What other income can I claim with SMP?

njbsmiler

I am a single mum with a mortgage and I have just started Statutory Maternity pay, which is £117 a week, I am taking 3 months additional maternity leave before returning to work full time. I also receive £220 Child Tax Credit for my 5 month old daughter but this nowhere near covers my monthly outgoings and am desperate for any advice on what I can do. I've rang my mortgage provider and have changed my mortgage form repayment to interest only, bringing my mortgage down to £283 a month, council tax is £68, gas £40, elec £40, tv lic £12, Home insurane £7, Car insurance £58, phone £50, Water £30 and that is without food and baby stuff!! Please can someone help me, i'm desperate!!

Loopy_Girl

Are you getting child support from your ex partner for the baby?

Am assuming you are also claiming your child benefit which is £18.80

suelees1

£220 pm ctc? What about wtc?
Possibly also council tax benefit depending on your income.

Depending on the amount of mortgage interest you pay you MIGHT get some help with that but it won't be for 39 weeks.

DaisyFlower

You can't claim help with the mortgage whilst on SMP as you're classed as in employment, its usually only whilst on IS and some other passport benefits.

You may qualify for some help with council tax and you are already getting CTC and I presume FA. You should also get maintenance from the childs father.

suelees1

Yes but you can still get IS whilst in employment if your income is low enough. In this case it would only kick in after 39 weeks as the amount of mortgage interest is added into the applicable amount calculations and so could (depending on the amount) give entitlement to IS.