SAHM starting first job - benefits?

[Temphelp]

Hi everyone,

I'm a SAHM and have been for a while as my kids are very young. I've been offered a job (around 25k a year before tax etc.) and am thinking of going for it.

My partner works 2 jobs (one full time, one part time) for about 50 hours per week. He earns around £20k (before tax) from one job and around £6k per year from the second.

We own our own house and are only eligible for child benefit and child tax credits. We also get free prescriptions.

I'm trying to use the online benefits calculators to work out our future entitlements, but I'm a little confused. Probably just mum-brain.

Should I expect our CTC to completely end? Is there anything else I should keep in mind before returning to full-time work?

Thank you!

I used to work 7 hours a week. Partner was full time. Our total income was around 36k. We received nothing but child benefit. You WILL loose any benefits other than that. You will not receive free prescriptions. I was on 6k a year and not married but due to partners earnings I received no help. Saying that you will surely be better off with the extra wage. You may be eligible for help towards childcare costs but do not count on it as they will reduce it based on earnings. That was why I could only do a few hours. I really suggest contacting hmrc and saying I am considering a full time job but I would really like to know what help we would get with childcare if any. They might be able to run through figures so you can make an informed choice. The only calculator is terrible.

I will probably give HMRC a ring tomorrow then, If anyone else has any examples feel free to share!

I’m just so unsure if all the hassle will be worth it tbh

Well how much do you get a year In benefits? Subtract that from what your wage would be to see the monetary difference.

We have a joint household income less than that and are not entitled to any benefits

Uh no i should think you're not going to be entitled to benefits with a £50k+ household income. It must be more money than is coming in now though?

Make sure you also account for your employer pension contributions as part of the package, never too early!

Well the alternative to not taking it is relying on a man for income which is never a good idea.

And it'll go up as you get better/ get promoted. When the benefits drop as the kids grow up you'll be earning. If DP needs to cut down his hours - you've got work... Take it

On the household income I can’t imagine you will qualify for anything apart from child benefit

You will probably only be entitled to Child Benefit. It does depend though on various factors though such as how many children you have, if anyone in your family is disabled and if you have child care costs. I earn 19k and DH also earns 19k bith working full time. We have two children, none of us have a disability and we have child care costs of £650 a month. We receive approx £200 a month from Universal Credit (DH weekly paid and I'm 4 weekly paid so it varies and one month a year we get £0) If we didn't have childcare costs we would only receive Child Benefit. You should be much better off working especially in the long run.

you get tax free childcare

@imamule

you get tax free childcare

Yes - this. We have a combined income of 75k and we are entitled to CHB and 20% off childcare costs, nothing more.

Me & DH earn around the same as both the full time wages & only get child benefit.
I'd say CTC & free prescriptions will stop if you take the job.

Child tax credits can include childcare if not using vouchers

Download HMRC's app is useful for monitoring tex credits

the extra 15 hours as well if dc are young enough

A £25k salary equates to just under £19,900 net pay.

Increasing your household income by £20k surely has to be a net gain, certainly in terms of free prescriptions - that will only cost you £100 pa for each adult, the children will still receive free prescriptions.

If you get 2 or more prescriptions per month then buy a prescription prepayment certificate. It means you pay a flat rate for the year no matter how many prescriptions you have rather than paying the £9.35 fee for each of them.

A PPC for 12 months costs £108.10 and will save you £340 per year if you get 4 prescriptions each month or £115 pa if you get 2 per month.

www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/help-nhs-prescription-costs/prescription-prepayment-certificates-ppcs

Your joint post-tax income will be £40.5k. And you own your home so don't have to worry about rent.

You'll still receive child benefit. The child credit you lose won't be anywhere near the £20k employment income you'll gain.

What are you worrying for? You'll be better off.

Yes i imagine your tax credits will end with 2 full time wages coming in unless you have significant childcare costs. How on earth do you get free prescriptions when your dh earns 26k ??

Why on earth would you consider turning down a £25k job when you have been out of employment for however long? What hassle do you mean?