Benefit calculators? Unpaid Mat Leave

[Helenknowsbest]

Hi, wondering if anyone can help me? Any UC experts out there.

I've used Turn2us and Entitled to and have had very different results. Obviously I have took into account the tapper change and worked out the adjustment but still having different amounts.
We have a mortgage and not entitled to any Council Tax discount.
My partner earns 30,100 and pays into pension of £1600 per year. I'm on Maternity Leave with my second child (a girl) and taking the full 52 weeks but my last payment will be £150 (SMP) in December. I want to know a calculation from then not now. My son is 2 and will not be entitled to any free nursery hours until September next year and his monthly nursery fees are £200.
Entitled to worked out a calculation and when I looked at how they worked it out they had included the childcare costs.
Turn2us however chose not to include the childcare costs.
My son only goes to nursery 1 day a week and I'm certainly not going to pull him out of nursery until I go back to work in a few months time.

Just curious with any experts out there? Would my 2 year old sons childcare be included in an application? Why would it not be?

Just looking for some good advice and answers :)

I guess it might be when you are actually employed but for the three months unpaid I'm not sure because you are choosing to take that off extra and not being paid for it so no wages for you would be reported. Sorry I can't be of more help. I deal with a lot of Uc but not the childcare aspect.
Others who are more knowledgeable on childcare will be along soon I'm sure.

Just to say I think entitled to is one of the more accurate calculators.
I just put some vague figures into my work benefit calculator and it did add childcare to the calculation but it came up with a warning that as no wages for you were added, it may not be paid. Sorry I know that's not very helpful !

Not an expert but we get most of the nursery fees back, but your DP has a decent income and you have a mortgage which is classed as an asset so I think it would reduce the amount you're entitled to. Can you use the calculator again but input your circumstances as they would be in the last 3 months of mat leave when you don't have a salary (like it is happening now) to give you an idea?

@CustardGoodJamGoodMeatGood

Not an expert but we get most of the nursery fees back, but your DP has a decent income and you have a mortgage which is classed as an asset so I think it would reduce the amount you're entitled to. Can you use the calculator again but input your circumstances as they would be in the last 3 months of mat leave when you don't have a salary (like it is happening now) to give you an idea?

I think the issue is that you have to be classed as both working to get help with childcare, or be a lone parent. Childcare would be paid whilst on the paid part of mat leave, it's just whether the 3 months unpaid is classed differently. I guess you still have a contract but it's unpaid.

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

This seems to indicate you need to be in paid work to receive childcare costs.

@Babyroobs

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

This seems to indicate you need to be in paid work to receive childcare costs.

So whilst in receipt of SMP you can get childcare costs paid but once they stop maybe not.

Ah yes, had a quick Google and it seems that you have to be in paid work rather than just employed.

If I have understood it correctly I think you need to be in paid employment to get UC, unpaid mat leave doesn't count once the statutory period is finished.

No harm in putting in a claim though, if you are honest with your application.

Thank you all for your replies. I've adjusted the calculations as if I'm on the 3 months unpaid now and the amount does include 85% of the childcare. I do have a little savings aside to cover the childcare just incase it is not paid by UniversalCredit (didn't think we'dbe entitled to anything tbh - but even a little goes a long way to help tie us over). When I do apply in December I shall let you all know what the decision is. :)

Just as a point of interest, was speaking to someone before who works in employment law and used to work on tax credits. He said that even if you are on unpaid leave from maternity. All rights are protected and still classed as in paid employment. Hopefully UC take the same line. fingers crossed but not getting my hopes up.

Yes it's classed as being employed but as you won't be earning anything in that period you may not be eligible for universal credit for childcare costs. UC is different from tax credits as it is a live monthly assessment calculation rather than based on annual earnings. You can only apply and see.

The criteria does state only whilst getting smp so it may not include childcare costs unfortunately.

I have recently returned from Mat leave and received universal credits for the unpaid 3 months, my husband has a similar salary to yours. We didn't claim the child care element as my husband gets child care vouchers. My job is in this area and i did have to clarify myself as it was confusing!

@Mumheadflop thanks for your reply, I'm hoping my childcare element should be included up to 85%. If not I'll be glad to get a small amount because of the 3 months unpaid leave, better than nothing I suppose!

Hi
Thought I would update that I was entitled to 85% of childcare costs during this period. You can claim these costs 2 months after the paid employment finishes (in my case it's just my pay that finished) and I think a month before I receive my pay again when I go back to work. This only covers my toddler and not the child I'm currently on maternity leave for. So happy news :-)

Thanks for updating us. Really interesting and useful to anyone in a similar situation.