Can I get Income support on maternity?

Indie_Kid

Princess_Coupon wrote: »

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

Why can't he work now? At least that way you'll have some money when you go on ML.

Your maternity pay is more than what the government says you need to live. Plus, as you're still employed, you won't be entitled either.

Tigsteroonie

Up until April 2010, you could claim an additional Adult Dependency increase on your MA to allow for the fact that your partner isn't working or claiming in his own right - we got this, I think it was £38/wk - but unfortunately they have done away with this payment.

Your partner should sign on for income-based JSA. I don't know if he'll be entitled to any payment, I suspect not because the MA is already above the minimum that we apparently need to live on; but at least he'd get help with jobhunting and hopefully get a job very quickly.

This link http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/DebtsAndArrears/DG_10013261 is to the government's page on help available with mortgage payments. I don't know if you'd qualify.

As Joanne says, contact Tax Credits and ask them to carry out a re-assessment based on this year's projected (total) income as opposed to the previous years. You may be entitled to more.

And consider returning to work sooner, as somebody suggests. You have a job to return to, whereas your partner needs to find a job. He can be a fulltime househusband for a while, you could then take a period of unpaid leave to be with your child once he's found a job.

Princess_Coupon

sh1305 wrote: »

Why can't he work now? At least that way you'll have some money when you go on ML.

My husband has a very low earning potential hence why he looks after our toddler and I work.
If he got a job now his salary would pretty much swallowed up by childcare, and as my daughter sees a couple of specialists on a regular basis it would be quite difficult.

Princess_Coupon

sh1305 wrote: »

Your maternity pay is more than what the government says you need to live. Plus, as you're still employed, you won't be entitled either.

£500 a month is enough for a family of 4 to live on including housing costs, council tax, energy bills, food etc?

Princess_Coupon

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

Up until April 2010, you could claim an additional Adult Dependency increase on your MA to allow for the fact that your partner isn't working or claiming in his own right - we got this, I think it was £38/wk - but unfortunately they have done away with this payment.

Pity just my luck.
I get the feeling I need to be unemployed in a council house to get any help, never mind we'll manage. I've discovered you can work for 2 weeks while on Mat leave so I think I'll go in 1 day a month that will be an extra £120 a month, and fingers crossed he gets something even min wage p/t.

OrkneyStar

Princess_Coupon wrote: »

£500 a month is enough for a family of 4 to live on including housing costs, council tax, energy bills, food etc?

But surely you get tax credits (which might increase as your income for the years including the maternity leave will be a lot less- I know you subtract about £100 per week when calculating total income if it is Stat. Mat Pay but not sure about Mat Allowance), child benefit (which will also increase with second child) also ?
You might be entitled to some council tax benefit ?
Have you not been saving up toward this time ? Did you not think about the cost implications of another baby.
As for income support I doubt it, as you will be classified as working.
All the best.

Indie_Kid

OrkneyStar wrote: »

As for income support I doubt it, as you will be classified as working.
All the best.

SMP / MA are too much per week to get IS.

£500 a month is enough for a family of 4 to live on including housing costs, council tax, energy bills, food etc?

You may get help with your council tax.