End of maternity pay need to work

[BonBon1973]

Hi,
My maternity pay finishes in December and although I?m not due to return to work until the end of March (3 months unpaid leave)our circumstances are such that I would like to return to work in January.
However, I do not want to return to work during the day as I would prefer to stay at home during the day to look after my little one (Wages will barely cover nursery fees + I don?t want to leave him with one). I am willing to work evenings but sadly my current employer cannot offer me evening work so I have no choice but to hand in my notice and seek alternative employment.
Given the current climate I might not be able to get a job in January and I just wondered what I would need to do if I cant get work. Do I sign on? Can I sign on?
Also how does tax credits work, will these change? Or will I have to wait until April to find out?
If anyone know any details or where I can find detail I would be greatly appreciative.
Thanks

[flowerybeanbag]

Bonbon try entitled to website. I'm not sure whether you could claim JSA if you have willingly walked away from a job, which you would be doing. Not sure about tax credits either, hopefully that site will help you.

[M1SSUNDERSTOOD]

To sign on you have to be available for work for 40 hours per week, so I suppose every night would constitute that. You also have to have paid enough NI contributions for the previous past 2 tax years. I am not sure if SMP counts toward this.That is for contribution based job seekers whilst there is an income support based one which is different. I have a dilemma too as I wish to give up one of my 2 jobs due to childcare but not sure if I meet the criteria.