Self Employed Mum needs HELP!

fernando_vaz

Hi All,

Sorry if I come across stupid, but have got a bit lost in minefield of what benefits I can and can't claim and thought someone in a similar situation maybe able to help.

I am self employed and pay my own tax and NI.
I work roughly 40 hours a week over 5 days.
My earnings after tax and deductions is around £15-20k - but my average flies up and down depending on the work.

My husband is emplyeed full time on a salary of £35k

We are expecting our first baby on the 20th June 2013.

A month after the baby is born, my husband will continue his job, and I plan to work roughly 3 half days a week. My earning maybe anywhere between £5-10k a year after tax and deductions - but due to the nature of my job one week I might earn £300, the next £1000.


I am aware that I can't claim Statutory Maternity Pay, but I am entitled to Maternity Allowance. I am told that when claiming this, I can work 10 days (doesn't matter if these are for 2 hours or 10 hours), and then I must notify the Job Centre. At which point I could lose it all together, or claim part of it depending on how many hours I work. Does anyone know what is the optimum hours/days I should look to do? Does it work better to work less days and more hours, or doesn't it matter?

Child tax credit - is this something we would be entitled to - and can anyone advise next steps with this?

Working tax credit - I'm planning to go back to self employed work pretty quickly, would I be entitled to this?

Childcare tax credit - And our child would go into nursery 2 or 3 half days a week - would we get support with this?

Or if this isn't an option, could my husband get Childcare Vouchers?

Lastly, I've read about shared paternity - if my husband wanted to take more than two weeks off work, could he do this and have some of my maternity leave (although do I technically not get this because I am self employed?).

Sorry for sounding stupid, and I have tried to research this, but have made so many phone calls and been passed between so many people and businesses, I am at a loss!

Any advise would be fantastic x

Thomas_Hardy

You have posted the same thing half an hour ago?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4510055

I am confused as to why you mention being a single parent ...

fernando_vaz

I'm not, it was a mistake.

LunaLady

fernando_vaz wrote: »

I'm not, it was a mistake.

Thats one heck of a mistake, forgetting you are married!

jayII

Look here: http://www.entitledto.co.uk/

It will only give you a rough idea as things are changing in April. I think you're unlikely to get any tax credits or child tax credits.

I'm not sure about childcare tax credits or childcare vouchers as I've never used paid childcare myself.

You should be entitled to child benefit as you both earn under the threshold.