Can I get Income support on maternity?

Princess_Coupon

I will be going on maternity next year for 9 months. I am currently employed full time with a decent wage DH stays at home and looks after our 2 year old. When I go on maternity, due to starting this job only a few months ago I will only be entitled to maternity allowance which is £125 a week I will get some tax credits and child benefit but our income will still be very low could I also get income support? (we have a mortgage so housing benefit is out)

Princess_Coupon

Drat! guess I need an overdaft then as my mat pay won't even cover the mortgage:(


Edit: what happened to the post I replied to? it said my mat pay was too high, is that not true?

nannytone_2

only lone parents can get income support anyway. ( and carers)

Princess_Coupon

nannytone wrote: »

only lone parents can get income support anyway. ( and carers)

Direct.gov says couples can get it, are you sure?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018708

Indie_Kid

Princess_Coupon wrote: »

Direct.gov says couples can get it, are you sure?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018708

It depends on their circumstances.

Princess_Coupon

sh1305 wrote: »

It depends on their circumstances.

Do you have any idea if it applys in my circumstance?

Indie_Kid

Princess_Coupon wrote: »

Do you have any idea if it applys in my circumstance?

You're still employed if on ML, aren't you?

Princess_Coupon

Yes employed but not working

Francesanne

Princess_Coupon wrote: »

I will be going on maternity next year for 9 months. I am currently employed full time with a decent wage DH stays at home and looks after our 2 year old. When I go on maternity, due to starting this job only a few months ago I will only be entitled to maternity allowance which is £125 a week I will get some tax credits and child benefit but our income will still be very low could I also get income support? (we have a mortgage so housing benefit is out)

Couldn't your DH get a job while you're on maternity leave and able to look after your little one? would help bring in the extra money you'll need.

Princess_Coupon

Francesanne wrote: »

Couldn't your DH get a job while you're on maternity leave and able to look after your little one? would help bring in the extra money you'll need.

That's the first option but I don't need any help with that, I need help with finding out if we would qualify for anything else if he can't find one straight away or at all. We aren't work shy I have a full time job and get next to nothing in tax credits at the moment (as I'm still at work) but the big drop next year will be a shock and I'd like to be prepared

[Deleted User]

I don't know for sure but I very much doubt it as you would still be classed as fulltime employed. I know a girl I work with who is a single Mum tried to claim it whilst on Mat Leave and was turned down on the basis that she could still claim Tax Credit. When your new baby is born you will get extra Tax Credit plus it might be worth getting your new award based on current Years earning as they will be considerably lower than previous Year. If you can't manage on that and your other half can't find a job you may have to consider going back to work say after 6 weeks @ 90% has been paid. I know you might not want to do that but believe me, in my job I ma seeing more and more people doing this in the current economical climate :-( xx