income support & housing benefit

jojo_2012_2

The max you can go on leave for is 1 year. The whole point is that you do go back to work before your child is 1, which yes means putting the child in childcare, most people do this. Can you not negotiate to reduce your hours to part time?

If I decide not to go back from maternity leave without working a minimum of 3 months then I have to pay back all my occupational maternity leave. Don't you?

karenx

As your still in employment you wont be entitled to income suport. Even though its unpaid.

LL30

di.goby wrote: »

LL30- Thanks for advice. I understand that it will be beneficial for my little one to get to nursery asap, but just can't imagine sending 9 months old one to the nursery. he can't walk, talk etc. Plus my older one attends nursery for 3 hours a day. By the time I drop him off there and pick him up, thats at least 40minutes. Where am I ever going to find a job working for 2 hours a day?? I might consider extending his nursery hours and maybe sending little one to nursery as well in the near future but not at the moment. I need to think about how I am going to pay for my rent this month etc.

Have you rung your council? Do it asap and explain your circs - I've found mine very helpful as long as I've kept them up to date and been clear with them at every step. Also, talk to your landlord, the last thing you need is them knocking on the door when the rent hasn't been paid and they're expecting it. Although it's not ideal for the rent to be late, if you keep them informed, they are more understanding (well, they have been in my case!). Has this situation just happened very quickly? It doesn't seem like you're prepared for all of this and it does take time to apply for and receive benefits (just so you're aware).

It may seem at the moment that quitting your job and going on benefits is the answer, but I'd give yourself some more time to consider your situation. I've been on both sides of the fence (benefits very briefly, still get HB now even) and I know what side I'd rather be on. I am 10 x better off working (in more ways than in shear monetary terms). Tax credits will top up your income and help with childcare. IS is £67.50 a week, you rob Peter to pay Paul (wasn't on it long enough to experience this personally, but I've witnessed others) Provident and Brighthouse become appealing, because it can be such a struggle to make ends meet and then the washing machine breaks...

My lo is now 14 months, she can't walk, has just started crawling, can't talk (but can sign some words) and she gets on just fine at nursery. I spent a month doing settling in sessions (started off with just 1/2 hour at a time!) as I was worried about her. Due to her being born prem, she has medication and some developmental delay, and I had my knickers in a twist about it all -I really had no need! (Hindsight eh?)

One step at a time, sort your housing and then look at the entitledto calculator and try some figures to see how finances would work for both in and out of work.

nannytone_2

karen .. that isnt always the case.

my daughter had been back at work for a week when her youngest child (18 months old at the time) fell seriously ill. he spent 6 weeks in PICU and then another 6 weeks on the ward. my daughter was off work for 9 months in total.

her employer kept her job open for her, so she was still employed. but as she had only wprked there for a week, she received no pay. Instead she claimed , and was awarded, Income Support even though she had an employer.