| answer text |
<p>We recognise the difficulty that some claimants might have in paying upfront childcare
costs. Where the initial month’s childcare costs may prevent a claimant from starting
work, Jobcentres will use the Flexible Support Fund to help claimants in the first
instance. This is a non-repayable award, which can be used to meet the upfront childcare
costs to help support a claimant into work.</p><p> </p><p>For claimants who are in
work and need help with upfront childcare costs, budgeting advances are available
that can be used to cover the cost of paying upfront childcare costs or a deposit.</p><p>
</p><p>The payment of Universal Credit Childcare costs is based on monthly reporting
by the claimant of the actual childcare costs the household incurs. Claimants are
required to provide a receipt of the eligible costs they have paid and these are then
reimbursed within their Universal Credit award. Such monthly reporting ensures accuracy
whilst reducing the levels of error and the possibility of overpayments.</p>
|
|
