{"id":222372,"date":"2023-09-18T20:57:14","date_gmt":"2023-09-18T20:57:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/allworldreport.com\/?p=222372"},"modified":"2023-09-18T20:57:14","modified_gmt":"2023-09-18T20:57:14","slug":"im-10460-better-off-after-big-change-to-universal-credit-how-to-get-it-too-as-800000-families-are-missing-out-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/allworldreport.com\/lifestyle\/im-10460-better-off-after-big-change-to-universal-credit-how-to-get-it-too-as-800000-families-are-missing-out-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"I'm \u00a310,460 better off after big change to Universal Credit – how to get it too as 800,000 families are missing out | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

MUM-of-three Vicky Baker landed her dream job as a teaching assistant after a major change to Universal Credit rules that finally made childcare affordable.<\/p>\n

Around 800,000 more families could also be eligible for the same help but aren't claiming it.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Vicky, from the South West of England, was able to take the job as a teaching assistant in a special needs school after realising she could get some of her childcare costs paid upfront on Universal Credit.<\/p>\n

The 31-year-old who previously worked part-time, was worried that she wouldn't be able to claim more hours of free childcare.<\/p>\n

After contacting her local Jobcentre and speaking with a work coach, she learned of the increased Universal Credit assistance.<\/p>\n

Since June 28, parents on the benefit have been able to get their childcare costs paid upfront – a huge win for\u00a0The Sun\u2019s Make Universal Credit Work campaign which had called for this help.<\/p>\n

Before the change, Vicky would have had to fork out the money herself, before claiming it back – something she would have struggled to find the money for.<\/p>\n

The amount of cash parents can claim for one child also increased over the summer, to \u00a3951 for one child and \u00a31,630 for two.<\/p>\n

This means parents with one child could get upwards of \u00a310,460 a year.<\/p>\n

The new rates help cover rising\u00a0nursery and childminder fees.<\/p>\n

Most read in Money<\/h2>\n

<\/picture>LOTTO LUCK <\/span><\/p>\n

Mystery Brit scoops \u00a323.5MILLION EuroMillions jackpot – check your tickets now<\/h3>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/picture>BYE BYE <\/span><\/p>\n

Warning for thousands on Universal Credit as 26 Jobcentres to close<\/h3>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/picture>SHUTTERS DOWN <\/span><\/p>\n

Exact dates for next wave of Wilko shop closures – is your local shutting?<\/h3>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

<\/picture>CHEERS! <\/span><\/p>\n

Wetherspoons is slashing price of 60 food & drink items at 800 pubs – see full list<\/h3>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Vicky said: "I spoke to my local Jobcentre and explained that before I could take the job it was crucial that I could get help with childcare costs.<\/p>\n

"My work coach explained that I could claim 85% of my childcare costs through Universal Credit."<\/p>\n

Before June, most parents on the benefit could\u00a0claim 85% of their childcare costs\u00a0but they had to pay first before claiming the money back later on.<\/p>\n

Now, anyone who starts work or significantly increases their work hours can get their childcare costs paid upfront instead.<\/p>\n

Vicky said: "The nursery needed a deposit and one-month fees upfront and I was overjoyed when the Jobcentre agreed to fund these for me \u2013 it meant I could take the job and not worry about those initial costs.<\/p>\n

"I love my new job and being able to claim 85% of the childcare costs back will make such a difference to us."\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Sun has previously highlighted the plight of parents who wanted to go back to work – but were unable to or forced into debt by the cost of childcare.<\/p>\n

We called on the government to make the change so that parents should get the 85% of the money they can claim for childcare upfront instead of being paid in arrears.<\/p>\n

But 800,000 households could be missing out on the support, according to the latest Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures.<\/p>\n

Who is eligible and how do I apply for Universal Credit childcare costs?<\/h2>\n

You need to be either:<\/p>\n