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Original poster

UC + tax free childcare

6 replies

GinnyBee · 29/12/2023 16:20

I've applied for UC for the first time and I don't understand what I need to do! I didn't realise we were eligible so were using tax free childcare instead, but apparently you can't have both? We will get much more from UC childcare portion. January nursery fees are due next week so I need to sort this before the payments go, and whoever is responding to my messages on the UC account journal isn't explaining anything and just quoting advice from HMRC website. I asked if I need to cancel using tax free childcare, or if I can claim UC to cover the part that we are paying after the 20% top up (so in essence up to 85% of 80% of the full invoice). This is what they said:

"must notify HMRC when a claim for Universal Credit is made
will remain entitled to the tax-free top-up payments until the end of the quarterly entitlement period in which they claim Universal Credit"

What does this mean and what do I need to do? Also, can I claim past months like usually should be able to claim back up to 3 months of past childcare costs?

OP posts:

Catsknowbest · 29/12/2023 16:24

Your best bet is to speak to a benefits adviser at Citizens Advice. Believe it or not a lot of DWP staff are not benefits trained- this may sound crazy but I speak from benefits adviser experience. They will help you untangle this

Gingerkittykat · 29/12/2023 16:51

You need to close down tax free childcare before you can claim the childcare element of UC.

You can't claim back past months childcare.

Danikm151 · 29/12/2023 23:35

You will only be able to claim for childcare from when your UC claim started.
you can’t combine UC and tax free childcare but you should submit the value you paid and provide the receipts and see if it’s accepted.

UC pays for your childcare after the fact so you will be paid for any childcare dates that have fallen in your assessment period. If there’s an overlap you will get that the month after.

Original poster

GinnyBee · 30/12/2023 19:37

Thanks everyone. I'll cancel the tax free childcare and set up a new payment for the nursery January fees. And try to get CAB online chat advice when they open again on Tuesday.

OP posts:

Hubblebubble · 30/12/2023 19:39

You can continue to use any money accrued in your tax free childcare account. You just can't continue paying into it

Catsknowbest · 30/12/2023 20:10

GinnyBee · 30/12/2023 19:37

Thanks everyone. I'll cancel the tax free childcare and set up a new payment for the nursery January fees. And try to get CAB online chat advice when they open again on Tuesday.

👍

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