to think that SMP is equal to the amount of benefit you get if you don't go back to work?

[dandelionand]

have i got this right?
i get about £600 SMP every month and have just worked out that that's equivalent t what income support, child tax credit and council tax reduction i'd get (and that's without adding on the child benefit on!)
Not eligible for universal credit as i have a mortgage (income support for housing costs and borrowing money from old school friend for the rest).
I guess it makes sense that SMP=benefits but i just thought i'd ask for the wisdom of mumsnet on this....

Having to go back to work - well that's just life isn't it?

You'll be setting your daughter a good example about making work pay.

My mum was a single parent and she worked when we were children. Good for her. I now have a very good job - probably influenced by the fact that my mum worked.

I do have an issue with the growing division between the have and have nots but I don't think that we should be addressing that by making it better to not work.

I will also have to go back to work but will probably financially be worse off. Nursery fees where I am will cost between £1300 and £2000 per month. Our mortgage is £1400 per month (the island has house prices close to central London because of the limited space - we live in a 2 bed flat). Both Dh and I work and collectively earn over the average wage here (£75,000 or £37,500 per month each). Anyone earning over that will no longer be entitled to free nursery places. We will struggle.

On the face of it we have cushy jobs with high salaries. But take away 20% tax, 6% social insurance, mortgage nursery fees and bills and were left with a couple of hundred a month.

kinda confused about where you are getting your figures from.

You get 90% of your earnings for the first 6 weeks and then £139 a week after.

On top of that you get child benefit - 20.50 a week for the first and then 13 a week for any subsequent children.

You will also get tax credits - I can't claim them but my sister does and she gets around forty odd quid a week for her son (now three) but I understand you get more in the first year?

It's not a huge amount of money, granted, but it's hardly pennies.

I'm sorry your tired and stressed, but you'll just have to suck it and get on with it like every other parent out there. Welcome to the club.

And you may get in work benefits help with childcare costs and tax credits , if your income and savings are low.

I'm not a single parent but can't be a SAHM because we can't afford it. That's life. I'm not sure why you're going on about bankers and stuff, surely you realised that you'll need to support and provide for your child?

Ememem no you won't struggle , a couple of hundred pound a month , I hope your job doesn't involve maths.

Assume she didn't mean month :o

dandelionand I became a single parent whilst on maternity leave so I understand how daunting it can all be.

Make an appointment with your local citizens advice bureau, they helped me find out what I could claim and then worked out figures for what I'd get in work or not working. I was better off working part time, although I was fortunate to have family nearby to help with childcare. Good luck.

Andnow she doesn't say but that might need to pay for other bills etc. So yes, she might struggle. Unless you personally know her how can you state that

Hope your job doesn't require empathy.

Diggers I tend to save my empathy for those earning minumum wage and those on zero hours contracts. A pre tax household income of 75k split between two earners isn't a struggle unless you are living beyond your means.

diggers no I meant a couple of hundred a month. For food. Parking for work. Etc. Bear in mind I live on an island and a lot has to be imported. Milk costs £1.15 a pint.

If you have "fairly major health issues" , is returning to work even an option?

hmm, i'm sure I did another reply but god knows where it's gone!
I remembered the other day, where I got the idea from that I might be able to not put my daughter in nursery until she's old enough to communicate (and therefore hopefully let me know if the nursery staff are abusive, i'm not naïve, abuse happens), it was from a friend who was working full time and only earning £10 more than if she'd stayed on benefits, because the childcare costs were so high. She was quite savvy so I reckon she was getting all the benefits she was entitled to.

A childminder usually works out less expensive than nursery and more flexible but normally still qualifies for tax credits and Early Years funding purposes.

Not really the same, but similar. I've been made redundant, and although I have a child I'm allowed £73.10 a week in JSA and £60 a week in child tax credit. Oh and my council tax is paid.

It's crap, but it is what it is.

I'm struggling to find a job and am looking at having to sell my car to pay for structural work on the house that can't wait, which will limit my ability to find a job even more.

But life doesn't always allow you to do what you want. Maybe look at getting a part time job?

Oh and the support towards mortgages is only after 39 weeks of going on JSA.

Most people would have lost the house by then, tbh.

BUT I can't grumble. Well, I can and I am, but I'm not looking for the govt to support me forever, just till I can get another bloody job!

no I meant a couple of hundred a month. For food. Parking for work. Etc. Bear in mind I live on an island and a lot has to be imported. Milk costs £1.15 a pint.

Surely not a problem for a couple earning £75k a month.