Not returning to work after maternity leave.

Jennifer30

I was wondering if i am likely to get any benifits if i choose not to go back to work after my maternity leave is over? My husband is self employed and has a variable income. I cant seem to find anyone who knows! agh!:(

mum-of-3

What does your husband earn a year approx?

karenx

You personally wouldnt be able to get any extra benefits like income support or JSA.
If your partner works over 16 hours per week and earns less than 17k PA you will get working tax credits, ontop of your child tax credits and child benefit

ManicMum

I don't think you would as you would be making yourself intentionally unemployed. As someone else has said if your other half is earning over a certain amount you won't get anything. Have you thought about becoming a childminder or something else you can do at home?

OrkneyStar

karenx wrote: »

You personally wouldnt be able to get any extra benefits like income support or JSA.
If your partner works over 16 hours per week and earns less than 17k PA you will get working tax credits, ontop of your child tax credits and child benefit

ManicMum wrote: »

I don't think you would as you would be making yourself intentionally unemployed. As someone else has said if your other half is earning over a certain amount you won't get anything. Have you thought about becoming a childminder or something else you can do at home?

I did not go back to work after having DS, despite thinking I might. As my hubby is on a low wage we get: WTC, CTC and child benefit, along with DH wages. Karen mentions the criteria to qualify for WTC, also the income will affect how much CTC you will get, and Child Benefit is of course not means tested. You will not be penalised for not returning to work and do not have to pay back statutory maternity pay (or maternity allowance I don't think!), however any contractual maternity pay may have to be paid (you would have been advised of this/signed something when you went on mat leave!).
All the best.

Grimbo_Green

Hi

My sister was in a similar situation as you - went on maternity leave, she didnt go back afterwards and her OH only earned £17k per year (although not self employed).
She wasnt entitled to income support or jobseekers allowance (as she wasnt looking for work) but she was able to claim housing and council tax benefit. She received something like £40 per week (housing and ctax benefit together) plus they received child tax credit (but not working tax credits) which was around £10 per week (for 1 child) and they also received child benefit which obviously everyone with a child is entitled to which is £20 per week. So in total they got £70 per week plus her OH wage.
His wage was right at the top of the limit so if he earned anymore than they wouldnt have got housing or ctax benefit.
Go into your local council office and see what they say. Just say you wont be returning because of family circumstances.

Robbie64

OrkneyStar wrote: »

I did not go back to work after having DS, despite thinking I might. As my hubby is on a low wage we get: WTC, CTC and child benefit, along with DH wages. Karen mentions the criteria to qualify for WTC, also the income will affect how much CTC you will get, and Child Benefit is of course not means tested. You will not be penalised for not returning to work and do not have to pay back statutory maternity pay (or maternity allowance I don't think!), however any contractual maternity pay may have to be paid (you would have been advised of this/signed something when you went on mat leave!).
All the best.

in order to get around having to pay back any wages the OP just needs to return to work. Going back for one day may be enough. However, going back and then resigning a few days later (for example) may then have an effect on qualifying for any JSA. But giving up the job without returning may have thie effect anyway.

To the OP: can you not go back part time or do you want to quit altogether? If the latter is it just the job you don't want to return to or are you wanting a period out of work to stay at home and look after your baby? If the latter then you'll probably not get JSA anyway as you would most likely fail the available for work test.

karenx

OP has said she has chosen not to return to work, therefore JSA isnt an option.

OrkneyStar

Grimbo_Green wrote: »

Hi

My sister was in a similar situation as you - went on maternity leave, she didnt go back afterwards and her OH only earned £17k per year (although not self employed).
She wasnt entitled to income support or jobseekers allowance (as she wasnt looking for work) but she was able to claim housing and council tax benefit. She received something like £40 per week (housing and ctax benefit together) plus they received child tax credit (but not working tax credits) which was around £10 per week (for 1 child) and they also received child benefit which obviously everyone with a child is entitled to which is £20 per week. So in total they got £70 per week plus her OH wage.
His wage was right at the top of the limit so if he earned anymore than they wouldnt have got housing or ctax benefit.
Go into your local council office and see what they say. Just say you wont be returning because of family circumstances.

Just to say we earn less than your sister's family, but are not entitled to Council Tax or Housing Benefit, so it does depend on things other than income obviously!
We are on a tight budget but manage and I see it as worth it to bring up DS.

tigtag02

Robbie64 wrote: »

in order to get around having to pay back any wages the OP just needs to return to work. Going back for one day may be enough. However, going back and then resigning a few days later (for example) may then have an effect on qualifying for any JSA. But giving up the job without returning may have thie effect anyway.

To the OP: can you not go back part time or do you want to quit altogether? If the latter is it just the job you don't want to return to or are you wanting a period out of work to stay at home and look after your baby? If the latter then you'll probably not get JSA anyway as you would most likely fail the available for work test.

This will depend on the company policy.

[Deleted User]

tigtag02 wrote: »

This will depend on the company policy.

It will indeed. I know I will have to return for at least 3 months after maternity or repay 12 weeks of Occupational Maternity Pay. Oh and wont be entilted to maternity pay again until I have worked those 3 months.