Need help with which benefits

Stem1989

Hi there,
Me and my partner are expecting our first child in April. We both work full time currently but that is all to change in September as I'm going to university to do my Nursing and she isn't going back to work after her maternity to care for our baby.
I have literally no idea where to start with regards to benefits we may be entitled too, I've tried to make an appointment with citizens advise but can't get through to anyone and I've been trying for over 2 hours now :mad:

I'm aware we might be eligible for help with rent and some sort of living benefit as well as my bursary £300 a month from my nursing course.

I can't apply for a student loan as I've already been to uni 6 years ago.

We are both 26 years old and living in Lancashire, England.

I looked into tax credits but it says we don't qualify because our last financial year we brought home £40000 between us. I'm not sure this is correct though.

I was initially going to wait 3 years to do my nursing but it has been announced its the last year to have fees paid so it's something I've had to put forward unfortunately.
Any advice on what we might be eligible for would be really appreciated.

Darksparkle

Have you tried a benefit calculator?

http://www.entitledto.co.uk

If baby due in April (after 6th), what you earned last year is irrelevant. It would depend on this years income and next years.

Stem1989

Thanks I have just done that and it's given me a rough idea which is good but it won't let me select full time student so it's just guessing I'm not in work therefore entitled to job seekers which obviously I won't be.

Per week.
Housing Benefit £109
Child tax credits £64
Child benefit £20.70
Bursery from course £72.50

The job seekers came out at 114 a week but that's not appropriate because I will be in full time education and she will be a stay at home mum. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance once again.

[Deleted User]

Sorry to say this but it seems kindof a bad decision to make these changes right now. If you are earning £40 pa when working, then you are going to become a student and your wife is going to stay at home looking after your daughter.., its going to be a huge change on top of the change of having your baby. And babies are expensive.

Personally, I think its a bad idea to 'save' money on fees by starting your course right now. If you've already done a degree.., maybe its a bad career choice altogether.

You should be able to do bank work whilst training (nights) but not ideal with a young baby around).

It will be difficult to find out what benefits you could get whilst a student. I thought that there were still finances available for dependant family members? But it won't be much, not compared to £40k.

dancingfairy

I don't know how much of the combine 40k you earn but you've got 9 months of your salru to save as much as possible. You've also got 4 months of your wife's salary.
How long is the course? Is it 1 year or longer?
I don't know what benefits you'd get but you could be looking at a substantial drop in income I'm afraid.
Df

tiger_eyes

Stem1989 wrote: »

Per week.
Housing Benefit £109
Child tax credits £64
Child benefit £20.70
Bursery from course £72.50

I make that around £13,750 a year. If you can cut your household expenditure down to that level on your current income, you'll be able to save a considerable amount over the next few months to make the coming years a bit easier. If you can't cut it down that much, you won't be able to afford to quit your job and study nursing.

If you don't cut down now, you're at risk of finding out you can't afford it only after you've given up your job - with no savings to bail you out.

RAS

OP

Start saving now.

Also please do check the NHS Bursary web-site as you may be entitled to the parental allowance and allowances for your partner and child.

Ref the loan, did you have all four years?

swingaloo

Would it not be feasible for a friend or relative to help with childcare so your wife could go back to work till you finish your studies?