benefit fraud

[beverleymot]

is it benefit fraud to be claiming tax credits for nursery fees whilst on maternity leave? im sure it is- and i didn't claim whilst on maternity leave with my daughter for my sons nursery fees so just wondering if i lost out on some money! thanks

[themas]

To get the childcare element of WTC you have to be in qualifying remunerative work, or treated as being so. If you go here:

http://www.hmrc.gov.u...tmanual/TCTM02420.htm

you will see that you could have got the childcare element provided you were entitled to it before you went on maternity leave. But it does not go on throughout the whole maternity leave 12 month period - the entitlement ends after 9 months.