn't actually ask for it or look anything up). This should have happened automatically, and as I'm not even due to reconfirm until mid-October, it has nothing to do with this.

Apparently the issue lies with the local authority. They need to assign funding to the code. The setting can then claim that funding against the code. It's the LA's portal that's saying I'm ineligible, when HMRC say different.

The setting are expecting me to sort this out, but HMRC say it's actually their responsibility to get to the bottom of the error because they're the ones who want to claim what the government says I can have. I'm so annoyed by it all. I'm just waiting for it to be a pass-the-buck situation between HMRC and the LA, with me trapped in the middle getting nowhere.

I hope whoever came up with this bullshit system is having a genuinely terrible year.

That's ridiculous. How can the nursery possible know what you're telling them is right. That's the whole point of the code, to let the setting know that HMRC have checked and authorised your funding. I certainly wouldn't be happy with continuing to provide childcare with an ineligible code and 'tough, it's up to you to sort out'. I just wouldn't..

Exactly! But now I've told them it's incorrect, HMRC say they should be the ones to follow it up with the LA. God knows. I'll be calling the LA tomorrow myself, so fingers crossed they'll deal with me. It's only open 10-12.30, of course. 😑

Also, it's apparently the LA that have made the code 'ineligible' according to HMRC.

Honestly, this is mind-boggling.

I would be inclined to call back and speak to someone else. Seriously, LAs have nothing to so do with codes. It's not the first time ive heard bonkers replies from the HMRC line.

I was just thinking this. But HMRC are maintaining there's nothing wrong with the code.😩

But you said they didn't check it? So they can't know that.

On the line now with someone who has actually taken my info and I'm being transferred to an eligibility team. So, the last woman talked a load of bullshit, even though I asked her to check, she wouldn't and was adamant. Shocking.

Not at all surprised. Please would you update if you find out the issue. It helps others.

Will do! Thanks for prompting me to call them back.

The saga continues.

HMRC say the code is eligible for 30 hours. Under the scheme 15hrs comes from HMRC and 15hrs comes from the LA.

Now I need to chase my old childcare provider to make sure they haven't accidentally claimed against the code.

I also need to contact the LA to find out what those 15 hrs on the portal relate to. Apparently, this isn't something HMRC can see.

If it still makes no sense I have to call the HMRC hotline again and report a 'code not working.' Which is what I thought I was doing in the first place.

This is enough to make anyone's head explode.

This all sounds as if your new childcare provider is not entering the correct information onto their portal.
I would double check the information you have given them is definitely correct and make sure they are entering the following information correctly:
Eligibility code
NI number
Child’s date of birth

If those 3 aren’t entered exactly right the code won’t be found.