please help

newdaddio

Hi, i became a father 6 months ago and i need a bit of help regarding my girlfriend returning to work. i have looked on a few websites and cant really fine what i am looking for.

she is due to return back to work in 5-6 weeks, originally she worked full time (48 hours per week) but she is now going back part time. i have been told that it doesn't pay for her to work over 16 hours as we will not get any help from the governement and the benefits will stop but her work is only offering her 18 hours. will she be better off working the 18 hours and forfeting the benefits or is she better off quitting and getting another job with hours to suit?

to give you an idea of our situation here are our details
i earn £20k per year
my girlfriends wage is £6.29 per hour
we currently have a mortgage

many thanks for taking the time in reading this, your help will be much appreciated :beer:

karenx

You will only be entitled to child tax credits and no working tax credits. And with your joint income of just over 25k you will only be getting basic child tax credits. So its worth your partner working more. Even if she didnt return to work you arent going to get a great deal much more child tax credits. Certainly not enough to make up the money she is losing in wages

Caz3121

you dont mention if there are childcare costs

these are the entitlement tables that will give you a guide

no childcare
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/people-advise-others/entitlement-tables/work-and-child/work-no-childcosts.htm

childcare
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/people-advise-others/entitlement-tables/work-and-child/work-pay-childcare.htm

newdaddio

thank you very much for your responses, they have been most helpful.

for the next year or so there will be no childcare costs, this may change in the future though

alwaysonthego_2

Also try www.entitledto.co.uk for a rough guide.