Are we entitled to anything? At all?

brabs2

Hi

My partner and I are expecting our first child this week. At the moment like many others we are struggling financially and I'm trying to look around the working tax and child tax credits minefield but I'm having no joy whatsoever. I'm in full time employment and my partner doesn't work and doesn't seem to be able to claim anything. At all. I was wondering if anybody could give me some advice on whether we would be entitled to anything. I know there's the £20 child benefit but is there anything else? I've tried the benefits calculator on the site but according to that we're not entitled to anything other than child benefit.

As I say I've tried looking at things but I can't seem to get my head around any of it properly. If anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Caz3121

tax credits depending on your income
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/tax-credits-entitlement-tables

Darksparkle

Is there any reason why your partner doesn't work?

brabs2

Thanks Caz I'll have a look at that

She was employed until not long after she became pregnant but as it was only a probationary period and her references didn't come back in time she was let go. She looked for work up to being six months pregnant but was unsuccessful unfortunately. She then got disillusioned as who wants to take on a 6 months pregnant woman and then have to go off for maternity 3 months later.

jetplane

Has she checked her entitlement to maternity allowance, paid by DWP, based on past employment history the criteria is less strict than maternity pay and can be paid at the same rate.

brabs2

I don't think so but I will get her to thank you Jetplane

Edit: Is it too late to claim this seeing as the baby is due on the 12th of May?

jetplane

No you can claim before or after baby is born, sooner the better for eligibility though and it can be backdated, it's a bit of a faff checking dates and the best pay weeks but here is a link which you enter due dates, work dates etc, it has a calculator for eligibility.
https://www.gov.uk/maternity-allowance/overview

I take it you earned more than 25k last year and this year for tax credits?

brabs2

Thank you very much

martinbuckley

If you get married, your spouse can transfer some of her tax allowance to you, saving you £220 a year.