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Universal Credit childcare costs: the 85% childcare element
If you get Universal Credit and you (and any partner) are working, you can claim back up to 85% of your registered childcare costs through the childcare element — up to £1,836.16 a month. This page shows the published 2026 scheme year (England) figures; every number is official.
How much childcare help can I get on Universal Credit?
If you (and any partner) are working and get Universal Credit, you can claim back up to 85% of your registered childcare costs through the childcare element — up to £1,071.09 a month for one child and £1,836.16 a month for two or more children (Tax year 2026/27 (figures effective from 6 April 2026)). It is usually paid in arrears, so you pay the provider first and then claim it back. Source: GOV.UK.
Reimbursed
85%
of registered childcare costs
One child cap
£1,071
a month maximum
Two or more
£1,836
a month maximum
Universal Credit childcare caps (2026 scheme year (England))
| Children | Reimbursed | Maximum per month |
|---|---|---|
| One child | 85% | £1,071.09 |
| Two or more children | 85% | £1,836.16 |
85% reimbursement, Tax year 2026/27 (figures effective from 6 April 2026). These are the maximum amounts the childcare element can reimburse in a monthly assessment period, however high your actual bill. Source: gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-childcare-costs.
How and when it is paid
The Universal Credit childcare element is normally paid in arrears: you pay the provider first, report and evidence the cost, and the 85% is added to your Universal Credit for that assessment period. If paying up front is a problem, ask about help such as the Flexible Support Fund or a Universal Credit advance to cover your first costs.
You can also use funded free hours (for eligible children up to 4 years) alongside the childcare element — the element then helps with the registered costs the funded hours do not cover.
Universal Credit or Tax-Free Childcare?
You cannot use both for the same child. Universal Credit reimburses 85% of costs (up to the caps above), which is often worth more for lower earners, while Tax-Free Childcare gives a flat 20% top-up (up to £2,000 per child a year) regardless of income within its limits. Work out both and choose whichever leaves you better off.
Universal Credit childcare — FAQ
- What percentage of childcare does Universal Credit pay?
- Universal Credit can reimburse up to 85% of the registered childcare costs you have actually paid, as long as you (and any partner) are in work. The remaining 15% is met by you.
- What are the Universal Credit childcare cost caps?
- The 85% is capped at £1,071.09 a month for one child and £1,836.16 a month for two or more children (Tax year 2026/27 (figures effective from 6 April 2026)). These are the maximum amounts the childcare element can reimburse in a monthly assessment period, however high your actual childcare bill.
- Do I have to pay for childcare before Universal Credit pays me back?
- Usually yes — the Universal Credit childcare element is normally paid in arrears once you report and evidence what you have paid. If paying up front is a problem, ask about help such as the Flexible Support Fund or a Universal Credit advance to cover your first costs, then claim the 85% back each month.
- Can I get Universal Credit childcare and Tax-Free Childcare together?
- No. You cannot claim the Universal Credit childcare element and Tax-Free Childcare for the same child at the same time. For lower earners the 85% Universal Credit reimbursement is often worth more than the 20% Tax-Free Childcare top-up — work out both and choose whichever leaves you better off.
- Can I use free hours as well as the Universal Credit childcare element?
- Yes. Funded "free hours" for eligible children can be used alongside the Universal Credit childcare element — the childcare element then helps with the registered costs the funded hours do not cover, up to the monthly caps above.
Related on GeraJobs
- UK benefits: Universal Credit & Child Benefit rates — standard allowances, child elements and a monthly UC estimator.
- 30 hours free childcare — funded hours you can use alongside the childcare element.
- All UK childcare costs help — free hours, Tax-Free Childcare and Universal Credit in one place.
2026 scheme year (England). The Universal Credit childcare element is UK-wide. Source: gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-childcare-costs and GOV.UK — Help paying for childcare (HM Government / DfE / HMRC / DWP). Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). GeraJobs presents these published figures — no figure is modelled or invented. For your eligibility and to claim, use gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs.