Do you have to pay back childcare vouchers if you don't return to work?

[sunnybobs]

I'm about to go on my 2nd maternity leave & was just wondering about the above. I'm not entirely sure yet if I'm going to return to work with 2 under 2 but am keeping my options open at the moment. I know that if I do decide to leave I either have to pay back the 12 weeks maternity pay or return to work for 13 weeks before I leave (teacher) but does anyone know if this also applies to the childcare vouchers paid to me from school when I'm on SMP?
Hope the above makes sense- I'm v confused myself!

No, you don't. I've just left my work (also a teacher), paid the SMP back, but the vouchers were taken out of your salary (just done pre-tax), so there's nothing to pay back as it's your money.

Thanks for your reply. Thats really good to hear. OUr payroll person has yet to get back to me but keeps suggesting that yes I will have to pay this back. Thank you

I presume you get the standard vouchers? (up to £243 a month?) - has your payroll person said why they think you'd have to pay it back?

btw, I'm not an expert, just talking from experience but also, like I say, it's your money (unless the school's topped it up??)

But how do you get it back? they can only be spent on childcare, is it even possible to get a refund? I was wondering this myself.

You don't get them back - they can only be spent on childcare (although apparently they can be used for school trips etc too). As far as I'm aware they don't have an expiration date, as they are essentially just money in a voucher scheme account. Bank them and use the money when you need it. If you're not going to be using them, then don't claim them anymore.