Ok. I've just read about the 25 hours a week & I'm confused. DD is at school 30 hours a week. Should I be entitled to my payments then? I'll be working 15 - 20 hours, but was thinking of starting studying as well at some point.

So even though DD is at school for 30 hours, I can't just make up to that 30 hours in study. I have to stick to the 25. Unless its studying from home... which it would be. I understand they need a minimum number of hours you need to be caring for someone for, but when I can't even use the extra hours she's at school to do something productive (volunteering even), I feel a little ripped off. An hour a day volunteering at DD's school, but not in her room, would put me over the limit some weeks...

Just trying to make sense of this all, coz I really had no idea Better let the boss know, coz I'm not risking my main income for a few hours a week.