SMP and benefits

spendaload

I am currently on maternity leave (38 weeks pregnant) and am receiving SMP at a rate of £124.88 per week, I was made redundant at 29 weeks pregnant so will not have a job to return to but was lucky enough to get SMP from my previous employer.

What I am wondering is whether I can claim anything as we are really struggling at the moment to pay bills / mortgage etc.

I live with my partner who works full time and earns £18,000 but has only worked for his employer for 8 months. (previous to this he was out of work and we lived on our savings and my previous wage) We did not claim anything last tax year and thus spent all our savings on bills etc.

I know that I would be able to claim CTC and after completing a benefits check it says that I can claim WTC of £88.34 per week (surely this can not be correct)

Any help would be greatly appreciated as the benefits system is a confusing one and I would not want to claim anything that I am not entitled to!

Many thanks in advance.

lauzellen

What benefit checker did you use? The one i've used in the past and which has been pretty much spot on when i've had my awards is the turn2us one http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

There is an error on one of the benefit checkers atm and it is telling everyone they would get £88.34 a week WTC. Based on your figures with your partner working and you on SMP you will get around £65 CTC a week once baby is born and minimal WTC.

spendaload

Thanks for replying, I used the one on the DWP website. I will try to contact the job centre regarding IS etc. Why is the benefit system so confusing!!??