Can I get help with childcare costs? I'm on universal credit and carer's allowance, my partner works but I don't.

[Eviep201290]

Hi Everyone 👋

I was wondering if anyone knows whether I would be entitled to help towards my childcare costs?

Me and my partner recieve universal credit, I get carer's allowance for one of my children, and my partner is full-time self-employed. I don't work currently.

I have tried to find out this information online, but it has been impossible 😩 I'm so confused.

Many thanks 😊 xx

Why do you need childcare if you don’t work? Best thing is to try entitledto website.

no, because you don't need child care!? I'm confused about why you are asking - you don't have any child care costs!

This type of crap is why the country is in such a state. You don’t work, why you need money towards childcare!!

Do you mean IF you returned to work could you get help with childcare costs?
Cos if you’re not working you haven’t got any childcare needs surely?

I would imagine so that she can have a break in the day and only look after one disabled child or get some respite if that child is at school. OP you are best to look at entitled too and perhaps contact HV or somewhere like Home start that might be able to make direct referrals for you.

Are your children not old enough for any funded hours??

Ask about short breaks service for disabled child

why do you need childcare? You don’t have a job so you’re looking after your children?

Such rude replies!

I don't know about the benefits side of things but it seems obvious to me that there are various reasons.

If OP has one child with sufficiently severe additional needs that OP is entitled to carer's allowance, then it would clearly be hugely beneficial to the other child without additional needs to spend some time in a childcare setting with other kids their own age. Being a carer at a level that entitles you to carers allowance is a job, it just pays the shittest wages imaginable.

It's not clear from your OP but do you mean for if you return to work, as respite care or something else?

Hi OP. It might be helpful to explain why you’re looking for help with childcare costs and then you can get more helpful answers. Is it so you can go back to work or so you can have a break from the 24/7 care of a disabled child?

Good grief. Could be anyone of a dozen reasons.

OP, the small print will be online somewhere.

Who do you care for? Who is the childcare for?

If you can say that much, we can probably find you a link.

As far as I'm aware you can only claim help with childcare costs through UC if you work a minimum of 16hours per week (it could be more/less hours) and they will only help with 85% of those childcare costs for the hours you work (need the childcare) it's probably best to put a note in your UC journal and see what they say. As another poster has mentioned you may be entitled to the gov funded hours at nursery

For goodness sake! Why are people so rude?!

You have no idea what my circumstances are so don't be so judgmental and assume that you do! I said that I don't work currently, I will be soon.

I only asked a question and was very polite about it.

Thank you so much!! Unbelievable! Treat people how you would like to be treated yourself!

Ignore the dickheads.
You can claim childcare costs in your situation, but not for the child you care for. For your other child or children you can. If you're in work then you can claim them for all the children, however.

That's great, thank you so much for your help 😊 xx

Her you are OP.

You can claim childcare costs if one of you works and the other receives Carers Allowance,

Thank you very much for this 😊 It's really helpful xx

I had to give up work to care for my youngest, he is disabled which is why I could claim carers allowence.

His SALT actually recommended and found a nursery with a SEN unit for him.
He had 15hrs free for a while and then upon applying for an EHCP assessment the EP reccomended 32hrs pw.

I had to contact HMRC for a code after my claim for carers allowence came through. This code authorised extra hours.

This was in 2019.

The reasons and circumstances are relevant to the answer, so no need for you to jump to conclusions as to why we’re asking the question, so don’t be so judgemental yourself 🙄

Yes if you have a job to go to uc will pay 80% of childcare costs

You pay 20%

Usually have to pay upfront and you get back a month later (according to my friend who uses chike are via uc)

Hi @Eviep201290

You can look up your local authority‘core offer’ if you child gets at least middle rate care dla you can access money to be used for clubs or respite care , you can even employ a PA to take them to the clubs etc - it’s for you to have a break.
Also do you have a local carers support centre? If you have carers assessment you can access things for yourself for free ! Counselling, complimentary therapies , relaxation classes, suppprt coffee mornings !
Please don’t take any notice of the unkind responses.

Also you can get the 2 year funding if you get dla for your child

It doesn't matter how many hours you work. Just as long as you work but obviously it has to be reasonable amount of childcare to the amount of hours you work. So I usually work one day so want help with one day at nursery.