childcare e-vouchers expiry?

[KatsuQueen]

Hi, I am in a childcare voucher scheme at work and get "e-vouchers". While I was on maternity leave I saved up the voucher amount and I'm not sure if they expire or not. The scheme is through Sodexo and on their website they talk about a 12-15 month expiry date. But surely that only applies to paper vouchers? I assume that the paper vouchers have an expiry date printed on them.

If the money is already in my Sodexo "account" then surely it is not going to expire if I don;t spend it? I'm thinking that the only problem would be if I change employer but I'm not planning on this any time soon. Eventually I will need it for nursery, after-school club etc but that might be in a year's time or so.

Does anyone know?

[Indiana]

I am also with Sodexho and also looked at this issue. My understanding from looking at the website and the Q&A was that they do expire after 15 - 18 months (the electronic ones too) but you can get them extended if need be?

Probably best to call their helpline - here is the link to the Q&A from my website (run my sodexho) re the expiry:

https://www.saycarevouchers.co.uk/index/parent-benefits-and-savings/parents-faqs/parents-faqs-about-cc-vouchers#do-vouchers-have-an-expiry-date

[minder]

The paper vouchers I've received from parents (from various companies) usually have a 12 month expiry period in which to redeem them, but not sure about from your side of things - probably the same.

[mima08]

I do understand that the vouchers expire (meaning that you are not getting the tax benefit) after 15months - regardless of the format they are in...

[nikki73]

do they? i thought they could be used up to the 16th birthday.

[Fuschia]

Sodexo faq

'Do vouchers have an expiry date?

SayCare Pass vouchers last for 15 -18?months, so you can save them up for times when you may need extra childcare throughout the year.

What do I do if my vouchers have expired?

Sodexo Motivation Solutions has in the past undertaken to replace vouchers for a further 15 - 18?months. Contact us to find out more.'

[sunbob]

Different scheme; Computershare vouchers, if they are online, have no expiry. The paper ones do.

[kristymac1]

I'm with eden (formally accor) and those vouchers (online anyway) dont expire. I think its really unfair for those that do - do you lose the money you have salary sacrificed or do they repay you minus the tax?

[KatsuQueen]

Hi I spoke to Sodexo and they confirmed over the phone that both their paper and e-vouchers (the online ones) do expire. However, they will get in touch before the expiry date and as long as your reply to their email they will renew the vouchers. The man I spoke to made it sound quite straightforward and the expiry date was just an administrative thing to satisfy HMRC.