Some questions for a kind benefits expert?? Pretty please

gemma1984

I have a few questions I feel I need to get my head around before we try and apply for any benefits we may be entitled to when our baby arrives at the beginning of November. I'm sorry if I come across a bit clueless about it all, but to be honest that's really what I am, and I'm quite worried about it.

1.) How long after applying for any benefits does it usually take to be paid anything?
2.) I have persisted and persisted and tried to get the hang of the entitled to calculator but am never sure if I've done it right so Im always scared to try and make up a new budget from that. Is there are more comprehensive more sure fire way of finding out now exactly what we will be entitled to in a month or so's time?
3.) My husband works full time but only earns £15kpa, I am on maternity leave and was also on £15kpa and I now recieve the minimum all companies have to pay 6 weeks 90% then SMP. We own our own home and both have student loans. Can anyone give me a rough idea of what we could claim for and how much it could amount to on a monthly basis?
4.) How do you go about claiming for anything when you don't know what you are entitled to- do we go to a job centre?

I really really really appreciate ANY help here as my stupid pregnancy brain is sending me in to a real spin with all of this!!!!

suelees1

Try your local CAB or other welfare benefit/debt advisors.
It's difficult for anyone on here to do without knowing all your details

http://www.clsdirect.org.uk/en/directory/directorysearch.jsp

DaisyFlower

On a combined salary of £30k you woulg get basic tax credits of £545 a year £42 a month approx but extra £50 baby element in first year) - plus £18 family allowance a week.

Takes around 6-12 weeks to get them set up as you need the birth certificate first.

gemma1984

Thanks for those replies you two, I really do appreicate it.

Can I ask you Daisyflower- if I do not return to work and we are in effect living on the one salary of £15k will those benefits go up by much at all?

(I fully appreciate you can't give me full details as I haven't given you all the info etc)

Thank you both once again
xxx

[Deleted User]

DaisyFlower wrote: »

On a combined salary of £30k you woulg get basic tax credits of £545 a year £42 a month approx but extra £50 baby element in first year) - plus £18 family allowance a week.

Takes around 6-12 weeks to get them set up as you need the birth certificate first.

the £545 is the baby element paid for the first 12 months,everyone with a joint income below 66k gets this.