pregnant and clueless about benefits

[puggywug81]

Hi ladies I am currently 25 weeks pregnant with my 1st, both my self and my partner work full time. I am taking a year of maternity leave after I will return to work 3 days a week. My current annual salary is around 18K my partner earns slightly less. My questions a're how do I know what we are entitled to?
When do I apply, do i wait until I'm on mat leave? Or until I return to work part time? I have no idea how any of this works and I'm a bit scared!

Have you used the calculator on www.entitledto.co.uk it's really helpful and should give you an idea what to do. You can't apply for Child benefit etc till you get the child's birth certificate as that's what they use as proof.

You would only be eligible for child benefit of £20 a week on those earnings. The cut off for child tax credits with one child is around £26k, so even if you go part time you are unlikely to qualify for any although you may get some help towards childcare costs.

Thankyou for the advice

You should be entitled to some tax credits whilst on maternity though.