Can't afford to return to work after maternity leave

poppasmurf_bewdley

Phoebe- wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I am expecting my first baby in July and I am just starting to panic a bit about money. I've looked into SMP and as my wage is already very low, it works out about the same as my monthly income, so I'm sure we will manage whilst I am on maternity leave.

My concern is returning to work after maternity leave. Childcare costs are so high, that I would be pretty much working just to pay the child care fees, leaving us with no money from my salary each month. My husband works, but his wage is low too (£12k) so we're not in a position to live off his wage alone. I'm left just baffled and unsure about what we're going to do.

If I don't go back to work after my maternity leave ends, are there any benefits I would be entitled to? I've looked at the benefit checkers online, and they suggest I would get £20 a week child benefit, but it says I'm not entitled to anything else. I've done it as if it's this time next year and I'm not working, but because it takes into account I had an income via SMP for some of the year, it says I'm not entitled to anything else. Is this correct, or is there the possibility of housing benefit for example?

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

Didn't it dawn on you to think about these things BEFORE you decided to have a baby?

busy_mom_2

I work days and husband works night, can you not find something weekends or evenings?
May not be your prefered choice of career but better than nothing. Usual fast foods, pubs or restaurants. Supermarkets or cleaning?

themarsbargirl

Also, quick question, does your husband really work 30 hours a week? Before applying for WTC you need to work out how many hours he works based on his job being term time only.

I worked 'full time' in a school but was only counted as working 20 hours a week due to only working 38 weeks a year.

Money_maker

busy_mom wrote: »

I work days and husband works night, can you not find something weekends or evenings?

This is how a lot of mums get round it. Evening work is quite easy to get hold of, supermarkets, some warehouses, pubs, restaurants or care work. You then get the best of both worlds by being able to be there for your child and watch him/her grow whilst still earning a wage. While you need income to survive, childhood cannot be replicated.

nodiscount

poppasmurf_bewdley wrote: »

Didn't it dawn on you to think about these things BEFORE you decided to have a baby?

So true. The OP should have known that child bearing is only for workless people. How dare working low-income people have children eh?

(Sarcasm)

stroodes

So true, how dare high income people excpect low income to support their ow children.:eek:

stroodes

missed the n and sarcasam was heavy there. not too good with this yet, but get a grip, pay for your own children

tinkerbellkirst

Hi,

If your husband is only earning 12k a year, you could return to work part time if that is an option - talk to work.

If you worked Part Time, Tax credits would help with childcare and you'd be better off than you just staying at home.

Becoming a childminder is also a good idea.

Spendless

It is possible that your (husband's) income will be topped up via the tax credit system. You need to put your details into the on-line calculator.

15 years ago, we were in the same position, husband earning slightly more, but without any additional help back then and my wages were equivalent to the childcare bill. I found work at a small convenience store working 2 evenings and 1 weekend morning per week. I later changed to working 5pm-8pm Mon-Fri for a national diy chain. It worked out better than having a day-time job. No childcare costs as DS always had a parent looking after him. Your husband's job meaning he must have an early-ish finish time and not work away overnight is a great advantage for you looking for evening work.