Help with childcare

Jobcentre Plus can help you with the cost of childcare that may be preventing you from starting work, increasing your hours or starting self-employment. 

They can help you fund childcare upfront for up to a month when you start work or increase your hours. Eligibility criteria applies.

You may be able to claim up to 85% of these costs back each month, making staying in work easier.

Upfront childcare costs are costs that need to be paid to allow your child or children to start a place with a childcare provider.

You could receive up to £1213 per month for one child or up to £2081 per month for two or more children.

Payments are made directly to the childcare provider.

Depending on the age of your child, you could also receive government childcare funding. 

JobCentre Plus will need to agree with you what they can pay before your child or children start childcare, so please speak to your Work Coach for more information about receiving funding for upfront childcare.

Types of childcare Jobcentre Plus can pay for

Jobcentre Plus can pay for childcare provided by an Ofsted registered childcare provider such as:

• Nurseries
  
• Childminders
• Day care services
  
• School-based care
  
• Holiday playschemes
  
• Or a combination of these

Contact Jobcentre Plus

To claim back up to 85% of your childcare costs, speak to your Work Coach or visit 'How to manage your Universal credit claim' on your UC account.

To find your nearest Jobcentre, click here. 

To contact Jobcentre Plus to make an appointment or to find out more information, click here.