HELP 2 babies in 14 mnths now cant return to work what can i claim ?

moneysavingfamilycomp

hi im having a mini panic attack so hope someone can help. i have a dd who is 6 mnths old and was due to return to work in sept when she is 13 mnths old and put her in private nursery. iv just found out this morning that im expecting again and baby is due oct. my maternity leave ends in aug (i work in a school so not due back till sept) i normally work 22hrs per week just over 4 hrs per day. i think im going to have to give up work as i dont think we can afford to put 2 children into nursery (itll cost more than i earn) and also im not sure i could cope with 2 babies and working !

we did plan to have another child and werent 'preventing' it but as it took so long to get preg with dd, iv been breastfeeding, and im 37 we didnt expect it to happen this quick. i was kind of expecting to have about a year back at work before i needed to start another maternity leave.

so although im delighted im panicking about money. i know we cant afford to live off OHs wage it covers mortgage, insurances etc but wont cover all the other bills. i know we will get child benefit and probably more tax credits but not sure how much more.

sorry for the long post im just freaking out.

[Deleted User]

firstly congratulations now take a deep breath.

I've a 15 month age gap and even though its been hard its also been amazing. I didn't go back to work for the same reasons you've suggested and only in the last year have i been working a couple of evenings.

We didn't think we'd manage financially but we did and now i love the fact i have two children just over a year apart who are into very similar things and entertain each other. My younger one has learnt how to do things and been brought on faster by the age gap.

Can any of your bills or insurances be reassessed or put on hold for a year or so?

freda

Try entitledto.co.uk for working out benefits. It all depends how much your husband earns?

Have you done a spending diary recently? Always helps to track to the penny for a couple of months, so you can see where your money is really going.

Go through all your bank statements to check you are paying the right amount in direct debits on things, and not paying for things you don't need.

Shop around for insurances, phone, broadband, gas and elec etc.

Consider losing or reducing any expensive Sky, mobile phones etc.

The second baby shouldn't cost too much - do you have all the stuff from your first still? Start asking around now for hand me down clothes as if you find someone with a child about 8m-1year or so older who is willing to hand down clothes, you won't need much in the way of clothes.

Remember that not working will mean that some costs go down - travel, maybe lunches etc - but some will go up. For example, you'll have to heat the house for the whole day, you'll spend a little for toddler groups etc etc. Do a budget for when the baby is here, so you know what you are aiming at.

fannyanna

Can you start your next lot of maternity leave early so that it starts as soon as your current maternity ends. That's what someone has done where I work. Plus you will have accrued a whole years holiday whilst you've been off on maternity so that's nearly a months worth.

[Deleted User]

That's unhelpful and unkind. Even if the OP had waited a couple of years she would still be entitled to claim child benefit and child tax credit on her second child. She isn't looking to be bailed out, merely panicking and looking for reassurance and advice.

Seeing as you can't provide those maybe you should stop reading.

USM

Thanks for sharing your views - you're as entitled to them as I am.

This forum has become a place where the truth isn't fashionable, we're all full of hugs and great advice on getting what you're entitled to but nobody wants to ask, or answer tough questions.

[Deleted User]

But your tone isn't very pleasant, its not about answering tough questions, its about replies being considerate, helpful and nicely written.

Of course your entitled to your views, but in this situation its not helpful and you come across as rude.

Martin does state that we should be nice to each other and posts shouldn't be rude etc.

jellyhead

Look on entitledto, as suggested but check the rules about maternity pay because you might not have to include it as income, so they might assess you on just your husband's income, or his and a portion of yours.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/tc600-notes.pdf

I think you are entitled to deduct up to £100 per week from your income.

mishkanorman

USM wrote: »

Thanks for sharing your views - you're as entitled to them as I am.

This forum has become a place where the truth isn't fashionable, we're all full of hugs and great advice on getting what you're entitled to but nobody wants to ask, or answer tough questions.

I think the more disturbing trend on the forums seems to be the need for judging and pulling apart everything an OP states.

It is someone lifes not a chance to peer down at them from your high horse, if you cant offer advice on the subject at hand why feel the need to put the boot in ?

OP,

Firstly congratulations ! I had 2 children fairly close together and found it meant we didnt need to buy everything from scratch. Look at how you can lower your outgoings and you may be able to reshuffle enough to cover the loss of your earnings !

jellyhead

She's only found out today and is having a panic about finances. She is asking for financial advice, not to be advised on abortion or family planning!

kj*daisy

Don't give up work just yet, go back and work at the end of this leave until you go on the next mat leave. You will then get mat pay etc as usual. Only at the end of your second mat pay do you have to decide if you are going back, if you don't you may have to pay back any additional maternity pay above the statutory minimum, but if you think you might not go back you can usually elect not to take the additional so you don't have to pay it back. Good luck.