What am I entitled if I choose to look after my baby?

cherry76

I am debating whether to go back to work as nursery is about £1300 in greater London and after paying transport fees, it will not be worthy as will be left with only a couple of hundred pounds. I am thinking of taking unpaid leave for another 6 months and I wonder whether anybody is in my situation, can I top up my pensions and N.I whilst on unpaid leave? Baby will be 1 yr old when I go back. I wanted to work 2 days but my employer will only allow me to do 4 days. I work for a University in London. Also I am wondering whether I am entitled to any family tax credits as my husband income is only 25k? Thanks

xylophone

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx might help?

princessdon

The joint income for 1 child is 26,000 for tax credits, so with hubby's wage and any of yours added April to April (less £3900 maternity) is over that you will not get tax credits until next April. Even then on 25k it won't be much.

You get £20 pw child benefit and whilst you claim that you get NI credits for your pension until age 12.

If you return to work over 16 hours per week (so 2 days could be under this and not be eligible ) you will get help with childcare (the calculators will tell you how much)