Sure start maternity grant / child benefit

[Tilpop]

Hi

Please could you help me understand something.
I'm 37 weeks pregnant. Have been furloughed from day one and am in line for redundancy which I think will happen.

Hubby is furloughed from his number one job (good job pays very well still getting paid very well even on furlough waiting to see if he will be made redundant also) but is still working full time in his second job (self employed contractor has worked for this company for many years they have kept him even though he has job one). Number one job allows this they are very good.

My question is.... I have always been financially independent of my DH and I have never NOT worked from being 18 (now 39). Maternity will be the first time I have ever been off work. Someone mentioned I am entitled to child benefit (£20 a week- everyone is) I didn't think I was as my DH earns enough to cover bills etc. Is this true?

I don't really know why I am asking as I have never applied for / been on benefits and I have no idea how it works. I guess I'm just panicking about loosing my job and having my son to support once he's here. I'm also finding it hard at the thought of being "unemployed".

DH keeps telling me not to worry I'm about to become a mummy that's my job from now on and stuff my job I don't need to work as it's his job to provide for our family. I'm just scared of losing my independence I guess.

I've never been in this situation. Any advice please?

Child Bennefit isn't really benefits, despite thr name. If your household earns over a certain amount (55k) I think your child Bennefit is reduced. But if not then it is 20 pounds a week. Every parents qualifies for it. It used to be called family allowance if that helps you

If you want to see if you qualify for benefits (income supports, child tax credits, housing benefit) then you need to do a quote on entitled to. Com or a similar site. It is done off your household income though, not individual.

Anyone can claim child benefit. If someone in the household earns over £50k then some or all may need to be paid back via the higher earners self assessment tax return. Between £50 and £60k a proportion gets paid back and once you reach £60k it will all need to be paid back.

You need to consider the income your dh will have for 2020-21. If over £50k (net of some deductions like pension contributions) then cb payments will be reduced until it is 0 over £60k. However even if he is in that bracket it is worth submitting a claim as a) it gives the claimant NI credits until child turns 13 if not working and b) variable circumstances may make you eligible in full or part for this year. If your dh submits a self assessment tax return he can declare it and any overpayments be reclaimed then. If you are certain you would receive nothing still make the claim and opt out of receiving payments. SS maternity grant is for those on very low incomes , so unlikely you would qualify, and presumably you will get maternity pay even if subsequently made redundant.

If you do get made redundant then surely when you want to return to work you look for a new job?

Is your husband expecting you to pay bills when you are not earning? You will be providing childcare for his child?

You should claim it if you can and at least fill out the forms for it to get your national insured contributions if your house hold income is more than £50k. I found this article quite clear.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/child-benefit/

Also if you don't want to stay at home full time that's ok! (You seem a little unsure about that in your post) if you want to work that's fine, if you want to stay at home that's fine. Best of luck

No he's not expecting me to pay bills. I think it's just my own insecurity that's making me worry.

What do you want to do OP? Do you like your role at work? Have you considered that you may love being a mum but in 18months or less you may want adult conversation and want to go back to work.

I love going to work, always have. I will miss adult interaction and office banter so yes I would like to return to work

Then again I might also love being a mummy just as much

@Scrumpyjacks

If you want to see if you qualify for benefits (income supports, child tax credits, housing benefit) then you need to do a quote on entitled to. Com or a similar site. It is done off your household income though, not individual.

There are no more tax credits, income support or housing benefit, it is all UC - that's been so for new applications since December, 2018. All councils are now full-service UC areas.

Yes you may. Do consider the climate. Is your husbands job relative safe? This time next year is he likely to be laid off?. I think anybody who is in the safe (more a less) job sector is pretty lucky right now.

I’m sure you will have plenty of time to decide what fits in best for your family.

Thank you

Child benefit unless one of you earns over 60k . It tapers after 50k. Any Universal credit would depend on your husbands pay. Non means tested benefits like new style JSA would pay for 6 months if you can't claim any smp and assuming you have sufficient NI contributions over the past 2-3 years.

All the info about child benefit National Insurance & state pensions, benefits are on here

www.gov.uk