Universal credit & childcare

[xo13x]

Youngest is 4 months old, and due to financial reasons ex MIL has had to go to work (I don't have an issue with this we've all got bills to pay) so youngest is due to start nursery on Monday. I've since been made aware I need to pay the childcare bill first and then UC will pay me back. Has anyone managed to get around this anyway? These no way I can find £800 to pay the bill upfront. As a working mother of two until I get into a higher position at work I reply on a little bit of help towards the cost of childcare. I understand a lot of people will probably just tell me to leave work and rely on benefits but this is s something I want to try and avoid if possible. Please no nasty comments x

You could ask about the flexible fund at your job centre. I think it may be at the discretion of your work coach but some people seem to be able to access it.

What is that? I have my first interview on Tuesday as I only made a claim Friday. I've never been in a position where I've had to claim benefits before. X

It's a fund that the work coaches have access to and may be able to give you help with your first months childcare. I think they keep it pretty quiet but it is there to help people get back to work.

Oh, do i need to be new into work? I've been working for the company for 7 years, came back early off maternity leave as at the time me and ex husband couldn't afford for me to not work.

It takes quite a while for uc to be processed, generally it's suggested you start childcare claims ahead of your proposed return date, and it's paid in arrears. Whilst there's discretionary funds they are loans and there's no guarantee you will qualify if you are both working - have you checked the household income threshold for childcare support? I know people who claim it but they are all single parents. I would suggest trying to come up with a plan b, good luck.

Sounds like OP is a single parent as she says ex husband? Are you married OP or separated?

I'm a single parent, married but seperated. I went back to work 2 months ago at the time ex MIL was looking after youngest and I was living with my husband at the time so didn't qualify for any help benefit help.

OP, I'm about to start claiming for UC. I've started a thread but had no replies so I'm wondering if you can help me? I've never had to claim benefits before either and I feel like I'm going to get totally screwed over... :(

I only earn £715 a month because I work in a school as a TA so only get paid for 39 weeks of the year and that is then split over 12 months. But I don't know what I'm supposed to do in terms of my UC claim. I don't seem able to get any help from anyone! CAB have a 6 week backlog on appointments and I can't get through at all on a UC helpline, need to already have an account to speak to anyone. I may just scream...

Have you tried the benefits forum on MSE? There are a few regular posters who understand the benefit rules and are usually pretty accurate on what's available.

Elesha123 - just go on to Gov-Uk - search for Universal Credit and then Make a Claim. Keep a note of username and password as well as answers to security questions. You will get the option to verify your ID and bank account online - that can be a bit hit or miss depending on your ID. If not, you will be prompted to make an appointment to get your ID verified at your local job centre. You do not need to speak to them first

Elisha make your claim online here There is a lot of information on that and connected pages about rates of payment etc.
Your earnings are taken into account when you are paid. If there are no earnings and you have kept your work coach up to date with the reasons why you will get paid more universal credit. Problems arise because of lack of communication more than anything else. If there is any doubt about your entitlement the payment will stop - but only until you have cleared the doubt up.
So make your claim ,provide all information necessary and keep a close eye on your journal for messages and all should be well

xo13x
Flexible support fund help may be available through your work coach but it isn't guaranteed . You need to contact your work coach to enquire first. You don't need to be new into work but you do need to have been claiming universal credit. You can't ask for help from dates before your claim started. You will need to provide information about the childcare provider and an invoice showing the child's name and what is being charged for and then a receipt for the exact amount paid. You will be reimbursed for 85% of the charges up to a limit of 646.00 per assessment period.

Sorry conflated answers to different questions there
. You request help from your work coach which many or may not be forthcoming depending on circumstances. You should have a universal credit claim open at the point you ask for help. Once childcare is established you claim the money back by supplying the information outlined above. You do all of this online via your journal. If you have any problems you can call your case manager who will guide you through the process. Don't just pay the money out and sit back expecting the payment to generate itself. Communication is the key.

Thanks everyone. Ended up having to leave work. X