Universal credit question

[Cherry04]

I've just applied for universal credit and they'll pay 85% of my childcare costs.
If I'm working 23 hours a week but decide to put my child in childcare for an extra day that week, will universal credit still pay for that extra childcare even if I'm not at work that day?

No. Why would they pay childcare for you on a day you're not working?

Can you explain a bit more? Maybe I've misunderstood?

Btw the way they pay UP TO 85% of your childcare, not always the full 85%.

You can claim back for as many days as you want, it’s not limited to just the days you work.

Strictly speaking you can only claim for the hours that enable you to work. So, for example, if you're working six hours a day then you can claim for eight hours if it takes you an hour to travel each way.

With tax credits, you could claim for additional days because there were few checks made beyond the amount paid. With UC this is changing, childcare costs need to be verified monthly and they will look at whether the costs are excessive or not. If they pick up on what you're doing the additional cost would be disallowed.

The exception would be if the nursery only allowed you a place if you pay for more hours. This would be permitted.

You have to provide monthly invoices for childcare. And screen grab you your payment from your bank account or receipt. That you have paid your childcare. So depends how that is all worded. Then they refund you. As pp said it is up to 85%

Out of curiosity, why would you place your child in childcare on the day you aren't working? Wouldn't you welcome saving abit of money and value the time with your child?

My son spent years in childcare, now is at school. He attended 5 days a week as i had to work 5 days a week. Looking back I would loved to work a shorter week to spend at least an extra day with him. Even getting help towards his childcare the costs still crippled me

that's a bit judgy @spideymum. Maybe OP has health issues that mean she needs time to rest or attend appointments? Maybe she needs to do major work on her home that can't be safely done with a child in tow and she has noone else to help? Maybe her child doesn't sleep and as a lone parent she's in desperate need of catching up on her sleep one day a week? Doesn't mean she doesn't want to spend time with her child

@squee123 sorry wasn't meant to be judgemental but myself and many other lone parents included have to deal with those issue too.
Both myself and my child have health problems. Between us it is constant appointments and for him a few operations and hospital stays. I have had unexplained chronic exhaustion for the last 2 years. I get zero time to myself and in the last nearly 5 years have probably had less than 10 days to myself.
I'm sorry that you've felt it was judgey but it was just a question

They do not pay 85% of your childcare costs. They pay UP TO. It's not guaranteed. It completely depends on your entitlements and what your wages are each month, thus they base it on that.

You can put your child in childcare whenever you like. However if they see that your childcare costs are excessive, then they may ultimately not pay out (I.e. they will see you only do 23 hours a week, but child is in nursery/childminder all day Mon - Fri, then it will ring alarm bells).

If I were you, I'd only use childcare when you are working because it will bite you in the bum later on when you find that you are not getting the childcare costs covered as much as you thought.

Thank you everyone for you replies. And thank you @SpideyMom especially. You're right!....I'm a single parent with no support. I work 23 hours a week and am doing my Masters in my own time, hence occasionally needing to put my son in childcare 1 day extra each week so I can attend university or do coursework. I absolutely love spending quality time with my son but also want to better myself for his sake.
Once again, thanks for all the clarification. I've never received any benefits before so am unsure of how the system works

Sorry....thank you @squee123 not @SpideyMom

My dc's always did a a day in nursery when I wasn't working and yes, I got some tax credits help towards it. It was the only chance I had to tidy up, run errands and exercise.
I figured that if I was on my own then my mental and physical health was a priority. The extra childcare cost was cheaper than therapy (which was out of my reach).