Q: What’s in it for me?
A: You can save money on all types of registered childcare as you won’t pay tax or National Insurance contributions on your childcare vouchers. Depending on your individual circumstances, you could make savings of up to £933* a parent, a year on your childcare costs. Click here to use our savings calculator and find out how much you could save.
Q: Is it a hassle to join?
A: No, not at all. It’s simple to register online with Computershare Voucher Services. You will need a recent payslip to hand. You will also need your employer's Scheme ID which is available from your employer or the Customer Service team.
Q: Can I request childcare vouchers for any child?
A: In order to qualify for the scheme, you must be the parent or legal guardian of the child. You can claim childcare vouchers for children up to the age of 16^.
Q: Does it make any difference to my savings if I have more than one child?
A: The savings you can make using the scheme are based on salary per parent, not the number of children. Each parent can request up to a maximum of £243† per month or £55† per week of childcare vouchers.
Q: Can both parents claim childcare vouchers?
A: Yes, both working parents may take childcare vouchers, making their potential family saving £1,866** a family, a year.
Q: Does it cost my carer anything to use the scheme and how easy is it for them to set up?
A: It costs your carer nothing to register with Computershare Voucher Services. Carers can register online at www.computersharevoucherservices.com or via the Carer team on 0845 002 1122.
Q: How do I pay my carer?
A: There are three ways you can pay your carer:
- 1. e-Voucher
You pay your carer electronically, using your secure online account to authorise the payment. Computershare Voucher Services transfers funds as authorised by you and will pay these into the carer’s designated bank account by BACS transfer, in line with the carer’s specified payment frequency. This is the most accessible, flexible and
environmentally sensitive product we offer and is our preferred method of payment.
- 2. Standing Carer Payment
For those parents who don’t have internet access but who wish to adopt an environmentally friendly way of paying their carer, we offer an additional paperless option called a standing carer payment. You simply advise us when you would like payment to be made to a carer and Computershare Voucher Services will make the payment on your behalf directly to the carer’s designated bank account by BACS transfer at a frequency determined by the carer.
- 3. Paper voucher
Paper vouchers give you the facility to hand a voucher to a carer as and when required. They can be ordered in any denomination from £20 upwards. The carer can either redeem the paper childcare vouchers via their own online account or by calling our automated redemption line on 0845 002 1122. Please note your carer will find it easier to redeem childcare vouchers with Computershare Voucher Services in the largest denomination possible. Following redemption Computershare Voucher Services will pay the face value of the voucher directly to the carer’s designated bank account by BACS transfer at a frequency determined by the carer.
Please Note: Computershare Voucher Services has a range of payment
options. However, the payment method may be determined by individual employers. You are advised to seek clarification from your employer.
Q: What happens if my carer changes regularly?
A: Then our strong recommendation is that you opt for our secure online account using e-Vouchers. Due to its flexibility, over 80% of our new parents select this option. If you use numerous carers, for example an out of school club and a childminder, you can split the value of your vouchers between both.
Please note: if you receive paper vouchers you must notify us if your carer changes. This is because your carers details are printed on the face of the voucher. If you use e-Vouchers, there is no need to notify us.
Q: If I am a Higher rate tax-payer can I still claim childcare vouchers?
A: Yes, childcare vouchers are available to all tax-payers. If you are a Higher rate tax-payer you may be eligible to save up to £623 a parent, a year. If you are a Basic rate tax-payer, you could save up to £933* a parent, a year. The savings you make will depend on your circumstances.
Q: My employer doesn’t offer childcare vouchers at the moment. What can I do to encourage them?
A: We can provide your employer with all the information they need to set up our scheme. All you need to do is ask them to contact the Customer Service team on 0845 002 1111 or pass their details to us and we will contact them on your behalf.
Q: I currently complete a Self Assessment Form. Do I need to include my childcare vouchers?
A: No, because this is a salary sacrifice scheme handled through payroll and has already been taxed correctly at source at your marginal income tax rate. If you do not currently complete a Self Assessment Form this will not trigger the need to do so.
Q: If I have a complaint, what should I do?
A: Computershare Voucher Services Limited take complaints received whether verbally or in writing as a very serious matter and endeavour to ensure that a complaint is rectified to a satisfactory standard as quickly as possible.
*Figures quoted are the maximum available savings for a Basic rate tax-payer. Higher and Additional rate tax-payers may save around £600 a year. The savings you make will depend on your circumstances.
^1st September following 15th birthday or 1st September following 16th birthday for children who are registered disabled.
†For parents joining a scheme from 6 April 2011, the Government has capped the amount of childcare vouchers a tax-payer can request each month to £243 for a Basic rate tax-payer, £124 for a Higher rate tax-payer and £97 for an Additional rate tax-payer. Parents who joined their employers childcare voucher scheme before 6 April 2011 can continue to request up to £243 a month (£55 a week) in childcare vouchers, regardless of their tax status, providing they remain in their employers’ scheme (i.e. they have received a childcare voucher in the last rolling 12 month period).
**Figures quoted relate to the maximum family savings, if both working parents are Basic rate tax-payers and use childcare vouchers. If both working parents are Higher or Additional rate tax-payers they may save over £1,200 a year. The savings you make will depend on your circumstances.
Please click here to download our Complaints Policy document.