Claiming back the 85%

[lucie333]

Hello I'm Scotland and wondering if someone can please explain how claiming back the 85% actually works! I've had conflicting advice from UC and they never give me a straight answer.

1. Is there any funds I can apply for to help me pay the first £600

1. How long roughly will it take for me to get money back?

1. Is it true I might get no help at all depending on my assessment period?

1. My job is only for 16 hours but I have to book my youngest son in for 20, will they only give me 85% back from the 16 hours ?

1. My oldest goes 9-3 for 4 days a week ( he uses the free hours from gov) but I need to put him in till 5 so will I get help for the extra £200 that will cost even tho I get the free hours from government?

Sorry for long post and all the questions, I'm finding all this every confusing and stressful:(

I know the English system as I run a nursery and help people to open up nursery. I believe they operate the same.
So in England, you don't usually get help with any upfront costs unless there are exceptional circumstances.
To get payments you submit receipts of what you have paid and providing you submit them in time you then get back up to 85% in your next UC payment.
If you are already claiming UC you should get help, otherwise I would check with them to see what you are likely to be entitled to.
You will get help with whatever you pay, so even if you do additional hours or you are claiming government hours, you will get support with whatever you pay on top providing you're eligible.

We have an active universal credit claim and claim back on our £300 childminder bill each month, which works out at £255/month.I pay it on 1st month, then submit the evidence (bank statement and childminder invoice) then it is paid in the next month's UC payment.
I did ask if the amount we get/whether we get anything reimbursed will depend on what we earn each month (as DHs income varies) but they said it should be the same each time regardless.

So I pay my nursery fees and submit details on the 1st of the month and get the 85% back with my UC payment on the 11th. It doesn't matter how much you work just the nursery costs as you pay them by the day anyway not the hour.

Annoyingly you don't get any help with the first payment but I was able to borrow the money from my parents.

Hope this helps

In England upfront fees are available if you speak to your job centre work coach they can check your eligibility.