Maternity leave questions?

carlih1

Hi, i am currently on maternity leave. I am not recieving any pay because it has stopped, i am not due to go back to work until april. I am currently getting child tax and working tax credits. I have called the jobcentre to see if i am entitled to any benefits they said i am not but my partner can claim jobseekers. Does this mean i cannot claim free school meals because i am still technically employed? and recieving working tax.

Also i am probably not going to go back to this job. I am unsure as to what will happen if i end my employment now with regards to my tax credits and if i could then claim jobseekers. We are living on a very low income at the moment with three children but it seems i cannot claim things for the children becausei am still employed? I am looking to setup my own business but these things take time.
Any help would be appreciated

Carli x

karenx

So has your maternity pay finished and your on unpaid leave? If so, then you shouldnt be claiming working tax credits as your not working, especially if your not going to go back to work at all. So depends how much you have had you will have an overpayment that will need to be paid back
Is your partner working? If not he might be able to claim JSA but depends on what his NI credits are like. If your not activly seeking work then you cant claim JSA but you can go on his claim as his partner but you wouldnt recieve any money for it

seasidegirl80

Hiya Im on Maternity Leave and am also due back to work in April. If your not going back to work you shouldnt have been claiming Working Tax credits throughout your Maternity Leave, you can only carry on claiming WTC during maternity leave if you are going back to work!

carlih1

I havent yet decided i am looking into childcare, which would be ok for baby, but when the other two are on holidays it would cost too much. They said as i am employed i can claim working tax credits. Is there someone i can call to discuss what i should do.? I have spoken to the jobcentre who said i couldnt claim anything

karenx

Yes but is it unpaid leave you are on just now? If so then you cant get working tax credits.
With childcare you will get 80% paid for you but up to a max of £175 per week for 1 child.

seasidegirl80

most employees now offer flexible working patterns to fit into your life with your children, will this be possible? You will also get help with childcare costs in the holidays aswell as childcare costs with baby.

seasidegirl80

Yoe def need to contact WTC as you shouldnt be recieving this.

carlih1

Ok i will do that today, my mat pay has only just stopped which is why i am looking into my options right now, my work is either from 8 till 1 or 1 till six either way i would need childcare and with the money they give you it doesnt cover it because baby is under one and the children are too old for a nursery so would have to go seperate.

karenx

Call now, you need to give them the date of your last payment so they can adjust your award and take back any overpayments.
As I previously said, they will give you 80% of the childcare, up to £175 per week. Anything above that you need to pay youself.
Unless you end your employment then you cant claim JSA, but you may be sanctioned for up to 26 weeks for voluntarily leaving.
Do you rent? You could get help with that

DaisyFlower

If you only work 5 hours a day, then you could carry on working whilst setting up your own business and if its successful hand in your notice. Your OH would be able to do the childcare if not working - child tax credits will only pay for childcare if you are both working.

Not sure re your comment about not being able to claim for the children as you are already getting child tax credits (the WTC will need to stop from the moment you go to unpaid maternity leave) and I presume child benefit.