UC or TFC

[NCKitten]

I returned to work from maternity leave a few weeks ago. DH is currently taking shared parental leave, returning to work on 15 April. DS will start nursery on 29 April. DH earns 26k/year, I earn 20.5k/ year. Nursery will cost £200/ week.

I applied for tax free childcare and was awarded it. This would pay us £40/ week, in addition to £20.70 child benefit. However, when I did the entitledto.co.uk benefits calculator, it said we would be entitled to appr. £57 universal credit a week, and also child benefit.

This has really surprised me, and I am still not entirely sure it is right. But assuming it is, we'd be better off on UC. When should we claim it? I'm not sure which period they look at to check your earnings - if it is retrospective then I anticipate all sorts of issues as both DH and I were recently on statutory pay (maternity and shared parental), but will soon be earning more. Will I/ we need to attend appointments at the jobcentre? DH works full-time, I do 4 days. Will we be encouraged to get better paying jobs? How easy or not is it to go back onto TFC if UC doesn't work out?

@Anotheremma, sorry to @ you, but I seem to recall you work for CAB?

Hello! Yes I do. It depends on individual circumstances so we would always check using the calculator. If you have checked and it's saying you'll be better off under UC instead of TFC, it's most probably right. The reason is that UC covers a generous 85% of childcare costs. More info at www.entitledto.co.uk/help/getting-the-most-help-with-childcare

To claim UC you do have to attend an initial appointment at the job centre but after that you won't have to attend regular appointments as you are both in paid work for 4/5 days a week.

Actually I've just re-read your post and I have a question... did you put your current income in the calculator (ie your salary plus DH's statutory parental pay) or did you put your future income after he goes back to work (ie both salaries in full)?

Thank you for replying! I put both salaries in full in the calculator, and the childcare costs we will have when we're both back in work.

Will we both need to attend appointments at the job centre? And is there any flexibility in when these are? I simply cannot take time off work.

To claim Universal Credit, you start the claim online and then make an appointment at the job centre. As far as I'm aware you'll have a choice of days/times. I'm pretty sure that you can attend by yourself (if you are the main claimant ie you make the claim and put DH as your partner) although you will need to provide evidence (ID, payslips etc) for both of you. After that initial appointment you won't have any more, the ongoing appointments are just for jobseekers which you won't be obviously.

Another option is for DH to be the main claimant and start the claim before he goes back to work, then he will have more time for an appointment.