Universal credit & termly childcare costs

[InTheFamilyTree]

Hi hoping someone can help,

Am about to switch my tax credits claim to UC but concerned about paying childcare costs. I need to pay a registration fee and a terms fees upfront, and fees are due on termly basis. They will start in September.

I know I may need to provide proof of fees paid. If I make a new claim now and then pay the nursery can I get anything towards it?

Are you changing on purpose or do you have to change?

How much are the fees? Are you paying for childcare for 1 child or more?

It looks like you will get a UC payment towards the costs but not all at once:

"If you pay for more than 1 month’s childcare in 1 assessment period, you will have any eligible childcare costs apportioned across the periods the childcare covers – up to a maximum of 3 assessment periods."

From
www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-childcare/universal-credit-childcare-guide

We're changing out of choice as think we'll be better off, as will get money towards the rent.

That's what I'm worried about @AnotherEmma, we'd pay fees for Sept - dec, but they might only pay for 3 months worth. Its about £2070 for the term, 4 days a week.

I would not change, no way. UC is a nightmare

Ok so that's roughly £690 per month which means you'll get £586.50 towards childcare in each of your UC payments in September, October and December. Of course how much UC you actually get depends on various other things to do with allowances and income etc.

Unfortunately that does mean you're paying the childcare bill in advance and you will only get help towards the bill in arrears - in your case, in instalments over 3 months.

Ignore onthewaves40. Some people are significantly better off on UC. It is not a perfect system but it does have benefits over tax credits.

Oh crap I'm being an idiot there are 4 months aren't there 🙈 Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec. I think you're right and you'll only get help for the first 3 months, Sep-Nov, but not December.

Thanks AnotherEmma yeah everyone just ignore me because I have a different opinion.
I’ll expand, OP i’m currently stuck in the middle of the switch over. I thought it’d be simple and straight forward but it hasn’t been. The tax creds system was so much easier i.e annual review etc. The UC one required face-to-face meeting in town and childcare in arrears by getting receipts and sending them in every time. If I could go back I would but unfortunately you can’t go back once you’ve made the application for UC.

onthewaves
People often project when they've had negative experiences, just because you regret applying for UC doesn't mean that you should tell the OP not to apply, her circumstances are different and she has the right to make an informed decision. By all means tell her the issues you've had but don't just tell her not to apply.

OP, I've had a go at working it out, I have estimated that the childcare costs in December will be roughly £400, this means about £1670 will be covered, but only 85% so £1419.50. If you divide that between Sep/Oct/Nov then it's £473/month.

Of course there could be some variation depending on the exact assessment period... the timing of when you apply for UC could be quite important.

When is the childcare payment due by?