Advice on bills when off work

[Holiday16]

Hi, I am currently 15 weeks pregnant and I no it's early to worry about money but I'd rather try get things put into place now before baby arrives.

Who do I speak too to find out what/if anything I will be entitled too when off work?
My mat pay is just the statutory pay so no extra benefits. My partner has not long started a new job which has meant his wage has been halved which has changed our circumstances significantly. I have no idea how we will cope when on mat leave and also with going back to work and the child care costs - I'm not sure what to do and I can't stop worrying. Which I no isn't good for baby

My partner will struggle to pay our household bills on just his wage let alone my bills. Also he already has a child which he pays child maintenance for and there's just not going to be enough to go around. I'm sure we are not entilted to anything as I've done the calculators but I'm hoping I've done them wrong!

Any advice is greatly appreciated x

In the same boat - although my DHs wage will just be enough to cover us when my maternity pay finish at 9 months.
We’ve cancelled some subscriptions etc, and are already saving to help when the money runs low.

I’m not sure about benefits when on mat leave as your still classed as employed. And it will depend on your partners salary. You’ll probably get child benefit. Child care you won’t get any help unless you qualify for other benefits at least until child isn’t 2 if a low income family and 3 if not.

Why has your partner's salary halved? If he has voluntarily changed jobs then he will have to think about going back to his old one, or getting a different or additional job. Now is also the time to save and to reduce your outgoings. When you are expecting a baby is not the time to take a 50% pay cut.

You will get child benefit once baby is born but not necessarily anything else while on maternity pay. Once that finishes it will depend what your DP's income is. You may need to consider going back to work sooner or working around his hours. But in general you do not get benefits for being on maternity leave.

Roughly what does your partner earn op?

You red to work out a budget, how much goes out every month in bills Vs what you have coming in. What's the shortfall?

There's a good tool on money saving expert website. Don't forget stuff like haircuts, food, petrol.

Get down to citizens advice if you have one and they can help work it out for you. You are entitled to child benefit regardless. If you're under a certain threshhold you will be entitled to financial aid.

As for baby stuff- eBay, Facebook, car booties etc

Do you have a mortgage?
We were able to take a six month mortgage break.

Are you sure continuing the pregnancy is the right option at the moment. If you are already thinking it will be a struggle it may be better to get some savings behind you first.

My pregnancy was a surprise! And money has been my biggest issue through the whole thing (29weeks) and everyone says it will just work out. I don't understand how but we have been making big changes and it looks like things might just work out :) you can manage op

@starzig, that wasn't really an appropriate/necessary comment. The OP was worrying about finances not about keeping her baby.

And I agree with @itsallwhite. Ours was a surprise too but we're managing.

Really not an ideal comment on whether I will be keeping my baby. I am 100% keeping my baby and would never think anything else.

I am sure we will manage it's just worrying. I will speak to citizens advice tomorrow for some advice.

My partner took his pay cut BEFORE we knew I was pregnant and he can't go back to his old job as the reason he left was because work had dried up and he was only getting one or two days work a week in the end which wouldn't help us out anymore! At least this way he has a regular wage

I wasn't sure if I could work self employed from home whilst off on mat leave or something. Again not ideal but just thinking of all avenues

Thankyou to everyone for the nicer comments x