Universal Credit closure childcare query. 1 September 2022 at 10:27AM in Benefits & tax credits 16 replies 494 views

Tommy_77723

Hi,

We currently receive Universal Credit.

I'm due to receive a one-lump-sum back-payment from work over the coming months which would see our earnings close our claim for the month.

My understanding is that I could then reapply the following month when my salary returned to normal.

I just wanted to check something.

We receive standard allowance, child allowance as well as childcare element.

When our claim closes, will I be able to reapply AND still add the childcare costs?

Without the childcare element, even my normal salary would mean we lost the claim completely.

I hope that this makes sense?

Basically, when it closes and I reapply - will I be able to access childcare element during the first assessment period as normal?

NedS

Your claim should not close for large one-off earnings for one month. In the assessment period in which those higher earning are received, you will receive a NIL award (assuming earnings are sufficient to NIL the award, even with the childcare element) but the claim will stay open.

If for any reason they do close the claim, you can immediately reopen it online by making a Rapid Reclaim - when you log into your account you will see the link to follow to "reclaim" which simply reopens the closed claim (assuming there have been no changes in circumstance)

Hope that helps!

Tommy_77723

NedS said:

Your claim should not close for large one-off earnings for one month. In the assessment period in which those higher earning are received, you will receive a NIL award (assuming earnings are sufficient to NIL the award, even with the childcare element) but the claim will stay open.

If for any reason they do close the claim, you can immediately reopen it online by making a Rapid Reclaim - when you log into your account you will see the link to follow to "reclaim" which simply reopens the closed claim (assuming there have been no changes in circumstance)

Hope that helps!

Thank you

And in the 'reclaim' instance - I would be able to add childcare costs that had taken place that following month and have that element on my statement as normal etc?

Our income means that we NEED the childcare element for the claim to be open. Without this it would close each month.

Tommy_77723

Tommy_77723 said:

NedS said:

Your claim should not close for large one-off earnings for one month. In the assessment period in which those higher earning are received, you will receive a NIL award (assuming earnings are sufficient to NIL the award, even with the childcare element) but the claim will stay open.

If for any reason they do close the claim, you can immediately reopen it online by making a Rapid Reclaim - when you log into your account you will see the link to follow to "reclaim" which simply reopens the closed claim (assuming there have been no changes in circumstance)

Hope that helps!

Thank you

And in the 'reclaim' instance - I would be able to add childcare costs that had taken place that following month and have that element on my statement as normal etc?

Our income means that we NEED the childcare element for the claim to be open. Without this it would close each month.

Would this be correct?

Tommy_77723

I'm just worried that I won't be able to report childcare costs the month after we got Nil award.
Can someone confirm for certain that you can still get childcare costs the month you reclaim?

poppy12345

Tommy_77723 said:

I'm just worried that I won't be able to report childcare costs the month after we got Nil award.
Can someone confirm for certain that you can still get childcare costs the month you reclaim?

I don't know the answer to your question but want to say that i'm sure once someone sees this, if they know the answer they will advise you. I know you're anxious but members advise here in their own spare time, freely. Sometimes it is quieter than others.

NedS

Tommy_77723 said:

Tommy_77723 said:

NedS said:

Your claim should not close for large one-off earnings for one month. In the assessment period in which those higher earning are received, you will receive a NIL award (assuming earnings are sufficient to NIL the award, even with the childcare element) but the claim will stay open.

If for any reason they do close the claim, you can immediately reopen it online by making a Rapid Reclaim - when you log into your account you will see the link to follow to "reclaim" which simply reopens the closed claim (assuming there have been no changes in circumstance)

Hope that helps!

Thank you

And in the 'reclaim' instance - I would be able to add childcare costs that had taken place that following month and have that element on my statement as normal etc?

Our income means that we NEED the childcare element for the claim to be open. Without this it would close each month.

Would this be correct?

I'm not sure, so I will try to remember to check with our childcare expert tomorrow for you. But I am fairly sure that scenario shouldn't happen as the claim should not close. If you are concerned, what you could do is speak with your advisor now and ask tell them that you are expecting larger one-off earnings, and ask them to put a note on the claim not to close it, which would prevent anyone accidentally closing it thinking those earnings were normal.

Tommy_77723

NedS said:

Tommy_77723 said:

Tommy_77723 said:

NedS said:

Your claim should not close for large one-off earnings for one month. In the assessment period in which those higher earning are received, you will receive a NIL award (assuming earnings are sufficient to NIL the award, even with the childcare element) but the claim will stay open.

If for any reason they do close the claim, you can immediately reopen it online by making a Rapid Reclaim - when you log into your account you will see the link to follow to "reclaim" which simply reopens the closed claim (assuming there have been no changes in circumstance)

Hope that helps!

Thank you

And in the 'reclaim' instance - I would be able to add childcare costs that had taken place that following month and have that element on my statement as normal etc?

Our income means that we NEED the childcare element for the claim to be open. Without this it would close each month.

Would this be correct?

I'm not sure, so I will try to remember to check with our childcare expert tomorrow for you. But I am fairly sure that scenario shouldn't happen as the claim should not close. If you are concerned, what you could do is speak with your advisor now and ask tell them that you are expecting larger one-off earnings, and ask them to put a note on the claim not to close it, which would prevent anyone accidentally closing it thinking those earnings were normal.

That would be great if you could find out.

Basically, all I need to know is if I reclaim the following month can I still add childcare costs as normal

Tommy_77723

NedS said:

Tommy_77723 said:

Tommy_77723 said:

NedS said:

Your claim should not close for large one-off earnings for one month. In the assessment period in which those higher earning are received, you will receive a NIL award (assuming earnings are sufficient to NIL the award, even with the childcare element) but the claim will stay open.

If for any reason they do close the claim, you can immediately reopen it online by making a Rapid Reclaim - when you log into your account you will see the link to follow to "reclaim" which simply reopens the closed claim (assuming there have been no changes in circumstance)

Hope that helps!

Thank you

And in the 'reclaim' instance - I would be able to add childcare costs that had taken place that following month and have that element on my statement as normal etc?

Our income means that we NEED the childcare element for the claim to be open. Without this it would close each month.

Would this be correct?

I'm not sure, so I will try to remember to check with our childcare expert tomorrow for you. But I am fairly sure that scenario shouldn't happen as the claim should not close. If you are concerned, what you could do is speak with your advisor now and ask tell them that you are expecting larger one-off earnings, and ask them to put a note on the claim not to close it, which would prevent anyone accidentally closing it thinking those earnings were normal.

Good morning - Did you get a chance to ask your friend?

whizzywoo

NedS is probably at work.  He's a very helpful forumite and I'm sure he'll get back to you as soonas he can.

poppy12345

I know you're anxious to know the answer but please have a little patience. I'm sure Neds will come back once they have a spare minute.