extended maternity benefits

Correllia

Good afternoon everyone

Just wondered if anyone could offer a bit of advice.

I am lucky enough to get 6 months maternity leave on full pay from my employer, but was also hoping to take an additional 6 months unpaid (which they are happy for me to do).

My OH and I have been saving to make this possible, but he is on a far lower salary than me (about £800 per month, which barely covers the mortgage!), so was wondering if we would be eligible to apply for any benefits just to tide us over (eg tax credits, wouldn't be looking for JSA, as I would be returning to my job), as we will only have his income, or whether the benefits people would simply tell me to get my lazy self back to work!

Any advice greatfully appreciated

Sam_Bee

Have you applied for Child Tax Credits? Also, Council Tax Benefit etc, and Income Support?

callansdad

Once the baby is born you should receive Child Tax Credits and possibly Working Tax as well. Once you are told how much Child Tax you will be getting apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant which is a one off payment of £500. You will also recieve Child Benefit which i think is £17.50 per week. HTH

Anthillmob

i hope it works out for you. i was in a similar situation but had to return to work earlier as we were just over the threshold for ctb and hb and couldnt afford for me to stay at home.

amibovered?

Hi

I read somewhere that there were some changes to how long SMP would be paid if your baby is due on or after 1st April 2007. Anyone know any more?

Good luck

callansdad

Apparantly maternity pay will be extended from 26 weeks to 39 weeks for babies due on or after the 1st of April. There are also changes being made to the day in which you can start maternity pay. As it stands now maternity pay is paid from the Sunday following your last day of work but as of 1st April 07 it will be paid from the day after the last day of work.

india

Alot of organisation still don't know how exactly the new law will be implemented. My baby is due at the end of April and at the moment my work can only tell me about the current maternity entilement not what I will actually be entilted to next year.

highland

These websites have loads of info Acas & Tiger . HTH

india

This website is very helpful

http://www.dti.gov.uk/employment/employment-legislation/employment-guidance/page34236.html