Universal credit- childcare contributions

[IneedcoffeeinanIV]

Hello! I just wondered if anyone else is currently claiming help for childcare costs via universal credit? I applied for universal credit recently as I'm on maternity leave but as of next month I'll be back at work full time with full time childcare costs.

I've used the online calculators which have given an induction but I don't know how accurate these are.

Does anyone have any experience of claiming these costs that could shed any light as it's driving me insane worrying about it. Thanks!

I claim for childcare each month. You have to pay the bill to the childcare first and then you report the costs through your universal credit account. You have to do this each month. They sometimes ask for proof so invoice and screenshot of bank transaction to prove you've paid it. They will then pay you money back towards it on your set universal credit payday. They will pay up to 85% of the cost depending on your circumstances.

Thanks for replying! Do you mind me asking, do they pay you a substantial amount back each month or does it differ?

It depends on your wages. You get a total amount of UC including personal element, child element, rent (if applicable) and upto 85% of eligible childcare and then they deduct 55p for every £1 you earn (after an initial work allowance is applied)

Yes it depends on your wages. I would say I get a good amount back, yes. Like pp said it gets broken down into different areas.

I generally get 85%. It can differ by £10/20 each month depending on the assessment period.
my bill is £680 and Uc generally covers £540 each month.
they will pay up to £646 or 85% whichever is lower

i send a screenshot of my online banking and then a receipt from nursery.

if it’s ever wrong, i just ask them to review the payment and it’s corrected before my payment is made

Ah amazing, thank you all! Our bill is looking likely to be roughly £1200 a month so any help towards it will definitely be a help

Hi need some advice please I will be going over to universal credit soon and was wondering how the childcare costs work I know you will have to pay in advance but what proof would they need as I pay cash I have a contract which states times term time and non term time and the days on etc and a receipt once paid but I have read somewhere it needs to be a business stamped receipt also I’ve read they will need bank statements to show payment is this all correct??my childminder is an independent childminder ofsted registered. Any advice would be appreciated please

Hi,

I have a question about reimbursement from UC. I recently used a school holiday club at a private school (not my child's school) and I didn't realise they don't have an Ofsted number. Can I still claim reimbursement? Thanks

@Thinkingv1olet they have to be Ofsted registered to be able to claim anything back. Otherwise people would claim for friends babysitting etc

Explain the school does not have an OFSTED number but it shouldn't matter as schools are inspected by OFSTED anyway. Just make sure you give them the schools DFE number and that should suffice.

The childminder needs to e-mail you a detailed invoice with the business/her name, address, contact number and OFSTED number stating dates times and amounts. Start Making payments via bank transfer online that way you will be able to provide a receipt of payment. You can screenshot these and upload them each month.
It doesn't matter what your hours are as long as the dates and payments match up.

I'm not sure what your financial circumstances are but keep in mind you are paid in arrears so it will be around 3 weeks before you are reimbursed. I know maternity decreases the longer you take so you may need to budget accordingly.