Universal Credit and childcare costs

You may be able to claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs if you’re getting Universal Credit.

You can claim for all the children you’re responsible for, until 31 August after their 16th birthday.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

What you can get

The maximum amount for each monthly assessment period is:

• £1,071.09 for one child
• £1,836.16 for 2 or more children

Use a benefits calculator to see how much you might get.

You cannot get Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as claiming Universal Credit.

Eligibility

You and your partner (if you have one) need to be either:

• in paid work

• starting a job in the next month

You might be eligible if you’re on sick leave or parental leave.

If you or your partner cannot work

You can claim for your childcare costs if one of you is working and the other:

• has a health condition or disability which means you have limited capability for work (LCW) or limited capability for work related activity (LCWRA)
• is eligible for Carer’s Allowance
• has to be away from home temporarily, for example in hospital

What you can claim for

You can claim for childcare such as nurseries, childminders, nannies and after-school or holiday clubs. Your childcare must usually be registered with Ofsted, the Care Inspectorate in Scotland or the Care Inspectorate Wales.

Help to get into work

You may also be able to claim back some childcare costs that help you work or get into work. That could include:

• a ‘settling-in period’ before you start work, so your child can get used to being in childcare

• if you’re changing your work pattern

How to claim

1. You pay for your childcare costs yourself (unless you apply for help with upfront costs).

2. You then report your costs to Universal Credit through your online account.

3. Universal Credit then pays some of the money back in your normal payment.

When to report your costs

Report your costs as soon as possible. You can claim for childcare:

• paid for in your current assessment period
• paid for in the previous assessment period
• taking place in the next 3 assessment periods (if you paid in advance)

If you paid for childcare in advance, you’ll get the money back in the assessment period when the childcare takes place.

Evidence for your childcare costs

You must provide proof of your childcare provider and your payments. You can upload a paid invoice, or a combination of bank statements and receipts.

Proof of your provider

Provide a contract, invoice or letter showing:

• your provider’s name, address, phone number and registration number
• the names of your children in their care
• the type of childcare (for example, nursery or after-school care)

Proof of payment

Provide evidence showing:

• the dates of childcare you paid for
• how much you paid
• the date you made the payment

Get help with the upfront cost of childcare

You might be able to get help with upfront childcare costs when you:

• start a new job
• increase your hours
• return from parental leave

To apply for help before you pay, either:

• send a message in your Universal Credit account
• speak to your work coach at your local jobcentre

You may be eligible to have the cost of your first month covered. The money will be paid directly to your childcare provider. You will not have to pay it back.

Contact Universal Credit

If you need help to check if you are eligible for childcare costs, you can:

• contact Universal Credit

• ask at a jobcentre