little one due in 3 weeks- what benefits can i apply for?

k7_c

Hello everyone,

Im new to this site and find it really interesting!

Anyway, am new to the whole benefit entitlement. i have been on 'entitled to' but cannot use it in our situation as my partner is a student. Just wondering if any of you can advise me if it is worth making a claim? Baby is due in 3 weeks.

i earn approx £25000 per year before tax. my mat pay is 6 weeks at 90% and then SMP. My partner is a student, he is studying for a PHD. He gets a bursary which is tax free of £13000 per year. We are both 25yrs.

Pregnancy has come as a little 'surprise for us'. We were planning on buying a house this summer, and as such have savings of around £17000.

Thank you in advance for any advice you are able to provide.

zagfles

You'll get child benefit and child tax credit, see the HMRC site. Probably just the family element for CTC (£545 a year) plus the baby element until April (when it's scrapped). Maybe a little more if they don't count your partners income (tax free income isn't usually counted).

Your savings won't matter, although any interest over £300 will be added to the income you're assessed on.

GlasweJen

You wont be eligable for housing or council tax benefits as your combined incomes are too high and you have savings over £16k.

You can claim child benefit and child tax credits. If your partner is not working 16 hours or more per week you wont be able to claim help with childcare fees when you return to work (studying doesn't count, it has to be employment).