If you claim UC as a single parent, who pays for wrap around care for non resident parent day?

[GlitteryEars]

If your ex partner has your children say EOW plus one weeknight per week. Who physically pays for the wrap around care on the one night per week?

I pay for my wrap around care from my tax free childcare account...I'm guessing that he can't also have one. So would he pay me? And I pay it from mine? Is that wrong?

But I'd be claiming UC which pays me 80 % of childcare bill. So would he pay me 80% of it. And I put down all of that on my UC claim?

Or would he have to pay it direct to the childcare provider and not get any discount?

What do other people do?

Firstly, you can't have the UC and the tax free account at the same time, so you'd have to decide which one you wanted.

With regards to your co parenting, I guess that would depend on how good a relationship you have with the other parent!

If you put the wrap through on your account, would you trust that they will pay you back? if not, let him sort his own wrap out and pay direct with the provider.

DISCLAIMER - I have no idea if it's OK to do the above!

Oh!...I didn't know that I can't have UC and tax free account. I will be working if that makes a difference. I'll be earning £30,000 per year, as I understand it I can earn upto £50,000 and claim UC as a single parent. I've not moved out yet.

Just trying to work it all out. Thanks

I think they mean you can claim UC but not the childcare element if you are claiming the tax free childcare. It's one or the other.

You need to do a benefit calculator to see exactly what you'd be entitled to as they pay UP TO 85%, not definitely 85% and then decide what is better financially for you.
As for the childcare fees on that day could you have a conversation with him to see what he thinks, ideally I think I'd book and pay and he'd reimburse but I don't know if he's difficult or reliable so that would be up to you.
Providing he's having the child on a set day it should be easy enough for him to book and pay, it may get complicated if he's on a rota.

Yeah I've done a benefit calculator with citizens advice, see pic. But I hadn't realised I couldn't use tax free account too....it does make sense that I can't use both.

(I'm not claiming UC yet as I've not moved out yet)

So in the breakdown is the "childcare element" of £187 for the childcare fees?

Hello yes it is.

You don't need to move out to make the UC claim.
You can make the claim minus housing element if you are in a mortgaged property and add rent costs later if you are renting. If you still live together but have seperated financially you can still claim UC as a single claiment.

My ex claims UC. He pays the childcare bill and receives 85% back then I pay him 8% of the remaining 15% and he pays the other half.

This is relatively straightforward in a 50:50 co parenting agreement. Then you split the net cost above benefits received.

But not so much if you are claiming CMS. He might decide you should fund from CMS. Which is not as simply or clearly defined as MNers interpret it

How much is your childcare bill each month?

Thank you all so much. You're making a stressful and overwhelming time a bit easier!

I would NOT discuss your personal business with EX. Even if you do get along at the moment so many things could change. Let him sort his only childcare out on his days... do not mention a thing! Does he pay CMS?

Own**

@LemonTT it's not 50/50. He will have them every other weekend and one week night per week. Which would include breakfast club and after-school club.

.@Lougle my days would be £50 per week.
His days would be £40 per week.

@Sweetheart7 we havent split yet. We have just filed for divorce. Me and the kids won't move out until at least September once youngest is in school. He is going to buy me out of the house and I will buy my own place.

You could simply ask that he pays the childcare company directly for the sessions he uses. You can sign over your childcare acc to him.