Will I be able to get income support on my maternity leave, single mum?

amcraig

Hi. My husband upped and left me while I was on maternity leave after the birth of my second. I was really worried I was suddenly going to have to pay all bills etc while I was on SMP.

However, I was able to apply for WTC and CTC. I hadn't applied before (because as a couple we were over the threshold for claiming) so initially had to claim based on my previous years salary (about £27k) then phone up to explain my income would be greatly reduced and give an estimate of what I thought my income would actually be. Make sure you mention you are on maternity leave because you get an extra allowance while you are on the paid part of maternity leave that's factored into their calculations. It was all a bit complicated but worth doing as the money kept me afloat until I could go back to work.

The only problem I forsee is that I think you have to be in receipt of child benefit before you can claim so if you start your maternity leave a lot earlier than your due date I'm not sure what would happen. I'd give them a call. They were really quite helpful on the phone.

I'd also urge you to think about claiming maintenance from the child's dad. If you don't want to deal with him then go through the CSA. The money is not taken into account as income for tax credits so financially it is the most logical step (although I appreciate emotionally it might not be so easy).

HTH.

Alison

karenx

The baby has to be born to be able to claim the tax credits and child benefit.

OP you may get a small amount of working tax credits also before you go back to work. And that may cease depending on your income when back at work

And yes you and meny others have paid their taxes etc but you are getting all you are entitled to with regards to SMP and maternity leave. Its the same as everybody else. So no need to say you arent getting help when you need it. Before baby is born you get SMP, after baby is born you get child benefit and child tax credits