UC - childcare element confused

[Whatisthefuss]

So I recently had to pop into the job centre to update my bank details for my UC . The gentleman helping me said about childcare element etc and I said ‘I don’t get it because I’m a full time student and my partner works full time ‘

I have gone back to uni to retrain as a nurse and my partner is a manager working 40+ hours a week. I have my DD in nursery three days a week so I can go to uni and do my placement.

So , he said well even if you worked a few hours a week and it goes through HMRC and shows on your UC account you can claim up to the 85% costs for childcare back . I said it can’t be that easy to claim your childcare back and work only a few hours ? He said yes lots of people do it so they get more UC towards childcare. Iv asked friends and everyone seems really shocked but can’t find much info online about it. Surely they would only pay the childcare for the hours you actually work ?

anyone receive the childcare element when working only a small amount of hours. any examples on how they work out the amount to pay ? If I pay £700 a month childcare and work 10 hours would you actually get the 85%?

yes I do get student finance and a bursary but it doesn’t come close to covering outgoings and childcare

TIA for any help :)

This is accurate, very simply you classed as working so the childcare enables you to work

If your childcare costs are more than your earnings there is a good chance dwp might query it.

Have you asked your uni about support with childcare costs?

Yes sadly the only assistance they can give is when you literally have no money and still can take up to 6 weeks to process the application. It’s not really a long term support. Thank you though for the suggestion ☺️

Sorry forgot to add , I spoke to UC and they said the would pay for the times I’m working but if I work on weekends then would they not pay it. However it doesn’t show on your payslip when you work just the hours so not sure how they would figure that out.

I defo want to work , I hate not working I feel a bit useless so I will find out how they will work it out just wondered if anyone worked evenings or weekends whilst uni part time and childcare.

Usually student finance should help with childcare https://www.gov.uk/childcare-grant/what-youll-get

It might be worth speaking to your university's student support team or student finance again

It's if you are classed as working they will pay. Lots of chain tutoring classes (explore learning type thing) around here advertise as you can claim back via tax credits and UC as they are Ofsted registered which is the requirement.

In reference to student finance helping - yes they do help but not if your household income is over £11,000 for one child or £28,000 for two children (before tax) . I did get it in my first year before my partner got a promotion but it was £300 for the year lol 🙄

thanks for the advice regarding the tutoring - I will look into this