when maternity leave ends...

fluffycloud123

Hi guys and gals:)

Im new here so please be gentle with me. ok i need some help with regards to what is the best way forward for me, will give you some background info on me and my situation.

im currently married and living in a private rented property and now have a successful ivf baby 19 weeks old. im due back to work on feb 1st. now my dilema is if i go back to my contract (40 hrs) then i will have to put my baby into nursery so im fearing that i wont have a penny left of my wage and trusting someone else with her (she will be 9 months old). ooorrr could i maybe drop my contract to part time and try and claim some sort of help?

currently the only thing im entitled to is child benefit and nothing else as apparently my husband earns enough to support us which is so not true!! :(

what do you guys reckon? would i be entitled to anything more??

pickpocketlocket

How much does your partner earn?

fluffycloud123

hi thanks for the swift reply. hes on 19k a year and im on 14k (although currently on maternity)

McKneff

You could only go back to your job part time if your company will allow it.

Could you look for a better paid part time job while you have the time.

Find somewhere cheaper to rent.

You might find you are entitled to some kind of childcare vouchers, but Im not sure, perhaps someone else could come along and confirm that.

And congratulations on your new baby............:j:j:j

princessdon

You need to play with the figures - I think you should get Tax Credits now (ie you deduct £100 pw for materntity pay) so unless you have very generous employers I think you'd qualifiy for Tax Credits this year.

From Feb - it's a case of seeing if you are entitled to anything and it will depend on your hours, your childcare costs and may be not applicable until April anyway (if your earnings have taken you over the limit).

fluffycloud123

Hi thanks, shes such a good baby.

i have spoke to my boss and shes more than happy for me to come back part time.

our rent is as cheap as its gonna get we dont have other outgoings like a car etc. we both walk to work, we have tightened our belts as much as possible.

i was hoping to work 4-730 every weekday night and all day either weekend day.

that way my hubby can do his job and make it back in time for me to start work. so i can have baby during the day.

pmlindyloo

fluffycloud123 wrote: »

Hi thanks, shes such a good baby.

i have spoke to my boss and shes more than happy for me to come back part time.

our rent is as cheap as its gonna get we dont have other outgoings like a car etc. we both walk to work, we have tightened our belts as much as possible.

i was hoping to work 4-730 every weekday night and all day either weekend day.

that way my hubby can do his job and make it back in time for me to start work. so i can have baby during the day.

Sounds perfect - lucky you have such an understanding boss.

I agree with the poster about tax credits. You may be eligible because the amount of income for this last year will have dropped because of your maternity leave.

You can put your details into the benefit calculator here:

http://www.turn2us.entitledto.co.uk/entitlementcalculator.aspx for

an idea of what you may be entitled to now and when you go back part time.

However, be warned, tax credits work on the previous year unless there is a £10000 (I think - keeps changing!) difference but since this is a new claim they may take an estimate for the next tax year.