Job paying less money, will I be entitled to anything?

Mrsswift.82

Hello! I'm currently on maternity leave and heading back to my job in the new year. When not on maternity, I earn a little over £40k a year, so have never been entitled to any benefits (except the money I get every 4 weeks for my 2 children, I don't know what you call it but it comes to around £130pm?)

Anyway, I really don't want to return to my job. It is high stress, constant calls etc. I'm looking for other jobs taking on salary from £20-£30k to get a better quality of life.

My question is, if I voluntarily drop my salary, would i be entitled to any benefits? And is there a 'magic amount when benefits become payable? My husband earns around £20k (self employed).

I don't want to take a job for £30k, if it works that if you earn £29k you then get a few thousand in benefits? (I had this a few years ago where my pay increase pushed me into another pension percentage bracket, and my pay increase actually meant I went home with less every month)

I'm new to all of this, so any advice would be great.

Thank you!

downshifter

I'm sure others will have lots to say about this so I won't add to it but if you plug some figures (try a few different what ifs) into the https://www.entitledto.co.uk benefits calculator you should get your answers.

Mrsswift.82

Thank you I will... do you know if this still stands if you voluntarily drop your salary?

Darksparkle

The household income would be taken into account rather than how much your income reduces by.

On a joint income of £40-£50,000 you wouldn’t be entitled to tax credits unless childcare costs or disabilities.

Child benefit is a set amount so wouldn’t increase if you reduce your income.

Hedgehog99

So on a proposed combined income of £49k, you think you should also get some money from the government?

...when a lot of the money the government has comes from the taxes of people on a lot less than £49k?

Darksparkle

Hedgehog99 wrote: »

So on a proposed combined income of £49k, you think you should also get some money from the government?

...when a lot of the money the government has comes from the taxes of people on a lot less than £49k?

She would get money from the government, child benefit.

Mrsswift.82

Oh Ok, thank you.

TELLIT01

Mrsswift.82 wrote: »

Oh Ok, thank you.

Try to ignore the judgemental group which you will get on any board, of any kind. You have simply asked a perfectly valid question about benefits to which you might have entitlement. The replies from Darksparkle and downshifter are the ones to concentrate on, although I suspect the answer is likely to be nothing other than child benefit based on your joint income.

xylophone

Anyway, I really don't want to return to my job. It is high stress, constant calls etc. I'm looking for other jobs taking on salary from £20-£30k to get a better quality of life.

Which is fair enough.

Have you looked into help with child care?

https://www.gov.uk/help-with-childcare-costs