Universal credit - childcare

[Whathefisgoingon]

I’m out of work as of last week and DP is on a low income.

DS is 25 months and due to start nursery next month, not for childcare reasons but because he desperately needs to socialise with children his age.

Whilst applying for universal credit it asks if I pay childcare costs, which we will be but as he has not started yet I do not have any invoices or made any payments yet there is nothings to upload. What do I do in this situation?

You won't be able to claim childcare costs if you aren't both working.

@Babyroobs Do you know why it would ask me to specify details then?

[quote Whathefisgoingon]@Babyroobs Do you know why it would ask me to specify details then?[/quote]
Have you reported a change that you are no longer employed ? If their system has not updated then it will look to them like you both work ?

I'm not sure whether on Uc there is a run on of childcare payments like there is on the old system, but if your child is only just starting in childcare yet you are not both employed they won't pay it unless in specific circumstances like one of you is too ill to work or a carer or something. They won't pay it just so your child can socialize, they will say ds can go to a toddler group to socialise.

Ah I see, makes sense! I haven’t claimed benefits before so this is a new application.

It specifically asks if we pay our own childcare which we will be, but not yet. I’ve put no for now.

You get 15 hrs free with universal credit once they turn two but not sure the conditions on it. If you Google I'm sure there's a separate form to apply

DS is 25 months and due to start nursery next month, not for childcare reasons but because he desperately needs to socialise with children his age.

Are there no groups local to you that you could take him to? Nursery is going to drain you if you are not getting help yet on UC :(

@User564358985

You get 15 hrs free with universal credit once they turn two but not sure the conditions on it. If you Google I'm sure there's a separate form to apply

The 15 hours free is nothing to do with UC, it is an early years education grant which you apply for through your local council and is not available to all 2 year olds. Most children get it from the term after their third birthday. Some children from low income families may get it from aged 2.

You can only claim the childcare costs if both of you are working(no limit on the number of hours). Even if you worked for 4 hours a week you could claim costs towards childcare.

When your child is 3 you can claim the free hours. The 2 year funding has income criteria(take home of less than £15,400 pa)