Stupid questions but I need clarification
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You can apply for a permanent code within 31 days of returning to work. If nursery need to secure a funded place earlier then you can call for a temporary code but these will have an expiry date.
As long as you're still employed you'll qualify as if you're actually working.
Are you on maternity leave still until Jan, or using annual leave for any of that time? Using annual leave counts as working and not maternity leave. My mat leave ends on 16th September, I’m then using annual leave from the 17th. I qualify for free childcare from beginning of September x
My mat leave finishes beginning of September and then I am on annual leave until mid November and then until January I’m on unpaid leave so maybe I’ll still qualify after my mat leave finishes? I think I need to ring HMRC and confirm.
Yes you qualify within 31 days of your mat leave ending. I end mat leave 1st Sept, I've been given a temporary code so I can secure my girls funded place then within 31 days of that date I just need to apply for a permanent code. You don't need to tell them about u paid leave etc, just when your mat leave ends. I spent 70 mins on hold to the team finding all this out and sorting out my situation so I hope I can save you the trouble 🙃 though you will need to call them for a temporary code if you need it
No you don't. I wasn't able able apply for the tax free or the free hours until I was just about to return to work from maternity.
@Sanam oh amazing thank you so much you’ve just saved me soooo much time really really grateful
Not until you return from mat leave or your mat leave runs out. You can apply for code now but you have to return to work to qualify.
I follow the account pregnant then screwed on Instagram. They go through all of this. So helpful Because I THINK you can claim 15 free hours from when you baby is 9 months when you return to work. However there is a cut of. If you are going back to work before 1st October you can claim straight away. If you are returning to work after this date you can’t claim until January 2025. (I THINK!) Xx
You may be entitled to 15 hours free funding but only after you return to work. I’m in the same boat but will just have to pay to give my child to nursery for a few days