New Family

Amnesia180

Hi all,

I'm in the RAF as an LAC and my wife is soon to expect our first child, whilst we're over the moon with the news we're worried financially.

Is there anywhere we can find out further options with regard to benefit of working vs non-working wife etc etc etc.

Early days yet but any advice would be very helpful

Thanks,
Amnesia

Gonzo33

Try having a look here for information on what benefits she will be entitled to:

http://www.citizensadvice.co.uk/getadvice/Benefit-Calculator/A2B-Benefit-Calculator/

I don't know if it includes Tax Credits or not, so if it does not run through the same options here:

http://taxcredits.hmrc.gov.uk/Qualify/DIQHousehold.aspx

Don't forget you will get Child Benefit, which is currently £20.30 per week which is paid 4 weekly.

Child Care will be your biggest expenditure. http://www.childcare.co.uk/ will give you a rough estimate of cost if you look in your area.

If you are overseas then it will be slightly different.

Racheldevon

Hi, have a look on google for your local sure start children's centre, and give them a call/arrange to visit (every community now has access to their services). The centres provide free support, guidance and services to families with a child from the antenatal period until 5 years, you may find your antenatal classes are held there. There will be people who can advise you on the financial side of things

Alias_Omega

Welcome to the forum,

The MSE Forum has a section above this related to Benefits, a specific post maybe more helpful in that section.


I would ensure no delays to promotion to SAC, as every little helps.

peteuk

Amnesia,

Hope everything is OK, try not to worry about benefits we found it really easy to sort out. The Tax Credit system was set up to encourage people to return to work, they even give you extra in the first year.

If you need child care there is a child care element in the payment. Which again is designed to encourage you to go to work.

Dont forget your perturnity leave! I had to take a weeks unpaid leave when my first one was born. And now I find im doing 22 and 5 days!!!!! to pay it back.

Good luck

Pete

helsee

peteuk wrote: »

Amnesia,

Hope everything is OK, try not to worry about benefits we found it really easy to sort out. The Tax Credit system was set up to encourage people to return to work, they even give you extra in the first year.

If you need child care there is a child care element in the payment. Which again is designed to encourage you to go to work.

Dont forget your perturnity leave! I had to take a weeks unpaid leave when my first one was born. And now I find im doing 22 and 5 days!!!!! to pay it back.

Good luck

Pete

if the extra in the first year you mention is the baby element its been scrapped now.

To the op its easier said then done but try not to worry about it, we have four little people and find each time the finances just juggle about and then settle down and it all comes together!

peteuk

helsee wrote: »

if the extra in the first year you mention is the baby element its been scrapped now.

To the op its easier said then done but try not to worry about it, we have four little people and find each time the finances just juggle about and then settle down and it all comes together!

Sorry I was not aware they had stopped this, didnt mean to mis inform anyone.

Pete

Amnesia180

Hi All,

Thank you for the help. I'm just worried that because this is the first posting my partner will be moving in with me, we'll struggle on around £18k (a single income). Obviously she will be looking to get into work, however - when our child arrives, I'm not sure she will be working or not.

I think I will look on base for advice too regarding child card should she choose to go back to work.

Thanks for the help and any other advice is greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!

Redouble

I had my daughter when I was an SAC (newly promoted) and survived more than easily on £700 a month (finances were separate then as it was an unexpected and VERY early into our relationship!)
I'm presuming you won't have long until that promotion. I survived easily. However to be a family, my partner and I had to get married. (so we could live in quarters) thankfully it worked out okay for us, I know of many couples who did the same and sadly their relationship did not stay the course
I am NOT saying go get married, but I am not sure if the 'rules' on who can get SFA are still the same so may be worth asking.
CTC and child benefit help enormously so apply for everything, including working tax credit.

Feel free to pm me if you need to, but I am certain you will be fine, it is doable.

And congratulations!

Redouble

Amnesia180 wrote: »

Hi All,

Thank you for the help. I'm just worried that because this is the first posting my partner will be moving in with me, we'll struggle on around £18k (a single income). Obviously she will be looking to get into work, however - when our child arrives, I'm not sure she will be working or not.

I think I will look on base for advice too regarding child card should she choose to go back to work.

Thanks for the help and any other advice is greatly appreciated.

Many thanks!

You can get the child care credits (I can't remember the technical terms) and many bases have nurseries on or near base that are partially funded so much cheaper than normal (we currently pay £9.16 for a 3 hour morning session for a 2 year old and £8.01 for an afternoon session, including lunch, for a 3 year old)

Amnesia180

Hi All,

Thanks for the great replies... I am married to my wife so getting a MQ will be fine :-)

Thanks again!