Childcare Vouchers on Mat leave

[Jolly81]

Hey all,

Just after some info if anyone has it?

I receive 6 months full pay, followed by 3 months SMP, followed by 3 months unpaid maternity. I currently pay £243 into childcare voucher scheme.

Does anyone know what happens to the vouchers during my SMP and unpaid portions of my mat leave? It doesn't affect calculations for OML as I will receive the same as I get now (which includes the childcare vouchers deduction).

I've read that companies are not allowed to deduct childcare vouchers from SMP and are therefore obliged to continue paying th vouchers on the employees behalf.

Does anyone know about this at all?

(I work for a top5 investment bank, not a little business so they don't tend to scrimp on the benefits)

Thanks x

 

[Mrs M]

I have been told this too, but at the time I would have qualified my eldest wasn't in any nursery so I never took advantage. It's completely ligit so do it! You'd be mad not too lol x

 

[Jolly81]

I phoned hr today and was told as long as I continue to subscribe to my childcare vouchers during the first 6 months my company will continue to pay them during the last 6 months!!!

Definitely worth checking x

 

[Pumpkin9]

Lucky you. I don't think all companies are like this. I only got 14 weeks full pay (which I thought was ok) so your company is def good with the benefits!

 

[Mrs M]

Look in to it. I don't think it's just something the big companies do. I'm sure there is some written rule that they can't make deductions from your salary during the additional maternity leave (2nd 26 weeks of mat leave), including pension & childcare. 14 weeks full pay is really good hun! I ended up with 22, but only cos the company offers half play plus SMP from week 7-22, and my earnings were less than this so full pay for me!

Lucky you. I don't think all companies are like this. I only got 14 weeks full pay (which I thought was ok) so your company is def good with the benefits!

 

[Mumzilla]

The point of childcare vouchers is to save tax & NI so it makes no sense to take it when your earnings, i.e. SMP is too low to incur either.

I very much doubt that any employer would be obliged to pay childcare vouchers on behalf of an employee while they are on maternity leave, that would pretty much wreck small businesses... Your employer is extremely generous, and obviously keen to have you back afterwards. x

 

[Jolly81]

Mumzilla the information is on the hmrc website x