Anyone else worried about how they'll manage on SMP?

[Bellabutterfly2014]

I'm 9wks gone and just a bit worried about how we'll manage on SMP. We are trying to pay off the loan and credit card and trying to be as careful as we can.

I work somewhere where I'll literally get the basic 6wks at 90% followed by SMP for up to 9 months - if I can afford to stay off that long that is.

Is there any benefits/ tax credits we can claim while I'm on maternity leave?

Only child benefit ( roughly £20 a week for a first child) and possibly child tax credits if your income is joint under around £26k ( assuming it's your first child).

Hi Babyroobs;
Thanks - thought this might be the case.
It's our first baby together but my partner pays maintenance for 2 older children.
Whilst I'm on maternity pay our income will be under £26k but when I go back to work it will go over that amount so would we be eligable while I'm off work on mat leave?
For child benefit, will I get the full amount for a first child even if my partner has 2 older children? How will that work as it's not his first child. Sorry if I'm asking the obvious here but with it being the first baby I really have no idea about any of this!
Xx