Ive been receiving statutory maternity pay while on mat-leave, which is teeny-tiny and so as it's just my income, I've been receiving some support from universal credit.
I am due back to work in June and feel it's a good idea to go back, at least for a day or two, so as to find my feet as a working mumma, rather than to apply for support from the government completely. I have a strong work ethnic, and tbh, I think it will be good for me, and my baby too, what with it being just her and I, 24/7!
As single parent I'm a bit lost as to how to decide how many days to go back to work, and how this will work out with my allowance from universal credit! Will I be worse off going back for 3 days, rather than 2 for example? Going back 2 or 3 days a week will not cover my living costs (as it's only my income), so I would need some extra support from UC. ( My baby will only be 1 in June and I think it would be so sad if I left her every single day, from 7am to 7pm )
I did go in and speak to someone at the job centre, but honestly, she was very vague! And it seems I wouldn't know what my UC allowance would be until after I've already started receiving my monthly salary from work! Which means I just don't know how many days I should go back for!
Any of you Mumma's have experience with how this all works? I'd so appreciate any advice.