I have had lots of advice from incredibly friendly DWP staff but I am still unclear about claiming childcare costs.
I start a new part time job in the summer. I will need to pay 6 weeks childcare - a huge cost as a result of timing with school holidays.
I have to pay upfront at the time of booking and I know I will get the percentage being met in UC at the end of the period.
However I cannot work out the rules around submitting costs.
I will have one receipt overlapping 2 payment periods. I was told not to pay until I start working as the costs would not be eligible if paid now. But this means I'd be starting a new job with childcare not in place until day 1 - worried it might be booked up. Does this fit with others experience?
Logic would be that i pay now, put the invoice on the system next payment period and again the next payment period, making it clear how many hours were used in each period. I was told this isn't possible.
I thought about paying for the booking in two parts, getting separate receipts relating to each payment period but presumably receipts must regularly overlap payment periods?
Anyone got any experience?! Utterly confused.