Best time of month to claim universal credit

[Herbyhippo]

Hoping someone can offer guidance. My sister is
splitting with her partner and buying him out of the house (50/50 - not married) using savings and family help.

She Works full time and paid at the end of the month.
The children will have childcare costs (currently family helping out).
No Universal credit claim put in so far as she has too much in savings (so no point) but that will all go to the solicitor shortly to be passed over when the house transfer goes through.

She is not sure whether the UC claim can go in once the money has gone to the solicitor or if it’s the day it completes.

Also she is paid monthly and we have heard horror stories on payment dates affecting UC amounts. The childcare is over 50% of her salary. So with 0 in savings she will struggle so she must get this right. Ex will not help with money for nursery at all. Hopefully he will pay maintenance but may need cms.

I am hoping someone can offer guidance. The UC is slightly less than the childcare (as per calculator) so is better than tax free childcare.

Horror stories of payment dates affecting uc aren’t really relevant for monthly pay. It’s more for people who get 4 weekly pay when you get 2 wages in one assessment period or weekly pay when you get 5 sometimes. Makes it harder to budget as variable. I’d apply when the money goes to the solicitor and tell them money has gone on housing costs. Sooner the better.

I've read that middle of the month is best so as not to clash with end of the month payday, that's when issues seem to arise.

I also agree that the middle of the month is better, especially if she might change jobs in future or ba paid early at Christmas time.

Thank you so much for replying.

Ok so if money goes to solicitor this week labelled transfer of equity on her bank statement or solicitor. She puts in the claim immediately.

The first childminder fee is needed for 1st of feb. Does she amend her claim when this is paid? I understand it’s paid in arrears.

Sorry I am new to this and we are really scared of getting it wrong, she really wants to be able to continue working full time as she cannot rely on him.

She will keep a copy of her solicitor paperwork etc to evidence the use of savings if required later on.

@Herbyhippo

Thank you so much for replying.

Ok so if money goes to solicitor this week labelled transfer of equity on her bank statement or solicitor. She puts in the claim immediately.

The first childminder fee is needed for 1st of feb. Does she amend her claim when this is paid? I understand it’s paid in arrears.

Sorry I am new to this and we are really scared of getting it wrong, she really wants to be able to continue working full time as she cannot rely on him.

Once she’s put in her claim you can add in childcare costs. You can claim childcare costs from the day you get submit your claim. She’ll need evidence (detailed invoice) of which days she’s paying so if applied today assessment period will run 14 jan to 13 feb. Claim for how many days paid for childcare over that period submitting invoices from jan and feb. Childcare element will be paid in arrears with rest of claim on 20th feb. Obviously this changes with date applied.