Partner has to go back to work after baby, but cant afford childcare

lanceneoman

Hi all,

We are in serious Crisis.

my partners maternity leave is up February, and she is due to go back to work.
however; there is nobody to look after our little one.
Child care is too expensive.
I earn £20,000 per year and this just about covers the house and bills, it doesnt include running the car, baby food, our food.
My partners maternity pay, just covers that.

I earn too much to be entitled to any benefit, and if my partner went back to work, her wage would just cover the childcare, probably even shortfall.

which would leave us without money for food etc,
If she doesnt go back, we are still in the same situation.

I work 60 hours per week, and im salary so dont get paid overtime.

We have no where else to go and no one that can help us. We have a contract on our house until July so I have to keep paying for that.

We need to earn an additional £500 per month, in able to survive.

All help appreciated.

thriftylass

Have you done an entitlement check including your partners wages once she's back at work and what you will pay out in childcare? Once you put that in you might find you get some tax credits or help with childcare. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be along soon.

Good luck

P.S. what do you do for work. Having to work 60 hours for only 20k seems tough.

BoJangles_2

I would suggest cutting down on absolutely everything you can in order to save that money, your partner's salary may only just cover the child care but this is no different to other families out there. It is a struggle and sometimes it seems pointless working but it isn't forever and giving up the job may make you worse off in the long run.

Horseunderwater

You may be able to claim the childcare element of working tax credits which could be upto 90% of £175/week. Has to be a registered child care provider though.

haras_nosirrah

why do people only realise this stuff after having a baby rather than planning for it before hand?

check again your entitlements with the childcare commitments - you may find you are entitled to something. If not it may be a case of her (or you) leaving her current job and finding something more family friendly e.g. both myself and my husband work but I do evening and weekends and he does weekday and our son goes to nursery 1 day a week. Son is now 2 so only one more year before we get some help and I can maybe drop a weekend day to get a bit more time together

lanceneoman

we have already cut everything down as much as I can.


I am a transport planner, supposed to work around 50 hours per week but its nearly 60 hours,


Ive done a calculator and apparently not entitles to anything, childcare is around £200 a week, and partner would only just earn that,


I just don't know what to do, we rely on her £500 per month maternity pay, and without that we will be on the streets no doubt about it.
Basically her work wont work around her , which has left us in the crap.


I work until 8 pm most nights, so she cant even get a night job.


It seems the harder you work in this country, the less you country wants to help you.


Neither of us have never not worked. never had a day sick.

lanceneoman

haras_nosirrah wrote: »

why do people only realise this stuff after having a baby rather than planning for it before hand?

check again your entitlements with the childcare commitments - you may find you are entitled to something. If not it may be a case of her (or you) leaving her current job and finding something more family friendly e.g. both myself and my husband work full time hours but I do evening and weekends and he does weekday and our son goes to nursery 1 day a week. Son is now 2 so only one more year before we get some help and I can maybe drop a weekend day to get a bit more time together

It WAS PLANNED before hand, her grandparent was going to look after out little one 3 days a week, however; they have chosen to go back to work, which has left us in the crap, I spoken to the taxa credits, and they say I earn too much money.

BoJangles_2

lanceneoman wrote: »

It WAS PLANNED before hand, her grandparent was going to look after out little one 3 days a week, however; they have chosen to go back to work, which has left us in the crap, I spoken to the taxa credits, and they say I earn too much money.

Can't rely on others so should have a plan B.

lanceneoman

And let me guess, if plan B would have failed you should of made a plan C.
Well in fact plan B was, I had asked my employer if I can reduce my hours, and it was a agreed, but we have been taken over, and they can no longer agree to it.


I came here to seek advice, not to be criticised. It doesn't help us anyway saying what I Should of done.
I work 60 hours per week, for not much money, never had a day off, either of us, always worked, went to uni, done everything and as much as I CAN DO,

tomtontom

Have you changed jobs? A year ago you had a household income of £45K, which would explain not being entitled to assistance. If this has significantly reduced you need to advise HMRC accordingly.

lanceneoman

only myself earned £20,000 , my partner a year ago earned £10,000, now she is on maternity earning £130 per week, and end of this month that's it she gets nothing.