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General all round benefits help! (newbie!)

Hey all!

I'm in a pre-emptive muddle because I keep stressing myself out with not being able to work this all out. In short:

I'm 21 years old
Will be married next month
have a walk-out combined income of £1800/4wks (13 pays a yr)
anddddd..... we're expecting our first child in january!

My partner and I do the same job so earn 900ish (after tax+ NI) each month. When I go on maternity leave my wage will drop leaving me with SMP which i think is about 550 or there abouts in total.

I wanted to know about what happens when i go back to work. My intention was to go back part time (16-20 hrs), my family are brilliant and will be able to provide childcare for the first while so that cost isn't a concern at the moment.

But how do WTC work, and what is working families tax credit (if thats different!) I have looked at the HMRC site and just got more confused. Would I get that/them upon my return to work, or only from April the following year? All figures I am able to calculate are just now based on my single, full time wages from april 10-11.

I'd like to know what to expect roughly in order to plan whether or not a full time return to work would be a more viable option. Does it make any difference that I live in Scotland? Not that I'm expecting payment in haggis or kilts but you know what govern-mental control is like over borders.

Also, to prevent harsh comments if possible: yes I know 21 is young, no it's not a shotgun wedding, no it wasnt planned but yes we will love him very much haha! Furthermore, I have been working and making NI contributions since 16 whilst obtaining a degree on a FT course in glasgow. And No, the degree hasnt proved at all useful quite frankly! :P

Sorry for the long post, and thanks!

Comments

  • On your current income of I think £23400 Net (I'm reading that you are paid 4 weekly?) you will not qualify for working tax credit. Only child benefit and child tax credit. Model different senario's on turn to us website. I had my Son at 21, not planned, not ideal, certainly not been easy as been a single Mum since he was 10 Months old and he is almost 12 now! But wouldn't change him for the World <3
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