My UC said I wouldn't need to look for a job until baby is 3 years old. Then at that point there is the 30 hours free childcare, so that I would be able to get a part time job at least. Is there any childcare funding available to you?
Hey. If you’re on Facebook try following the universal credit group? Ask this question there. I’m sure many people in similar situations can answer or best advise. I’d think they calculate based on income since you’re in a couple.
Can you work opposing shifts to your partner?
Could you work different hours to your partner so that one of you is always home to do the childcare?
Hi well he works 8-5 Monday to Saturday x
UC pay up to 85% of childcare costs.
So maybe an evening job?
@A I think her point is that she’s not eligible for UC any more
@Sophie childcare costs are calculated differently as you have to click on the childcare cost section and upload the invoice every month with proof of payment, when I was with my little one dad we both worked full time and we got 85% paid but we didn’t receive any other benefits as we earned ‘too much’. X
@A yes but you have to overall meet the eligibility criteria of UC to be able to get that
@Sophie on Gov website it doesn’t mention anything about a limit on your wage to be able to get up to 85% childcare costs, all you have to be is in paid work (and if you’re with someone they also need to be in paid work). Either way. It sounds like the poster has to get a job so why not put childcare costs through and if they get help it’s a win. Like I said when I was with my partner, we both worked, had a mortgage, we weren’t allowed any of the normal UC benefits but claiming childcare costs is on another section on your UC account which we got the 85%.
@A Childcare is an element of UC so if the posters OHs wage wipes out their entitlement then she won’t get any help with childcare as it’s not separate.
Just add him on a joint claim and see what they come back with. You may still be entitled to something if you’re past mat leave etc x
@Bex I’m sure it’s not, like I have said when we were claiming together, both working full time, we got £0 UC but we got the 85% of the childcare costs…. Although they all come under UC, we got £0 after they worked our wages out but we still got the 85% towards our childcare costs… Before my little one started nursery, our UC claim every month said £0 with both of us working full time. Once little one started childcare still the same wages as before he started, we then started getting money from UC, when I looked into our statement it would say £0 from housing and child due to the amount we earned but 85% of our childcare costs. When you read on the gov website about UC childcare costs, it mentions nothing about how much you need to earn or the max you’re allowed to earn to get the help. All it mentions is ‘ you both need to be in paid work’. Like I said, you might as well claim for it and see if they put 85% towards childcare costs it’s a win, in my opinion.
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@Bex how weird. The max for housing on mine is £750… Maybe it depends where you live then? If that is the case it swings in roundabouts, as you get more towards your housing and I get more towards my childcare costs. But like I said a year ago I was living with my little ones dad, it was a joint claim, we both worked full time and our UC was £0 (for housing and for the child element) but we got 85% towards childcare 🤷♀️🤷♀️
You would be eligible for 15 free hours so you could try get a morning session 9-12 5 days a week then you could do a remote job if possible in them hours ?