Benefits etc.

[libb]

Please can someone explain to me in idiot trems (I will try to understand!) what I may be entitled to if I decided to return to work part time or not at all when my maternity leave is over. I was working full time on £14000 before leaving. DP is on £17000.

The inland revenue calculator says we are not entitled to working tax credit but we are entitled to child tax credit. Also, what can you claim if you give up work completely? Sorry to be so dense - I think I have been reading too much bumph and now my head is too full!

I had no idea making a decision could be so tricky . . . .

Thanks in advance for any advice!

As your dh is working you won't be able to claim things like Income Support etc. As long as one of you is working you can claim Child Tax Credit. If you are both working you could also claim the childcare element of CTC for those days you are working. This can be claimed if you use a registered carer, eg childminder, nursery etc. The childcare element can't be claimed if a relative or friend (unregistered) looks after your child for you. Any clearer?

sorry to hikack the thread for a minute but ct - can you claim the childcare element for a relative who IS registered?

hikack - hijack I meant!!

I think you can, WK. As long as they are registered there shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks ct!

If you give up an ddp works you can claim ctc and possibly WFTC but no child care element

To claim the childcare element your part-time has to be a minimum of 16 hours a week.

This may help.