Help!!

[gfaye]

I'm 4 months into my maternity and I hope to return to work. I work just under full time (37 hours). I cannot work out on the calculators as I the dates are hard to match up. What will I be entitled to if I am to go back to work? My firm does not do childcare vouchers and I seem to earn as much as it costs me to put my daughter in childcare. Will I be entitled to benefits and will the government help with childcare? I find it impossible to believe I am better off to stay at home and desperately want to keep me job?

Thanks!!

Do you have a partner? Their income as well are your income affect what financial help you can get towards childcare.

I would suggest you look at Tax-Free Childcare. That can be up to £2000 per year (if you have childcare cost of £10,000: you pay £8k and get £2k topup).

www.gov.uk/get-tax-free-childcare

I do, but I don't live with him. I have seen the tax free childcare which is a help but my wages still just cover my income, which makes me better off not going back to work as I still need to pay rent, baby supplies, bills etc. However, i 100% want to work. I'm unsure as to what other help I'll get I.e, income support etc. Not sure how the benefit system works really as I've never claimed before? Thanks for the link!

Do you get any maintenance from baby's father if you aren't living together?

I don't, no

Try using the entitled to website, that should give you an indication of whether you would get tax credits/universal credit

Thank you, I'll have a look. Just difficult to work out dates as if I am going back to work now in lines with the last years earnings etc! 😂

Childcare isn't just your wage though, it's his too. You are both a parent.

Is there a chance that you will live together in the future? Therefore reducing bills. Obviously I'm not sure on circumstances so don't want to assume.

TFC is definitely worth a look.

Yeah I totally agree! But I don't see it happening. I'm just trying to work out how it will work on my own and if he does step up at some point, it's a bonus and I can look into it again

Go via the CMS, he needs to help pay for his child!

Tax credits help towards child care if your income is low enough - you can check if your eligible by using the online calculator however when it asks for previous years income input this years income and don’t forget that whilst on maternity leave the first £100 of your wages per week are not counted x

Thanks so much, I didn't know that. I'll look into it x