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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Maternity Leave

94 replies

Mmolly2013 · 14/05/2014 22:22

I am going on Maternity leave soon. Currently working 35 hours per week earning about £1100 per month. Dh is on about the same.

When my maternity pay starts can i applying for working tax credits or anything else to help us out, as maternity pay means i will only get around £550 per month. So worried about how im going to live on that as rent is £300 each.

how does everyone do it

OP posts:
allisgood1 · 14/05/2014 22:26

You'll get child tax credit too which helps. Do you not have any maternity benefit from your work?

TheEnchantedForest · 14/05/2014 22:28

Not sure about tax credits. Won't they take your dh's salary into account?

You will get child benefit-not much but it helps.

Original poster
Mmolly2013 · 14/05/2014 22:30

I get 14 weeks full pay then after that it drops down to the SMP which is a set amount which works out around 550

OP posts:
freezation · 14/05/2014 22:31

Fairly sure you can't apply with those earnings. Surely between you £1650 is enough for £600 rent plus bills?

freezation · 14/05/2014 22:32

14 weeks full pay? Bloody hell where do you work?! And can I have an application form? Wink

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 14/05/2014 22:33

How is this an AIBU?

Catsize · 14/05/2014 22:34

Careful planning and getting into debt. That is how the wirkers are rewarded by society. Having a stress about this myself as am self-employed. Not sure why this in AIBU. Confused

CurlyBlueberry · 14/05/2014 22:35

So altogether your family will have £1650 a month (am assuming that's after tax), take off rent and you still have just over a grand a month. Seems more than doable to me, to be honest. We had just over that amount coming in when I was on mat leave and a bigger mortgage too. No working or child tax credits, but we did/do get child benefit. Do you budget at all currently? There are some good starter ones on places like Martin's MoneySavingExpert website.

Save some money out of your full pay while you can, that will help. Will you go back to work? Do you know how you'll manage while paying for childcare, or do you have help?

allisgood1 · 14/05/2014 22:36

You can also apply for a sure start grant (£500)

CurlyBlueberry · 14/05/2014 22:37

allisgood I'm pretty sure she won't be getting either child tax credits or a Sure Start grant on that salary. We certainly were miles off being entitled to either.

freezation · 14/05/2014 22:37

You have to be receiving certain benefits to get a sure start grant.

iloveshortshorts · 14/05/2014 22:37

Im sure you have to be on benefits to receive sure start grant allisgood

CurlyBlueberry · 14/05/2014 22:37

But worth a check obviously!

allisgood1 · 14/05/2014 22:37

www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators

Cookiepants · 14/05/2014 22:38

You stay off as long as you can afford it - then you go back to work. Sorry OP am going back myself soon which is why I am being a mardy cow about it Sad

Original poster
Mmolly2013 · 14/05/2014 22:38

Im asking from advice from people who may have experience on this as its stressing me out thats why I have put it on AIBU as it has the most users.

My partner has his own money and I have mine we split the bills but we pay our own debts and car insurance and travel to work ontop of anything else we need which isnt joint. We dont put all our money into one big pot and share it which is why Im worried and my wages will be much lower but I pay out more debs and things.

OP posts:
Cookiepants · 14/05/2014 22:41

Your partner will need to take some of your share while you are off work. If you can share DNA and have a child you can share cash.

CurlyBlueberry · 14/05/2014 22:41

So really, you need to be talking to him then. You are carrying his child. He needs to cover a bigger proportion of the bills while you are caring for your (both of yours) baby.

schmalice · 14/05/2014 22:41

I'm guessing if you're about to go off it's too late to suggest putting money aside each month whilst you're working to take the edge off the shortfall when you're on leave?

Catsize · 14/05/2014 22:42

And he won't change the arrangements? Confused
Is it not time for at least a medium-sized pot?

Fideline987654321 · 14/05/2014 22:42

We dont put all our money into one big pot and share it

Maybe it is time that changed?

You are going to be a family, after all.

Original poster
Mmolly2013 · 14/05/2014 22:42

Childcare costs more than my rent here so was hoping to go back parttime after maternity leave and ge lt some help in form of tax credits etc as if child was put into childcare, working hours would.mean we never seem them and also will be skint every month paying for it so doesnt make sense. if i go parttime we wont need childcare at all as the shifts I would be doing work perfectly with DH.

OP posts:
CarmineRose1978 · 14/05/2014 22:42

Seriously? If you are not working because you've had his child, and he won't help you out with debts, rent or bills, well... He's a dickhead.

OsMalleytheCat · 14/05/2014 22:43

DH comes in with about £1200 PCM and we're entitled to £19.00 pw in child tax credits nothing in working tax credits.....

Original poster
Mmolly2013 · 14/05/2014 22:43

Hes told me to stop stressing as when babys here he will pay for more. But I want to rely on my own money.

OP posts: