How does it work claiming childcare on UC?

[Imenti]

Hi everyone,

Trying to help my friend out who is a single Mum with an 8 month old get back into work.

I've done a couple of the online benefits calculators and although they show different results (even with the same inputs (!) she would be a little better off going back to work part time. The question I have is that these calculations don't seem to show anything about being able to claim back up to 85% childcare costs via UC.

Am I right in thinking this is a separate thing from the benefits she would still receive as you have to claim it back rather than having it paid out monthly with all the other benefits? As if so this would make her significantly better off! She will still receive a small UC payment which I am also assuming makes her eligible to claim the 85% childcare.

Any insights or clarity on the childcare part would be welcome - I don't know why they make it so complicated!! You wouldn't think I used to work in a jobcentre 10 years ago 🤣🤣

Many thanks

Did you put the childcare figures into the calculators you used? There's usually space for this and then it would include that in the calculation.

Yes I did, but I did it a few times over, with childcare included and childcare removed and it gave me the same result! It's said £239 better off per week, but you MIGHT need to take out childcare and travel costs from that...in the breakdown on both websites childcare wasn't mentioned anywhere so it's really unclear whether it is included or not.

The Turn2us calculator has a bit where you can expand the results to see what elements its made up of/what's deducted.

Alternatively, get her to give the Gingerbread helpline a call and they'll help her get it all worked out: https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/talk-to-us/

Citizen's Advice use the Entitled To calcatlor. It gives a more accurate result.

I actually prefer the entitled2 calculator, too, but you do have to register if you want to see the full breakdown of the calculation. (Which is no great hardship, to be fair)

Using a single parent who is 23, working 37.5 hours per month, claiming maximum childcare costs and paying £500 per month rent, it came out about £700 per month better off than being at home and claiming UC on its own.

Amazing thank you, I've been looking for something like this! I used to hold these meetings in the jobcentre for single parents when I worked there but I don't think they offer that anymore!

How do you know it is claiming full childcare? Where does it show that?

Great thank you, I had only done the non registration calculator so I'll register tonight and get more info 😀

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/what-youll-get This page tells you what the maximum cost allowed is.

Citizens Advice have a contract with DWP "Help to Claim UC". Give them a call or look on the website. Ensure you update "where you live"
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/help-to-claim/