Maternity leave and housing benefit

Racheloa85

I'm currently in maternity leave due to end early next year myself and my husband receive a small amount of housing benefit. I'm thinking of using our savings and taking the additional 3 months unpaid maternity.

Would We still be entitled to housibg benefit during this period?

Housing_Benefit_Officer

Yes - if Maternity pay stops notify the Housing Benefits Department of all changes of financial circs as an when they occur. If your household income reduces your HB will increase. If you capital reduces let them know.

Racheloa85

Thank you. I was worried they'd count it as deliberately depriving myself of an income.

Racheloa85

I pay for childcare 1 day a week to keep the space open for when I return currently they take that into account , when will they stop doing this? I've heard 2 different answers 1 says till the 28th week of my maternity leave and the other til the 39th week.
Thank you