UC, childcare costs, MAT leave

[Annonmous]

Im currently pregnant with my 2nd child.
My daughter goes to nursery 2 days a week so I’m able to go to work. I receive UC and they pay towards my childcare costs (wouldn’t be able to work without their help towards childcare)

I would like to keep my daughter in nursery when I go on maternity leave at the end of the year. I was wondering if UC will still pay towards my childcare costs whilst on mat leave?

I don’t want to take her out of nursery as she really enjoys going and the nursery wouldn’t be able to hold her space for 6-9 months. With that being said, I won’t be able to afford the full nursery costs on SMP. And the nursery requires 8 weeks notice if I need to take her out. So I’m trying to plan ahead.

Any advise is appreciated x

Yes they will pay during Mat leave. Have you also applied for the 15/30 funded hours?

Yes I’ve applied. Initially I was given a code to give to my daughter’s nursery, and then received a message two weeks later to say there had been a mistake. And that I’m not eligible because UC pay towards childcare costs 🤦🏼‍♀️

No that's definitely not true you can't have tax free childcare but you can 100% have the code who contacted you was it the nursery? UC and 15/30 hours codes have always been able to use together.

You can get 30 hours free childcare at the same time as claiming Universal Credit, tax credits or Tax-Free Childcare.
https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/EducationandFamilies/FamiliesInformationService/PayingforChildcare.aspx

That's just a random LA but the rules apply across the whole of England.