Universal Credit & Childcare

[WooYa]

Anyone know about UC? Been on hold for an hour and I only have a question...
I'm going back to work soon after mat leave and wondered if I have to pay my nursery fees upfront then claim back or can I get payment before?
The nursery want upfront payment of fees which I just can't afford without my UC...
Thanks

You have to pay upfront with UC unlike tax credits it’s a horrible system.

Bollocks... thought as much.
Thank you

Not strictly true! Ongoing childcare costs payments are via reimbursement but you can access the Flexible Support Fund for help with upfront childcare expenses when returning to employment. You'll need a face to face appointment with your Work Coach where you'll get a few partially completed forms that you take to your childcare provider to complete their bit and then return to the Jobcentre.

You also may qualify for a change of circumstances advance for costs associated with returning to work (depends on whether you have other benefit advances still being paid back) - this is repaid through future UC payments much in the same way that the new claims advances are though.