How does it all work?

[preggersshock]

I am currently 32 weeks pregnant, heading off on maternity leave in 4 weeks time, I have committed to be on maternity leave for 6 months only because I believe that realistically we could not afford for me to be off any longer than this, (my company offer 6 weeks at 90% and then statutory which leaves me £450 a week short for every week I have off work after the 6 weeks).

I am questioning if I am actually right to return to work, considering child care costs. I have no idea where to even start in terms of what benefits I might be entitled to if I don't go back to work? Can anyone offer any advice?

You can put your details into entitledto.co.uk and see if you are likely to get any benefits both if returning to work and also if not. Are you single or with a partner? What is yours and partner's gross annual income? I may be able to give you a vague idea of the chances of getting any help :)

Find out if your employer does childcare vouchers.
It's actually cheaper for me to be in work even though I earn less than the national average.

Dueling - they do childcare vouchers but we are going to go with a childminder, apparently we can't use them for this?

Rockchick - am married, we don't do too badly at the moment on our combined salary, probably a mid erning bracket, I am the main earner... so without my salary we are screwed. Have checked out entitledto.co.uk, really helpful - thank you

Most childminders accept childcare vouchers, so long as they are OFSTED registered. If your DH's salary is over £26k you will only get child benefit (remember it will also take into account anything you have already earned this tax year) we really struggled when I first became a SAHM as DH's salary plus the small amount I'd earned that tax year meant we weren't eligible for tax credits. We get a small amount now but it really makes a difference.