Couple expecting a child...will be really be entitled to NOTHING??

lucascain

Hi all,

Hope you're all well.

First time here, please be gentle.

Bit of background info. I'm 29, my partner is 20. We are expecting our first child early next year. We both work full time, I work for a local newspaper and my partner works as a carer.

Now, when the baby arrives, obviously my partner will need to leave work on statutory maternity pay, there's no 'private' maternity plan within the care home she works in. We've no idea how much this maternity pay will be, but, going on what her colleagues have told her, it will be next to nothing.

So...when the baby does arrive, it's looking increasingly likely that my wage will be the only one coming into the household. And my wage isn't great. I earn £1250 after tax on a calendar month basis. I have a child from a previous relationship, which I've always paid £50 per week for and will continue to do so. So on a four week month, I'll be left with £1050 per month, five week month, £1000 per month.

So that's £1000ish...to cover EVERYTHING. Rent, bills, living costs, car costs etc etc...you get the idea.

Ok, so I've worked full time since I was 16, in the same job I'm in now. I've contributed during that period to national insurance and tax.

However, when I filled out the form on the entitled to website to check if we could possibly get any help, we were given a flat out NO. Nothing. Not a penny. No help with rent, council tax..nothing. Is that for real?? Are the government seriously telling me that after 13 years of contributions, that in our hour of need, we'll get NOTHING??

Yet there's countless numbers of people out there who've never worked (I'm not wishing to start a benefit street style debate here) who get everything paid for them. Full rent, full council tax, you name it. Am I seeing things clearly through my rage filled vision? Are the government seriously telling me "Thanks for over a decade of contributions into our coffers, but instead of giving you something back, we're going to hand it to the family down the street who've contributed nothing and taken so much".

Someone, please, give me some advice. Where can I turn? Or am I stuck in a perilous position where due to the fact that I work that I'll never be entitled?

The system seems so unfair...

Thanks
Luke

GwylimT

What financial planning did you do before trying for a baby? It would take less than a minute to find out how much money your partner will receive while on maternity leave.

Personally I would rather be on my wage than being far worse off financially and able to claim benefits .

dodger1

https://www.gov.uk/maternity-pay-leave/pay

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) is paid for up to 39 weeks. You get:

• 90% of your average weekly earnings (before tax) for the first 6 weeks
• £138.18 or 90% of your average weekly earnings (whichever is lower) for the next 33 weeks

SMP is paid in the same way as your wages (eg monthly or weekly). Tax and National Insurance will be deducted.

4. Eligibility

Statutory Maternity Leave

You qualify for Statutory Maternity Leave if:

• you’re an employee not a ‘worker’
• you give your employer the correct notice

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been with your employer, how many hours you work or how much you get paid.
You can’t get Statutory Maternity Leave if you have a child through surrogacy - you could get unpaid parental leave instead.

Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP)

To qualify for SMP you must:

• earn on average at least £111 a week
• give the correct notice
• give proof you’re pregnant
• have worked for your employer continuously for at least 26 weeks up to the ‘qualifying week’ - the 15th week before the expected week of childbirth

Horseunderwater

She will get SMP of £138.18 each week for 39 weeks, also child benefit of £20.50/week. Child tax credits may be payable - but initially the award is nil as it is based on last years income, so you would need to give them a revised income est for this year once baby arrives. You may also get a little housing benefit/council tax support, but congratulations in the meantime.
Try local freecycle/freegle groups for newborn equip/clothing - will be free - just need to collect. Car boots also good source as well. We did that with our baby before tax credits existed & prob paid no more than £200 for all of it. Mind you she will be 19 in January. It can be done.

kingfisherblue

I second Freecycle, it will save you a fortune. My daughter is expecting her first child, and has so far received from Freecycle a cot, Moses basket, baby bath, top and tail bowl, pram, playmat, sheets, blankets, bouncy seat, and other items. She has bought bottles, mattresses and car seat new for safety reasons.

With an annual income of less than £26000 between you, I believe that you can claim child tax credits, but as another poster said, at first the award will be based on last year's income, so you will have to contact them and give up to date figures. You can only claim CTC and child benefit after the baby is born. £26000 is based on one child, with no disabilities or childcare.

If you can, save as much as possible from your partner's income now. It will make it easier to manage on just your wage and your partner's maternity pay when the time arrives. And congratulations on your new baby

dippy3103

You will cope... I felt exactly as you did when I was expecting our son. I am the higher earner in the household so my wages missing was a massive chunk of our income.
Honestly, I know it seems a crazy thing to say but you do cope somehow


Congratulations.

Pollycat

Luke
if it turns out you won't get any benefits other than child benefit, it may be worth you posting your SOA (Statement of Affairs) on the Debtfree Wannabe board so that people-in-the-know can suggest ways to reduce your expenditure - you don't need to be in debt to get good advice on there.

Here is a link to the template:
http://www.stoozing.com/calculator/soa.php

burlington6

So you want everyone to help pay for your choices in life?

sunflower_2

burlington6 wrote: »

So you want everyone to help pay for your choices in life?

oh dear...

sax11

Wish i had that much to live on per month , and a helping hand of a partner.

marliepanda

Well you are paying £200 to raise your last child, so by your assumption thats okay, so £200 from your pocket for your new child and you still have £850 to pay everything else