Can I get payment breaks when just SMP starts?

Bubbles78_2

Hi I am the main breadwinner in the family and most of the household bills go out from my wages. Around or just after Christmas I will only be bringing in SMP and this won't even cover the rent and means we need to make up the rest and find money for our other bills from my partners wages, he currently is paying the finance on his car and for groceries and other misc.
He gets paid weekly and we might be able to spread the bills out but if it was possible to have a break for one each month until I return to work in march I would be a lot of help.

Any advice greatly appreciated :j

clairec79

You can try asking, the worse they can do is say no

TBH you may not like to hear this but as I was the breadwinner in the family it meant I went back to work earlier without taking the full maternity leave, we did save while I was pregnant and paid council tax up early (so by the time I went on maternity leave in October we'd paid it all so that was one bill we didn't have while on mat leave) but realistically we couldn't have coped with just SMP so I went back

pennypinching77

Hi Bubbles I am in exactly the same position as you being the main breadwinner. I am down to SMP only now but can't return to work until Feb with payday following in March. I was also considering a payment break with mortgage company but my 5 year fix ends in Jan 14 anyway so would probably have to pay it all back by then which would be too much.
If you have always paid on time and basically have a clean record Mortgage companies should give you a maximum of 3 months payment holiday.
I have have decided not to go for it as it would be too much for me too find in one go once I return to work.
We are getting by by basically selling what we can on ebay. Luckily my Husband as a few collectable items that are tiding us over.

Hope all goes well for you all.

Gigglepig

I would cut down spending/save in advance rather than take a payment break, as i would be concerned that if circumstances changed Paying back could be a problem. but I don't have that much job security. It may also be a good idea that the father takes the additional paternity leave if you would like one of you to stay home for longer?