Advice for childcare payments for child receiving DLA

prudence3456
prudence3456 Community Member Posts: 2 Listener
edited July 19 in Universal Credit (UC)

Hi, hope everyone is doing well!!
I am in a couple and I work full time whilst my partner works self employed and receives carers allowance for our son who gets DLA.

This month we have been declined childcare for our son as they said the cost is excessive and my partner should care for him as he is his carer. We also have another child in childcare who does not receive DLA with exactly the same cost that has not been deemed excessive.

The childcare is on a yearly contract so if we pull him out for summer holidays then he is at risk (and likely) to lose his place for September.

I just wondered if anyone had heard of this situation before as they are basically saying that if you receive carers allowance for your disabled child they are then not eligible for any childcare outside of the home.

I feel it is a bit discriminatory that my other child is able to participate in holiday clubs etc but my disabled child is expected to remain at home and be looked after by my partner who then cannot work as much in self employment.

Thanks for any and all replies!

Comments

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Posts: 5,172 Scope Online Community Children and Family Specialists

    Hi @prudence3456 and a warm welcome to the community from me!

    Unfortunately I haven't come across this before so I'm not 100% sure but I’m hoping some of our other members who have will jump in soon with their own experiences and advice.

    In the meantime, it might also be worth reaching out to the Carer's Allowance Unit or CONTACT helpline as they might be able to give you some definitive guidance.

    This sounds like a really stressful situation and I hope you get a solid answer soon!

  • prudence3456
    prudence3456 Community Member Posts: 2 Listener

    Hi,

    Thank you for your lovely reply!

    I will reach out to the organisations you mentioned and update when I get more information


    thanks again 😊