Universal Credit childcare costs calculator

How much you can get

Universal Credit pays back up to 85% of what you pay for childcare in each monthly assessment period, capped at £1,071.09 for one child and £1,836.16 for two or more children (the cap for two or more is a total, not per child). The caps went up on 6 April 2026, from £1,031.88 and £1,768.94.

Who can claim

You must be working, and if you live with a partner you both need to be working, unless your partner can't look after the children. The childcare must be registered, which includes nurseries, childminders, breakfast, after-school and holiday clubs.

How to claim

You pay the provider first, then report the cost in your Universal Credit journal with proof. You get the money back after the childcare has happened. Report costs in the assessment period you paid them, or the one after; leave it later and you might not get it back. If you're starting work or increasing your hours, you may be able to get help with the upfront cost, including a deposit: ask your work coach.

Childcare benefits and tax credits

Tax credits, including the childcare part of Working Tax Credit, ended on 5 April 2025. If you used to claim them, Universal Credit is now the benefit that helps with childcare costs. Universal Credit and Tax-Free Childcare can't be claimed together, and the free hours come on top of either.