baby due - what do I need to do and what will I get

danlightbulb

Hi all,

Apologies if this subject has been covered before but I had a quick look and couldn't see much.

My partner and I are due a baby in July and I have been trying to find out what I need to do regarding tax credits (when I need to claim and what I should get). She will be taking 9 months SMP and then returning to work. My working conditions won't change.

I have scoured the net (adviceguide, direct.gov, inland revenue and entitledto.com) but have not found any clear concise information. I have tried various benefits calculators but all ask for my previous years income but the issue with obviously be that this years (07/08) income will be lower because my partner will be on maternity leave.

Does anyone have any good, clear, advice on what I need to do and how I find out what I should get.


Many Thanks

zoezoe_3

use https://www.entitledto.co.uk and use this years figures.

You will claim tax creadits and yes they will initially be based on last years figures, so as soon as you get your award through then you ring up and give them your new details.

You can claim now, even if you get a zero entitlement at least you are on the system.

Zoe

danlightbulb

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

I've been on entitledto.com but I don't understand what figures to use. When it asks for earnings from 06/07 tax year, this won't be the earnings this year because my partner will be on maternity leave from July. I don't know how to account for this.

Money will be tight so I want to be getting what I am entitled to from the day she goes onto SMP.

Ps. Ive just been through the entitlement calculator, putting in the earnings we will get this year (which for my partner is 3 months normal pay and 9 months on SMP). And this is the result. Can someone explain this please.

entitlement per year per week
Tax Credits-Initial Tax Credit £545.34 £10.43
Tax Credits-Final Tax Credit £545.34 £10.43
Council Tax Benefit £849.64 £16.25
Total £1394.98 £26.68
Earned Income (net) £0.00 £0.00
Other Income (net) £5895.21 £112.75
Income from Child Benefit £946.37 £18.10
Total Income £8236.56 £157.53


Thanks

flea72

just make up the figures on the websites - you should have a rough idea on what your partner will be earning between now and when she starts mat leave, so input figures based on this - stat mat pay isnt included as income for any benefits, so you dont need to make any allowance for that