What/are we entitled to anything?

Reason123

Hey guys, im new to benefits/entitlements as ive been lucky enough so far to not require them.

I work full time currently earning 28k.
My partner is currently full time earning 19k.
We are now expecting our first child.

So what now?

What are the pro's/con's about my partner going back to work full time, part time, or stay at home mother?

What would we be entitled to noting the 3 options for my partner?
WTC, CTC, Child support, Income support etc?

Many thanks for any advice/direction given.

PS - Im scared!

DaisyFlower

On your salary alone you earn too much for WTC but would get the family element of tax credits which is approx £10 a week. IS would not even if she doesnt return to work. The family element of tax credits changes soon though so if your gf goes back full time you wont get the £10 a week.

You need to figure out if you can live on your salary alone before your partner quits work. If she leaves work, you need to factor in that it will be far harder to gain employment in future.

MrsBartolozzi

https://www.turn2us.entitledto.co.uk/entitlementcalculator.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Put your details into this benefit checker as if your child was already here and you'll find out. You can then play around with income details and see which scenario works best for you.
Obviously things will change after April, but once you have an idea how the tax credits work the new rates for 2011/12 can be found here: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/rates/taxcredits.htm.

MrsManda

As well as the benefits checker above also use the one below as it's a good way of double checking.

https://www.dwpe-services.direct.gov.uk/portal/page/portal/ba/lp?_piref278_36249_278_36248_36248.__ora_navig=

Also if your partner is gets Occupational Maternity Pay, i.e. maternity pay above SMP then she needs to check her contract as many contracts state that if you don't go back to work you may be required to repay the OMP minus what she'd get had she just received SMP.

Reason123

Thanks for the above.
The first link said we recieve GBP 21 per week tax credit (assume on my salary?) and we will get GBP 20 child benefit. (Assumed paid monthly into an account of our choice?)
This sum stays the same whether my partner works or not.

The 2nd link says -
GBP 65.17 per week child tax credit
GBP 88.34 per week working tax credit
0 council tax benefit
GBP 20.30 per week child benefit.

Quite a difference?

Indie_Kid

After April, your joint income would be too high for CTC. (cut off would be £40k)

Reason123

So if she goes back part time / 3 days per week, her income would be 10.7k plus my 28k, we come just under the 40k cut off and therefore get CTC?

mrsspendalot

I think the threshold for CTC for only one child will come down lower than that still though under the plans, but maybe not until the year after. I found the changes very confusing to be honest.

Don't forget that for the time she is on maternity pay you can deduct £100 week off her income when estimating it for tax credit purposes, which would reduce your joint income initially, and maybe put you under the threshold to be entitled.

lauzellen

Firstly, congratulations! You will get £20 per week child benefit (Paid every 4 weeks) regardless. With respect to other benefits you will not get much help whether just based on your income or yours and your partners. You need to decide what you can afford firstly and consider if your partner went back to work what childcare arrangements are avaliable to you.

shellsuit

Reason123 wrote: »

Thanks for the above.
The first link said we recieve GBP 21 per week tax credit (assume on my salary?) and we will get GBP 20 child benefit. (Assumed paid monthly into an account of our choice?)
This sum stays the same whether my partner works or not.

The 2nd link says -
GBP 65.17 per week child tax credit
GBP 88.34 per week working tax credit
0 council tax benefit
GBP 20.30 per week child benefit.

Quite a difference?

Something has gone wrong there as there is no way you would be entitled to £88.34 working tax credit.

plymouthargylebird

shellsuit wrote: »

Something has gone wrong there as there is no way you would be entitled to £88.34 working tax credit.

It quotes £88.34 a week for me as well.