Does maternity allowance count towards earnings when claiming Working Tax Credits

xxxpinkladyxxx

So basically this is my situation:

Employed from September 2001 until the end of June 2013

Went on maternity leave in July 2012 where I received 3 months full pay, 3 months half pay and finally 3 months SMP (the SMP ran out in March 2013)

Fell pregnant again with baby number 2 in March 2013 and took voluntary redundancy in June 2013 which is when my employment ended. I received a redundancy payment but no maternity package.

Was able to claim Maternity Allowance from August 2013 for baby number 2 as, even though I was no longer employed, I had worked enough to be able to claim this.

So my questions are:

My husband only earns about £16k a year (although about £22k with overtime). When claiming Working Tax Credits, does my Maternity Allowance count towards earnings as I wasn't and am still not employed?

Do you have to declare overtime when claiming or do you just give basic salary? His overtime is very irregular, no set amount, but he does overtime every day.

And I assume if you do start working, then you have to let them know that you are in order for them to stop (or change) your Working Tax Credits? I just plan on doing some temporary work here and there so nothing regular until next year when I plan to go back on a more permanent basis. With temporary work, I'm unsure as to how it would work with Working Tax Credits as I may be working some weeks but not others.

HOWMUCH

Run your details through this and it will work out everything for you.

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

xxxpinkladyxxx

Thanks for this. It would be employment, not self-employed.