What could I claim?

[Vickilou24]

Heyyyy! First time posting on here so hope I've done this right lol...

So me and my partner are thinking of trying for a second child. But this would mean me coming out of work until that child will be in nursery as we just wouldn't have the childcare. Now my partner earns around 24k a year. Does anyone know what benefits I could be entitled too and how much? I went in entitled to and it came back at just over £1000 a month but I dunno if that is correct or what. I just don't want to go ahead if we can't afford to have another child just yet xxx

I probably wouldn't plan a child if you have to rely on benefits. They can change at any time

It's not so much relying on them. It's just I worry about money and knowing we would have that bit extra would make me feel better about it. I've worked since I was 16 so it will be a huge thing for me not earning anything x

Do a benfefit
Check on "entitled to"
Or turn2 us website have a benefit calculator ...

I would say that sounds incorrect. We have 2 children and have a household income less than 24K and dont get anywhere near £1000 a month in benefits ! we get child benefit for both children and some tax credits but far off £1000 a month !

I would put all your details into the Gov. benefits calculator and see what it says.

No way will you get £1000 a month if your partner earns that much. I'm a single parent earning £8.50ph and I don't get as much as £1000 a month in benefits so you certainly won't.

In fact I doubt you will get anything at all except child benefit if your partner earns that much.

If you're factoring in what benefits you will get as to whether or not you can "afford to have another child just yet" clearly means you can't.

Guess you'll have to carrying on working hard and keep saving for a couple more years until you can.

For what it's worth, I don't earn a great deal more than your partner, my partner left work to bring DC up, and we weren't entitled to anything. - (Apologies, I believe everyone automatically gets £20 a week or something?)

So, I would assume you wouldn't be entitled to a great deal anyway. But like others have suggested, check the website out to find out for sure.

Before I went back to work our household income was £35,850 before deductions (Mo thly take home was £2250) and we still got £369 universal credit every month. So you will be entitled to something, depending on how much your rent is.

Myusernameismud we weren't entitled to anything when I was with my ex and he was on £30k so that's not necessarily true.

How many children did you have, and how much was your rent? Universal credit is much more generous than Tax credits were. We wouldn't have been entitled to TC but we are entitled to UC. Even now with both of us working, we still get 140 a month.

Ye right

hobnobs do you not believe me?!
I can explain exactly how it's worked out if you like, but I'm only trying to help the OP out so not sure what all the disdain is about.

OP how much is your rent?

£93.60 a week rent

Do you really think you should be planning to have another child if you will be relying on benefits?? That's not what the system is designed for

Before anyone jumps down my neck I'm not benefits bashing. I've been on benefits before but only because I was desperate and not because I wanted more children I could ill afford.

@maybelate I won't be relying on benefits. It's just abit of extra security to provide for the family. I have worked since I was 16 I'm now 27 ive paid my fair share in tax etc over the years so if I can get some help then I will. I would love to be able to return to work after having another child but it's just not possible for us until that child can go to nursery then I can find a more suitable job with nursery hours x

You'd be eligible for around 500 a month.its worked out like this-

498.89-amount for you and your partner
508.75-amount for 2 children
405.60-monthly rent
Total-1413.24

Your DP earns around 1641 a month, I'm guessing. The first 198 of that is disregarded which leaves 1443. They take 63p in every £1 so that's 912. You minus 912 from your total allowance of 1413 which leave you just over £500 a month. That will be your universal credit monthly payment.

That's assuming you're in a UC area. If not, it's tax credits and I doubt you'd be eligible for anything then.

A child can go to nursery from 3 months I think
It's unlikely you'll get much as you're choosing not to be at work. Why don't you wait until you don't pay childcare for dc1?

@Myusernameismud thank you

@AmazingGrace16 we wouldnt have the childcare for after nursery or before nursery as my partner works shifts. That's why I would have to come out of work u til the youngest can go to nursery and I can find a job to fit around those times. We do have childcare at the minute but that's family members who look after him whilst we are at work xx

Amazing, granted I don’t personally know anyone who’s used it that early but if we’re going down this line, many private nurseries take babies from six / a few weeks.

OP, are you thinking of preschool? Most nurseries operate around ten hours a day.

Usual nursery times are 8am-6pm. They're designed around people working 9-5.