Universal Credit for Childcare

[Mamofboys18]

Husband and I have recently decided (if you can call it that!) to divorce. I've paperwork coming out of my ears and my brain just isn't working in terms of figuring out UC. I work full time, and we have 2 young children. Our nursery bills average between 1100 and 1700 a month, depending on time of year (school holidays etc). Can anyone explain the childcare element of universal credit to me? How does it work - do they need an itemised copy of the nursery bill each month, and they then pay it back in arrears? I've used the entitled to website to get an idea of things but I'm using numbers averaged over a 12 month period because of variable billing. Please help a girl out, I've no idea what I'm doing! Any and all advice is appreciated.

I would ring the universal credit help line
They can go through it with you..

They pay in arrears. You pay upfront. They pay 85% of mine.
You take photo of your receipt. It has to say paid in full and be dated.
You fill in the dates of childcare from and to, and which child was cared for.
Child minder number and details go on the system at start. These remain same unless you report changes to Child minder used.
You have to upload all your photos each month before the assessment date. Report childcare costs button.
Caveat: I am not sure how it works if you are a high earner.

I report mine weekly btw or a monthly job lot with 4 receipts.
Mine are variable every month as I am term time only.
You would apply, then upload your monthly nursery bill.
They will pay it back in arrears.

Thank you very much @BracedlnEndIessJanuary. I'm not a high earner so no concerns there!

Thanks @dreammattemousse, I didnt actually know there was a helpline.

hi, im new to all this aswell. my daughter started nursery yesturday.
I paid £550 upfront on monday and was given the july invoice. I put all the nursery details on UC on monday to.
Do you know when i will be paid that £550 back. my Assesment period on UC is 6th to 5th each month. TIA xx

You will have your assessment done on the 5th August and it will cover from 6th July to the 5th August. Payment is usually a few days later so around the 9th.
This is when you will get your childcare costs back.

@Emmav2020 you won't get the full £550 only 85% of that depending on your assessment period.

Hello, can I just ask when did you get paid back your 85% childcare costs?

my assignment period is the same dates as yours 6th of a month to the 5th, I’ve just paid my nursery bill for September. And not sure if I’ll get it back in September because I did it before my assignment period ended or if I have to wait till October if you get me.

thanks x