
Parent template letter for Universal Credit
We have been approached by a number of nurseries where parents have had their Universal Credit Childcare payments reduced as a result of the updated charging guidance from DfE.
These settings report that parents are being told meals and consumables are optional charges and as a result, will no longer be accepted as part of their Universal Credit childcare payments.
Nationally we have taken this to officials in the Department for Education and Minister at the Department for Work and Pensions to urge them to resolve this situation and ensure families on Universal Credit are not disadvantaged in this way.
As this is a decision relating to a parent’s personal benefit claims, we have developed a template letter which they can use to raise the situation with their MP directly who will be able to ask questions of the DWP on the parents’ behalf.
Download your template letter below.

You may want to check the sections of the letter relating to meals and snacks so that it aligns with the policies and procedures you have in place at your setting.
- Department for Education
- early years
- England
- funding
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