The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued new guidance regarding the process of claiming Universal Credit for individuals with children.
A recent update on the GOV.UK website details the additional support available for those responsible for child care. If your first child was born before April 6, 2017, you may be eligible for an extra £339 per month under Universal Credit.
For children born on or after April 6, 2017, or if you have a second child, the supplementary amount is £292.81. Typically, there are no additional payments for a third or subsequent child, with exceptions such as receiving extra support for one child in the case of twins.
The additional payments continue until August 31 following the child’s 16th birthday. If your child remains in full-time education or approved training, you can receive payments until they reach 19 years of age.
If you have a disabled child, you may qualify for an extra monthly allowance, irrespective of the number of children in your care.
The disabled child addition provides either a lower rate of £158.76 or a higher rate of £423.27. The eligibility criteria for seeking employment while receiving Universal Credit are dependent on whether you are the primary caregiver and your child’s age.
It is required to designate a primary caregiver, or if you are a single parent, you automatically assume this role. While there is no obligation to work when your youngest child is under one year old, you are generally expected to start working or preparing for work by the time they turn 3.
If you are not the primary caregiver and not working full-time, you are typically expected to actively seek full-time employment.
The GOV.UK webpage also outlines the process for claiming up to 85% of childcare expenses if you are currently working or preparing to enter the workforce while receiving Universal Credit.
The maximum monthly claim for childcare costs is £1,031.88 for one child or £1,768.94 for two or more children. Eligible childcare providers include registered establishments such as nurseries, preschools, after-school clubs, childminders, nannies, and school holiday clubs.
Claims for childcare expenses must be submitted through your Universal Credit account, allowing for up to three months of retroactive childcare claims.
It is advisable to report childcare expenses promptly to avoid potential delays in reimbursement, as waiting longer than two months may affect the refund process.
Additionally, you can pre-claim up to three months in advance for future childcare costs, with reimbursement occurring after the service has been provided.
