Baby on the way

HMS

Hi All

My Mrs. is about to deliver in a week or so if all goes to plan.

Money is a little tight as I've just finished being a mature student and have only just started work. She is working and currently on Mat leave.

I'm struggling to see what extra help we can get and just can't seem to find the information I need written in plain English.

My question is therefore, what extra money/tax discounts will we become entitled to when the baby is delivered?

Thanks for your help in advance.

Bumpmakesfour

First of all good luck!
Have you gone onto http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx that should give you an idea of tax credits etc xx

Mupette

i would post this on benefits board, i 'think' you won't get anything until the bump is here.

cte1111

You are likely to be entitled to tax credits and child benefit.

Child benefit for the first child is £20.30 per week.

Tax credits depend on income and childcare costs. There are various online calculators that you can have a go at working out what you will get, but given the fact that you and your wife are both likely to earn a very different amount this year compared to last tax year, the figures will be tricky.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/TaxCredits/Paymentsandentitlement/entitlement/DG_181270

Good luck with your baby and finances.

barbiedoll

Get your wife to ask her midwife (or health visitor if the baby arrives early!) for a copy of "The Parent's guide to Money". It's a little book that gives details of any/all benefits to which you may be entitled. There are phone numbers and website addresses in there too, it's quite a handy thing to have at home, you won't know what has hit you in the next few weeks so try to get things sorted now if you can.


Good luck with the birth, I know it's an expensive time!

skintchick

barbiedoll wrote: »

Get your wife to ask her midwife (or health visitor if the baby arrives early!) for a copy of "The Parent's guide to Money". It's a little book that gives details of any/all benefits to which you may be entitled. There are phone numbers and website addresses in there too, it's quite a handy thing to have at home, you won't know what has hit you in the next few weeks so try to get things sorted now if you can.


Good luck with the birth, I know it's an expensive time!

She should have been given that at her booking in appointment, it's probably somewhere in your house.

You will get Child Benefit, and possibly tax credits. She should also have her maternity exemption card for free dental care and prescriptions.

As far as I am aware, you don't get anything else, but you can sign up to all the baby clubs to get free samples of things but I don;t thik you get verymuch out of them (and you do get a lot of spam).

summerday

Hi, good luck, we are expecting our first in a few weeks time as well.

I know it's not what you asked for exactly, but I would recommend you read a book called 'How to afford time off with your baby' or very similar title, borrow it from library. It has loads of tips on only spending what you need to and keeping costs down, as well as managing your money well with a baby. I didn't write it or anything, honestly!

jclm_2

hi
congrats!
i would recommend reusable/cloth nappies (buy second hand, even cheaper, from ebay or some of the other second hand nappy sites). these save a fortune but are quite an expense at the beginning. see https://www.clothnappytree.co.uk for more info.
good luck!
xxx

Racheldevon

Hi

Good advice above.

Also pop into your local sure start children's centre - every community has access to one, so have a look on google. They will also be able to provide you with advice/guidance on things you may be entitled to, along with access to a wide range of services/activities etc that you may want to take part in from 0-5 years.

Good luck