Universal credit childcare when would they pay it

[purpleme12]

My assessment period is 17 November to 18 December
I get paid it on 24th

I am using childcare on 23rd and 24th December and have to pay for it this week.
But I've read that universal credit don't pay for your childcare until after you've used it??
When will they pay me back for this childcare? Will they pay me on 24th December or does this mean they'll wait till 24th January to pay it to me? I don't understand

Does anyone know

Yep it will be included in your assessment period it falls in. Slightly confused by your dates but assume if payment date is 24th then your dates are 18th December to 17th January.

There are certain circumstances where they can agree to pay it upfront.

Put an entry in your journal, and ask the work coach if its possible.

They would pay the provider directly

So they will still pay it on 24th December? (That is the date universal credit pay me)

I'm paying for it this week because you're supposed to pay before they go. But she won't attend the childcare in this assessment period because this assessment period ends on the 17th

No they pay for childcare you use within your assessment period, and your assessment period ends on 18th December.

Childcare on 24th December will be paid to you 24th January

this is what I was worried about

This is ages to wait 😞😞

If I don't pay for it now universal credit will probably question why I've paid it late so I've got to pay for it this week

I don't understand why it works this way 😞😞

Get help with the upfront cost of childcare
You normally need to pay for the childcare first. If you cannot pay that upfront cost, you might be able to get help with that.

Flexible Support Fund
You may be able to get help from the Flexible Support Fund if you have to pay upfront childcare costs and one of the following applies:

you’re starting work
you’re increasing the hours you work, for example you’ve moved from part-time work to full-time work
Use your online account or contact your work coach to ask about help from the Flexible Support Fund.

Your work coach will decide if you’re eligible for help from the Flexible Support Fund. They’ll consider things like:

whether the childcare provider was registered
whether the amount being charged is reasonable for the local area
whether you could have got help with childcare payments from elsewhere
Your work coach will complete some forms with you. They’ll give you form FSF3 that has a section you’ll need to ask your childcare provider to complete.

You do not have to pay back money from the Flexible Support Fund.

You can then claim up to 85% of those childcare costs to be paid with your Universal Credit. That could give you money towards the next month’s childcare costs.

Budgeting advance
If you cannot get help from the Flexible Support Fund, use your online account or contact your work coach to ask about a budgeting advance.

You will need to pay back the budgeting advance.

the idea is that UC reimburses you for childcare that’s why it’s paid after the assessment period.
can be frustrating but definitely ask if you can get help from the flexible support fund