What financial help is available from the government?

[vbab78]

There are three scenario's:

1. Both me and my husband work full time.
2. Only my husband works full time.
3. My husband works full time and I have a part time job.

I am currently considering my options for after SML during which time I will receive SMP.

Please Help. Thank you.

vbab78 - It really depends on how much you earn. You will be entitled to tax credits but they are based on income. If you don't want to post details of your household income I can understand that, but if you do then MN'ers will be able to give you an idea of what you could get.

1. What does your DH earn
2. What could you earn part time
3. What would the childcare costs be

etc etc

When are you due?

well the help from the government dependso n the amount of hours you work, if even one of you works full time you wont get income support.

you will however get child tax credit (depending on your earnings) and working tax credit (depending on hours) and child benefit.

you may be able to claim housing benefit (if renting) and council tax benefit (depending on earnings.

you can apply for a Sure Start Maternity Grant (which is means tested depending on earnings) which is a one off payment of £500 (no harm in applying)

i think thats all, hope it helps!!!

In order to get a Sure Start Grant, you need to be on income support, income-based Job Seeker's allowance, disability element of Working Tax Credit (cut off for getting this at all is an annual combined income of about £14,000), or above the family element of Child Tax Credit. This is very clear on the application, so if you are not in receipt of and have qualified for one of these benefits, it doesn't make much sense to apply. You must also apply on or before your child is 3 months old.

When you apply for ANY benefit, your income will be taken into consideration as a couple.

Again, if your JOINT income is about the approximately £14,000 mark, don't count on getting Working Tax Credits. Child Tax Credits, yes, and again the amount will depend on your total income as a couple AND whether or not you use a registered child minder for childcare.

Based on your joint income, if you are a renter ONLY, you may or may not qualify for housing benefit. Check w/your local council about this. Some councils pay it directly to the landlord, others award it to the tenant to use on their rent. Housing Benefit applications are usually joint applications with Council Tax Benefit, but the only folks I've heard getting Council Tax Benefit are on income support or JSA.

Your Child Benefit award will be greater for the first year of your child's life, but expect it to drop rather sharply once your child turns one.

To qualify for the working tax credit you would need your part time work to be at least 16 hours per week. But most of these benefits are means tested - apart from child benefit (the old family allowance) which is £60 odd every 4 weeks for families with one child.

EITHER one of the couple needs to be working 16+ hours AND your joint income needs to be about £14,000 or less to receive Working Tax Credits. Tax Credits are NOT assessed by individual unless the individual is claiming as a lone parent.

Keep in mind, too, that any assets you have will also need to be reported on all benefits claim forms.