Common Inquiries
Combining Scheme
FAQs
Q. Am I eligible?
A. You must be claiming Universal Credit. You must also be in paid work and if you have a partner they must also be in paid work. If your partner does not work but cannot look after your children, you can still claim Universal Credit childcare costs costs if your partner: • Has a health condition or disability which means they have Limited Capability for Work (LCW) or Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA) • Cares for a severely disabled person (and is eligible for Carer's Allowance) • Has to be away from home temporarily, for example in hospital.
Q. Is my child the right age?
A. You can claim UC Childcare costs for all children that you have responsibility for until the 31 August after their 16th birthday.
Q. Do I need to be working a set number of hours to be eligible for UC Childcare costs?
A. No. To be eligible, you just need to be in paid work. As long as your childcare needs relate to your working hours you can be reimbursed for up to 85% of your childcare costs.