Childcare vouchers whilst on maternity leave

[cakeaddict]

Hi,

Sorry if this has been done before, but I can't seem to find a clear answer anywhere. Does anyone know what the deal is with childcare vouchers on maternity leave?

I am due to go on ML in Nov, and want to keep DS in nursery part time so that we don't lose his place, therefore want to keep receiving my childcare vouchers.

HR dept have said they are 'advised not to advise' on childcare vouchers and not been able to tell me what I am entitled to. The voucher company have referred me back to HR...

I thought had read somewhere that my employer was obliged to continue to provide my voucher benefits even whilst I was on SMP/no pay - have I understood this correctly, and can anyone point me to some official guidance I can wave at the HR department??

Thanks in advance.

Yes, you are correct, there is this article here that discusses it, towards the bottom:

www.personneltoday.com/articles/2009/06/10/51018/childcare-vouchers-and-maternity-leave.html

Yes, you are entitled to receive the vouchers as they are a non-cash benefit - might not please your employer as you will have no earnings to sacrifice, but legally you are entitled to them.