What happens if I don’t return to work after maternity leave

[Monandted]

Hi my baby is due in June and I will be getting 39 weeks paid maternity leave (SMP). I don’t want to return to work after these 39 weeks is up and wondering what kind of help /benefits I’d be entitled to if I don’t go back to work .

I imagine it depends on your family circumstances eg whether you are married/have a partner, household income levels, private income etc. Worth considering, if you haven’t already, what provision you will make for a pension if you won’t have a personal income.

Are you going to be paid enhanced maternity leave by your employer? Most with have a clawback provision, if so.

There’s probably some sort of ‘what am I entitled to’ calculator on the gov.uk website too.

I don’t want to be rude but lots of people don’t fancy going back to work and do because they need to financially provide. There may be more to it but your OP reads as ignorant you expect to be given benefits because you ‘don’t want to work’. Given the state the economy is in both nationally and individually don’t be surprised if that doesn’t go down well with people on here.

I’m my opinion if you have resigned because you are a SAHM you need to be able to cover your costs as a household. If you need to look to the taxpayer to fund that choice then you can’t afford it. Like a lot of other people.

It'll depend if you've taken any paid leave from your employer. If so you might have to repay some if you don't return. However they might owe you some annual leave payments. Don't forget you'll need to give your usual notice too.

Benefits wise it'll depend if you have a partner and what they earn. The entitled to website is good. Child benefit is one. Universal credit it goes on earnings and savings for both of you if you have a partner.

If its ordinary smp then you can resign effective from end of 39 weeks smp.
You can if lone parent claim universal credit alongside.

Just for those saying about the tax payer etc I’ve worked for 15 years also I have no one to have my child which is why I can’t return to work when said child is 6 months old as nursery fees each week are more than I would earn

Of you read the post I stated I don’t have anyone to have my child and nursery fees are more than my wage

You will be able to get financial support towards the cost of childcare.

You will probably get more financial support by going back to work, at least part time. You’ll get money towards nursery fees and money towards your cost of living if you do, on top of your wage.

OP you didn’t actually state that in your initial post, hence my reply. Have you investigated support to enable you to pay for childcare and stay in work? Or are you less keen for that kind of support?

Have a look at the turn2us calculator, I m due in October and get just above minimum wage and haven't made a decision either way for certain yet but my partner's income means the amount of childcare we d be entitled to isn't much.

Nursery fees are absolutely outrageous. Especially if you have more than one child.
I’d give citizen advice a call, or email. To find out entitlement.
Good luck xxx

www.entitledto.co.uk

If you visit this website and input your details then it will tell you how much you would be entitled to. As PP have said you do get help towards the cost of childcare so you should still be better off going back to work (that's how it's meant to work anyway).

When you say you'll get 39 weeks paid maternity is that SMP or does you employer have a policy that means you will get extra? Just checking because a lot of employers will have conditions whereby you need to pay back any additional contributions if you don't return.

Looked in to help with childcare and I’ve been told I’m not entitied to help 🥺
I will only get SMP not any kind of contracted from my employer so no need to pay it back.

Just for those making comments about rinsing the tax payers money I do my self pay tax and wouldn’t mine “my money” being spent on helping children be cared for rather than given out in benefits to the local druggy!!

Are you a lone parent? Do you work full time? If you're both working you are entitled to help with childcare - the tax free scheme gives 20% off the fees for a start. I'd have loved to have not returned to work after having DS, but needs must.

Benefits are subject to lots of factors and it's my understanding you can't just go on them because you don't WANT to work - you need to be demonstrating that you are actively looking for employment? Where is the dad in all this and have you looked at childminders rather than nurseries as they are much cheaper?

As long as both you work over a set number of hours a week then you are entitled to tax free childcare which will give you 20% off nursery fees

www.gov.uk/get-tax-free-childcare

I’d wait and see. Many women skip back to work merrily!

I think it was the phrasing that you don’t want to return to work op that caused the confusion, If you’d written you can’t, because of child care, it would have been different

@Bluntness100

I still think even if OP had said she CANT return due to childcare she'd get the same response - I really don't understand how people can be so naive when they get pregnant about how much it costs to raise a child and expect the tax payer to pick up the cost by going on to benefits

If you don't want to go back to work it would have been sensible to look into the financial situation first. You need specific advice for your own circumstances.

It's relatively simple. The child's father will be able to support you. Won't he?

And paying your taxes is not a savings scheme I'm afraid. It doesn't entitle you to anything at all.

Ignore the pearl-clutchers, go on entitledto and talk to citizens advice.

“Of you read the post I stated I don’t have anyone to have my child and nursery fees are more than my wage”

You did not....no need to rip into people!

The child's father will be able to support you. Won't he?

If they are not together he is only obliged to pay the minimum in CMS which is intended to help cost of raising the child not allow mother to stay off work at her own choosing?