DWP updates Universal Credit payment rates to reflect new change for parents last month

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has updated Universal Credit payment rates for 2023/24 after the implementation of a rule change last month that will see parents with children aged one and two, invited to attend more face-to-face meetings with work coaches to help them prepare for employment.

The DWP said the meetings will increase the opportunity to engage and encourage claimants to think about a job in the future, consider the steps they can take and secure jobs when their child is older.

Universal Credit claimants will be told of the change at their next scheduled appointment with their work coach. The newly updated payment guidance on GOV.UK state shows that the maximum amounts you can get towards childcare expenses with Universal Credit increased from £646.35 a month to £950.92 a month for one child and from £1,108.04 a month to £1,630.15 a month for two or more children.The DWP said that helping parents return to work is part of the UK Government’s continued efforts to drive down economic inactivity and get Britain working to grow the economy. The changes now in place are: The change builds on support announced in June to boost childcare payments through Universal Credit by 47 per cent and ensures working parents can get upfront childcare costs paid for.Parents can now receive up to 85 per cent of childcare costs back before their next month’s bills are due - meaning they should have money to pay one month in advance going forward.This is part of the largest expansion in free childcare in history by the UK Government, worth £6,500 a year for an average working family using 30 hours a week. Standard allowance Couple Child amounts Disabled child additions Limited Capability for Work Carer amount Chil