Maternity pay help

[Kdg1987]

Hi all,
I've tried to work this out myself but I'm driving myself crazy so would really appreciate your help.
I'm on maternity and the pay is due to end mid Jan.
I claim U.C and this has partially topped up my maternity pay whilst I've been off.
I am now trying to understand what I would be better off doing, financially, now I am coming towards the end of my maternity pay and here's my options/queries.

If i go back in Feb 1 day a week until I return full time in April, will U.C top up my 1 day a week salary?

If I don't go back to work until April, will U.C top up a zero maternity pay? And is this capped as it only partially topped up whilst i was receiving maternity?

I'm asking as I know the U.C is working based tested. Also, the reason for me retuning 1 day is that it'll be a phased return as my baby has not been well and I want to try and get as much time with them as I can before going back to work.

Thank you for taking the time to read this long post

Do you have a partner living with you, and do you claim the housing element of UC?

If you’re living alone and not claiming the housing element then your UC entitlement would be the over 25 adult amount + child amount, so 393.45 + 287.92.

You get a work allowance of £673 if not claiming housing support, so you can earn that amount before your UC will be reduced, or if claiming housing support it is £404.

Ultimately you’re always going to be better off working & earning with UC because you get your work allowance + your UC. If you aren’t earning at all then you’ll get the full UC amount but it won’t be more than you get earning + claiming because you won’t be getting the work allowance amount.

That makes so much sense explaining it that way. Thank you.
I've always worked and will be going back full time, I just didn't know how I could work it well so I get that little bit of extra time with baby

Thank you for explaining this.

I'm single parent. It felt like a mine field trying to work it all out so I appreciate your help.

No worries! Put simply you’ll be better off financially going back 1 day a week & claiming because you’d be receiving your wage PLUS the UC, if your income was over the work allowance you’d lose some of the UC, but you’d still be better off than if you had £0 income and just claiming the UC x

Amazing help. Thank you very much x