Claiming universal credit and child reaching 5, what will happen.

[Fightingback16]

Can anyone help me out with this.

I currently work around 17hrs a week and claim Univeral Credit.

My daughter turned 5 recently what will this do to my payments? I was under the impression it was 16hrs you have to work until age 5 then in changes.

I’m struggling as I don’t have any child care other than mum who can’t really cope over holidays if I increase my hours. I’m a single parent with 100% access.

I don’t claim UC yet (still on legacy benefits) but I have a lot of friends who do with children older than 5 and they still only work 16 hours with no pressure from the job centre to work more hours

You'll be expected to work or look for work 25 hours per week. You'll be expected to use formal childcare and claim the childcare allowance to do so.

Ah ok. So I need to be looking to increase my hours and find childcare. Then am I right in that I can claim 85% back?

How quickly will they enforce this as its been a week since turning 5? Are they pushing this during covid?

One more question what will happen if I continue to only work 16 hrs, do I loose it all?

It's not 25 hoursa week you have to earn. They expect you to be earning 25x nmw per week. In reality they will likely do very little if you don't reach that.

@Fightingback16

Ah ok. So I need to be looking to increase my hours and find childcare. Then am I right in that I can claim 85% back?

How quickly will they enforce this as its been a week since turning 5? Are they pushing this during covid?

One more question what will happen if I continue to only work 16 hrs, do I loose it all?

You won't lose it at all. The 25 x nmw per week is what you should aim for but they won't do anything if you don't reach it. You can claim 85% of childcare costs back up to a limit, the childcare element is paid as another element of Uc alongside your standard element and child element. the wages reduce the whole award.

@Babyroobs I’m only on minimum wage

My children are 11 (twins) & I only work 17 hours a week. I have been told to do more hours or look for more work so I think you will be ok.

@Whattodonow6322 are you on the new system also? I have a friend who’s son is 8 and she still only has to work 16hrs as on the old system.

I am not sure sorry I started claiming about 2 years ago & it is universal credit.

My friend asked this. She doesn't work. Her dc starts school in Sept. Is 4 in July.
She thinks she won't have to work until the dc is 5. But I said I was unsure.

[quote Fightingback16]@Whattodonow6322 are you on the new system also? I have a friend who’s son is 8 and she still only has to work 16hrs as on the old system.[/quote]
Yes for tax credits it's 16 hours but for UC it's 25 x nmw once kids are at school. Different benefit, different rules.

Generally at primary school age you will be expected earn the equivalent to working 25 hours at minimum wage. There are exceptions if you can't find a job that fits around school hours.

If I were you I would look into school holiday clubs etc. As long as they are ofsted registered then you can claim back up to 85% of costs up to £646 a month. It's hard to pay up front but it evens out the following month. As long as you provide proof of payment and proof of childcare you can get it back the following payment after the assessment period.

I think it’s 25 hours
Surely that’s a good thing ,most people increase hours when the kids go to school