Possibly a dumb question - finance related...

[ohthegoats]

.. I've never done anything with benefits in the past, and have no idea how it works.

SMP - if I've filled in the forms at work, will I get this automatically, or do I need to do something else? I get half pay for a few months, which is over SMP, so I assume that SMP only kicks in once I've stopped being paid from work, is that right?

Child benefit - do you get that at the same time as SMP? Or does it only start once SMP stops? And, do I get that automatically or do I have to fill something in? I remember my mum getting this from the Post Office in cash, I'm thinking things might have moved on.

I've tried googling this myself, but man they don't make these things easy to understand. Thanks.

www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/start/claiming/how-to-claim.htm - you need to fill in a form for child benefit and send it to the Child Benefit Office. It will be paid at the same time as SMP normally directly into your bank account.

Child benefit you can start claiming as soon as the baby is born.
My work is like yours, half full pay, 3 months the lower smp and 3 months no money to make a year. Your work should do it automatically.

So I do Child Benefit stuff once it's born, and the rest is automatic.

Ace, thanks very much. That's very helpful... tonight is spreadsheet night.. rock and roll...

yes, your employer should sort out the maternity pay for you but you need to apply for child benefit once your baby is born.

The Child benefit form will be in the Bounty pack that you'll get from the midwife once you give birth.

The registrar filled in a child benefit form for us when we took ds to be registered.

you can also fill in the form online on the link given earlier, print it and send it to the child benefit office along with the birth certificate.

You can print and download a CB form online (I didn't get one with second child as had homebirth and MW forgot to give me a Bounty pack)

Sorry to jump on your thread OP, Is everyone entitled to claim for child benefit regardless if their financial situation? How does it work?

You should register for it but if you (or your partner/husband in the household) earn over £50K then you/they need to register for self assessment and will have to pay some back. Over 60K you would have to pay it all back or opt out of the payment completely.

You should register for it but if you (or your partner/husband in the household) earn over £50K then you/they need to register for self assessment and will have to pay some back. Over 60K you would have to pay it all back or opt out of the payment completely.

Neither of us earn over £50k. I wish!

is that if either of you earn over £50k individually or as a couple?

Individually (which is why it us controversial as families with couples earning 40K each would not lose child benefit but if one person earns over 60K they do lose it)

Spreadsheets done... panic setting in!!

Thanks for this thread- have been wondering just the same thing! X

How much is it?

how much is what? Child benefit?

Eldest or only child gets £20.50 per week
Additional children - per child £13.55 per week
Guardian's Allowance - per child £16.35 per week

from here

Thanks. Bonus!