A new webpage published on GOV.UK outlines the extra help you may be entitled to if you’re claiming Universal Credit and responsible for looking after a child
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published new guidance for claiming Universal Credit if you have children.
A new webpage published on GOV.UK outlines the extra help you may be entitled to if you’re responsible for looking after a child. If your first child was born before April 6, 2017, then you could claim an extra £339 a month in Universal Credit.
If your first child was born on or after April 6, 2017, or you have a second child, the extra amount is £292.81. You normally do not receive any extra payments for your third or subsequent child, although there are some exceptions – for example, you may get an extra payment for one child if you have twins.
Any extra amount you receive will be paid until August 31 after your child’s 16th birthday. You can continue to get payments up until they are aged 19 if they are continuing in full-time education or approved training.
You might get an extra monthly amount if any of your children are disabled. You’ll get this extra amount no matter how many children you have.
The disabled child addition will be paid at either a lower rate, which is £158.76, or higher rate, which is £423.27. When it comes to looking for work and claiming Universal Credit, the GOV.UK page explains that it all depends on if you’re the main carer, and the age of your child.
You will need to nominate a main carer, or if you are a single parent, you will automatically be the main carer. You don’t have to work when your youngest child is under one year old, but by the time they are 3, you are generally expected to start working or preparing for work.
If you’re not the main carer, and not working full-time, you’re usually expected to look for full-time work.
The GOV.UK page also explains how you can claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs if you’re working, or about to start work, and claiming Universal Credit.
The maximum amount you can claim each month is £1,031.88 for one child or £1,768.94 for two or more children. The childcare must be with a registered provider and can include nursery, preschool, after-school clubs, breakfast clubs, childminders, nannies, and school holiday clubs.
Claims for childcare have to be made through your Universal Credit account and you can claim up to three months of past childcare.
However, it is recommended that you report your childcare as soon as you pay for it, as if you leave it for longer than two months, you might not get the money back.
You can also claim up to three months in advance of future childcare but you won’t be reimbursed until you childcare has been delivered.
