Additional Elements of Universal Credit - Childcare Costs Element

You can get help with childcare costs if you pay for registered childcare when you go to work. Childcare costs can include paying for nurseries, preschools, childminders, nannies, breakfast clubs, after-school clubs and holiday clubs.

There is no set number of hours you need to work. If you are part of a couple, then both of you must be in work (or treated as being in work while on statutory sick leave or statutory maternity, paternity or shared parental leave) unless the non-working partner:

• has limited capability for work (LCW) or limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA), or
• gets Carer's Allowance, Carer Support Payment (Scotland) or the Carer's Element of Universal Credit, or
• is temporarily absent from your household (for example, they are in prison, hospital, or residential care).

You will get 85% of your childcare costs met, up to a maximum of:

• £1,031.88 per month for one child
• £1,768.94 per month for two or more children.

Childcare costs are paid up front and then you can claim the money back in your Universal Credit payment. If you do not have enough money to pay up front, you can ask for help. This can be done in your Universal Credit journal or ask your local jobcentre or your work coach.

Read more about Childcare costs in our Help with Childcare Costs guide.