Maternity entitlements?! Child benefit etc?!

mrsr13

Hi there

Can somebody advise me what a typical working class married couple are entitled to when they have children and when they can apply?

We don't earn less than £20k a year each so I don't think we're entitled to much but I'm sure every child gets child benefit and I'm expecting twins early next year so want to understand how to apply for this. Isn't there some £80 per month per child benefit?

Also - are there bonds etc that your children are immediately eligible for when born?!

I'm new to this mum thing and want to ensure the kids get everything they need as soon as possible! (Naturally!)

Thanks very much.

hawk30

I don't think there is a typical middle class couple. As long as one of you doesn't earn more than £50k (you can earn more than this collectively, just not individually) you will get child benefit. Can't remember the exact figure, but it is £81 something. You get a form to complete once the baby is born. You need to register the child first, as they will require the birth certificate, but the money doesn't take long to come through and is backdated as long as you don't leave it too long to claim.

There are no bonds anymore, as far as I am aware. We get no benefits other than child benefit, but you may do depending on your earnings. Someone more knowledgable may come along.

Edit: just noticed you have twins due. Not sure how that will affect the amount you get for child benefit.

neneromanova

Child Benefit is £20.30 for the first child and then £13.40 for each child after that. So you'll get £33.70 a week (paid monthly)

shiningfaery

do a benefits check online that will tell you all you need to know. there's a link in the income family at top of forum. depending on your income you may be entitled to child benefit, child tax credit and working tax credit.

thriftylass

Agree, do a benefits check, but as you stated you each earn more than 20k so shouldn't need any support. You will get child benefit though as pointed out above.

After your children are registered, fill out the child benefit form to claim http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/forms/ch2-online-stubb.htm

sedment

Think there is a one off payment for twins or multiple births though to help out a bit. Sure start maternity grant rings a bell?? Check out twinsuk.co.uk for more advice

Luella-14_2

We're also expecting twins in the spring. as far as I can tell, the sure start grant would only be applicable if you're already eligible for tax credits / income support. Our joint earnings are approx £70k, so wouldn't expect anything other than CB of £33.70/ week.

rpc

sedment wrote: »

Think there is a one off payment for twins or multiple births though to help out a bit. Sure start maternity grant rings a bell?? Check out twinsuk.co.uk for more advice

I wish! https://www.gov.uk/sure-start-maternity-grant

OP - get in touch with Tamba and they will be able to advise. Don't expect anything, although with two you may get the childcare element of WTC if/when they they start nursery.

These tables will give you a rough guide for tax credits:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/people-advise-others/entitlement-tables/work-and-child/work-pay-childcare.htm#2

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/people-advise-others/entitlement-tables/work-and-child/work-no-childcosts.htm

Child benefit forms get given to you somewhere along the line. I think it is in a bounty bag. If you are under consultant care, you may need to make an appointment to see the community midwife to get yours.

continualdiamond

You get the child benefit form in your bounty pack you get given in hospital.

You need your child's birth certificate to send off with the form, however when you register the birth they may do it for you.

My registry office offered this service which then meant I didn't need to send off the birth certificate. However they'd just moved premises and the computers weren't up and running so I couldn't use this service.

Worth asking about it though. Though to be fair it didn't take me long to get the birth certificate in the post and then got a letter confirming entitlement and it was back dated to the day after she was born.

I've applied for other benefits due to my hubby getting minimum wage but I highly doubt we'll get anything else. I may have to return to work early but that's a judgement call we'll have to make when I'm down to SMP only.