Entitled to on Mat leave?

vodkagirl001

MJMum wrote:

I'm sure that you know this already, but don't forget your:

- free dental work and
- free prescriptions (if you get on well with your GP be sure to see them for EVERYTHING to get your medicine cabinet stocked up!)

LOL I've already had the free dental work!!

Gambler

Becles wrote:

Child Tax Credits, payable to anyone with a child and earning under approx £54K. There are some rules for new babies, where you get double for the first year, and I think the entitlement level is slightly higher.

Childcare Element - payable for working parents with childcare costs. However as your wife is staying home, you'll not be entitled to this


Pop your salary into www.entitledto.co.uk and it will give you a rough idea of what you should be getting.

It was playing around with entitledto yesterday which made me think we had missed out.

We have claimed for childcare in the past when mum was working (for our 8yr old daughter).

Income is under £54K and our new son was born in May-06 so looks like we would be entitled here but I was also reading about the 3 month rule which prompted my question have we missed out.

The really should make these things clearer. Of course we knew we could claim child benefit when he was born but nobody told us we could claim tax credits.

vodkagirl001

yes I agree they don't make these things easy or clear on how to claim when your working!

And don't get me started on the rant about getting taxed on SMP (which I didn't realise!!!)

Ive spoken to a close friend who has just had a baby who is currently on SMP and our Joint incomes with our partners are nearly the same so I know roughly what I will get

SMP (after the first 6 weeks) £108 (and a few pence) before tax PW
Child Benefit : £18.10 p/w
Tax Credit : £23.00 (ish) for the first 1year then it drops by approx 50%

I have not looked in to child care yet for when I come back to work, who know what if anything I will be entitled to - good job I work shifts so the minder needed will be minimal!!

I won't get started on with ranting on how full time workers get screwed when it comes to having a baby lol