Childcare costs element inquiry - can you help?

Hi

CPAG are drawing up a submission to the Work and Pensions Select Committee inquiry into childcare costs in UC.

On our Early Warning System we have seen issues with:

•        Claimants forced into debt (or losing their childcare place)  when providers demand fees up-front and UC childcare costs element is paid in arrears, often several assessment periods after the parent pays the bill
•        Problems proving that childcare costs have been paid: DWP refusing to act on handwritten receipts
•        Miscalculation of childcare costs element
•        Claimants unable to upload receipts for childcare to their UC journal
•        Claimants in arrears with childcare costs unable get help with the bill until they can show they have paid the bill - pushing them into debt or losing their childcare place and potentially their job

If you work with UC claimants facing these type of problems with childcare costs we would like to hear from you at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Equally, if you have suggestions as to what we ought to be raising with the select committee, please get in touch, if possible by Monday 27 August.

Childcare costs problems remain a clear impediment to work. The inquiry is our chance to press home our concerns to the DWP. We’d be really pleased to have your help to do this.

Thanks and best wishes

Dan