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Universal Credit - childcare - assessment period versus monthly childcare cost

1 reply

mummychat1 · 07/08/2025 13:15

hi,

im hoping someone can help me as its stressing me out so much. my little one is due to start nursery, she is 2. she has her first visit in 2 weeks, We are going to apply for the childcare 85% costs but what is getting me stressed is our assessment period is 14th August to 15th September, As she will be starting in 2 weeks, I assume maybe from the 20th I will have to pay for the remainder of August and then for the full month of September, she will be 2 full days - and this is not an accurate figure but just to make this easier for me to explain she is £100 each week, So I will tech be paying out £600 when she starts, but what is making me stress, is I will get the money back from say 20th August to 15th september 85% of the £400 , but it always means im going to be in a deficit does it not ? i saw another post and someone said it will work itself out over the months, but I dont understand when it will work out? as the next payment I will get the 85% of the other £200 plus 85% of the 15th sept to 31st but i would then have paid out another £400 for the full month of september? im so confused and I just dont knwo what to do , i am going to ask them if they will bill me as my assessment period, but i have a feeling that they wont do this as I dont think they do it for others... Can someone please shed some light on this for me as its making me stress so much that maybe i shouldnt put her in and do something else instead . ;(

OP posts:
Spinningonthatdizzyedge · 08/08/2025 15:31

UC childcare rules are quite confusing so it might be useful to have a read of the DWP guidance: https://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2025-0364/031._Childcare_costs-Guidance_V31.0.pdf

You could also look at the Flexible Support Fund to see if childcare costs could be accessed from that pot of money if needed (and if so, ask your work coach about it): https://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2025-0364/069._Flexible_Support_Fund-Guidance_V32.0.pdf

Will you be accessing the 30 free hours of childcare for working parents for your daughter (from September?)?

https://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2025-0364/031._Childcare_costs-Guidance_V31.0.pdf

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