Childcare vouchers

In order to qualify for childcare vouchers:

• You must be a salaried member of staff 
• Your gross earnings post-salary sacrifice must not take you below the National Minimum Wage

• Sign up via the Computershare website. The employer security code is 0019229569 
• Print and complete the amendment to contract of employment form and return this to fin.div.payroll@lse.ac.uk 

PLEASE NOTE: 

The deadline for childcare voucher applications is the last day of the month for inclusion in the following month. e.g. 31st January is the deadline for inclusion in the February payroll schedule.

You can cancel your childcare vouchers at any time, but please note that cancellations will take effect from the following month in which the cancellation request has been received. 

This can be done in two ways:

• Log-in to your Computershare account and cancel the vouchers online (LSE Payroll will be automatically notified of your request and will cancel deductions in the following month) 
• Send an email to fin.div.payroll@lse.ac.uk confirming that you would like your vouchers to be cancelled (LSE Payroll will then make the necessary adjustments to your Computershare account)

If you are leaving the scheme and there are unused vouchers in your online account, it is possible to have the outstanding balance refunded through the payroll. 

• Download the refund form and send to fin.div.payroll@lse.ac.uk

How does it work? 

Parents can choose to 'exchange' part of their salary in return for childcare vouchers, thus reducing the amount of salary on which tax and National Insurance contributions are made. Please follow the link for further information on salary sacrifice benefits. 

Once this has been arranged, the agreed amount will be deducted from your salary and your carer will be paid directly by Computershare. 

You do not have to change your childcare arrangements in order to sign up for the scheme. 

How long do I have to sign up for? 

You can sign up to the scheme for 3, 6, 12 months or for an 'indefinite' period of time. To leave the scheme you need to provide Computershare with 1 months’ notice. 

Will the childcare element of my Working Tax Credit be affected? 

It could be, but it may actually be in your favour. Tax Credit is worked out on your total taxable income, and as you receive less of it when you make your salary sacrifice, your WTC could actually go up. 

However, your Computershare Childcare vouchers benefit means you'll be paying less in real terms for childcare and this might have the effect of lowering the amount you can claim in the childcare element of WTC. 

For more information regarding WTC see Tax Credits Online or call the helpline on 0845 300 3900

Computershare website