Childcare Vouchers / SMP

[smileymile]

Hi,

Can someone help me.

I am still on maternity leave and due to go back to work in the next week.
I applied for childcare vouchers through my employer and tryed to time it so that I would have the vouchers prior to my daughter starting nursery to pay the first invoice.

My employer has said that they cannot deduct money for childcare vouchers as I have not yet returned to work.

This means that I will have to pay the first invoice in cash and not receive any NIC'S or Tax benefit on that amount.

Is what I am being told correct?

many thanks

Sounds reasonable to me - your employer is not in a position to deduct the appropriate amount from your salary in order to start giving you childcare vouchers if you are not actually earning anything.

They should be able to start it from your first salary payment back after maternity leave, but if the nursery need some money before that, you may have to pay it in cash, yes.