Any MAT leave financial support with student husband?

[JGreen134]

Hi there, just posting this the hope that someone else has been or is in my situation. Before I explain, I am not looking for any ‘Well, you should’ve thought about that before you got pregnant,’ or ‘It’s your choice, so deal with it etc.’ My husband and I are both public sector workers who’ve paid our taxes for years and give alot to the communities we work in.

I am a full time teacher and my husband who was an OPD (anaesthetic nurse) is now training in his second year of postgraduate medicine. I have supported him over the last few years financially before we both decided on having a baby. Baby due in June 2020. I have been saving extremely hard over the last 6 months and although we should have enough to scrape by (I am buying baby things second hand etc.) just wondering if anyone who has been in my situation has received support from their local council or the state? I don’t hold much hope from universal credit and from what I have researched, it all seems to be based on previous not current earnings, which would be to high to qualify probably. Our rent is quite high and we can’t afford to move, just a little for help to pay the rent while on MAT leave would be a relief. I won’t be taking the whole nine months off to cut costs. Our parents and family are not in a position to help us. Thank you for the advice!

You’ll get SMP unless your workplace offers enhanced maternity pay. Have you checked exactly what you’ll be getting? Have you put the numbers into a benefits checked like entitledto? You’ve got a few months left to save as much as you can. Benefits from the state are through universal credit. I’m not sure what else you think might be possible? Most people have to save up to fund maternity leave and a baby and make cut backs while they’re off.

Hi OP, have you looked to see if you would be entitled to working tax credits / child tax credits? You are still entitled to this while on maternity leave I believe.

I don't believe the council would be able to offer any support but you might be able to utilise food banks during the period you are on reduced income? (Though I understand you may not want to).

While it may not be very advisable, I plan to put some expenses on an interest free credit card while on maternity leave and pay it back when I return.

You will get child benefit, as long as you don’t earn over £50k (and it’s graded between £50k and £60k). But if you’re a full time teacher you’re earning a good salary so you won’t be entitled to anything else.

Are you in an academy? Although they can set their own maternity policy so you need to check your contract, most will stick to the burgundy book.

Also, remember that getting used to living on less isn’t a bad thing, as you’re going to have childcare bills in 9 months time. And, although one of the best bits of teaching is that you have no childcare costs in the holidays, the chances are that you will still pay upwards of £600 a month for nursery fees.

As an aside - sign up for tax free childcare as soon as you can. It’s amazing for saving 20% of your childcare bill

Thanks for the advice everyone! I don’t earn close to 40k let alone 50k a year so may be eligible when on MAT leave. One of the main reasons why we are having them now is we are entitled to the 85% off child care fees paid from the NHS bursary scheme because my husband is part funded to be a doctor whilst studying - so that front is covered when I go back full time. Just have to get through the 9 months without much money coming in which is possible as I’m sure many other people make do, just tricky working out the jargon that is teaching MAT pay (I work in a state school covered buy the burgandy book) Thank you all 😊

*by not buy

Why dont you arrange to have only a few months off?
Wouldn't it be better for you to return to work sooner as the primary earner and your husband to share some of your leave and then use childcare providers with the reduced feedsfor the rest of the time.

If her DH is a student, paternity leave isnt going to be an option unless he takes time out.

In a word.. no. Doubt you’ll be entitled to much tax credits if any either. You work full time in a fairly well paid job. Your local council won’t be able to help.

Everyone is entitled to child benefit under £50k, it’s a universal benefit so you will be able to claim that.

I’ve attached a photo - it tells you exactly what you get as per the burgundy book