Quit My Job To Look After Baby

[Steamrunner]

Hey all, long time lurker, first time poster.
I've quit my low paid job to look after our son, while my higher paid girlfriend goes back to work as her maternity leave has finished.
I'm wondering what, if any benefits I'll be eligible for, and any help or advice would be very welcome, thanks

No advice but wanted to bump - and welcome to Mumsnet!

First thing to do is the get the Child Benefit paid in your name. I can't remember what this protects (I thought it was NI contributions but I think from another discussion on MN it doesn't) but it does something!

Depending on how much your girlfriend is earning you may qualify for Working Tax / Family Tax Credits. Although be slightly wary as the Inland Revenue seem to have a random number generator that they use to determine what, if anything, to pay you.

There may be a benefits advice clinic locally; the health visitor should know, so worth checking.

Hope things go well for you; my dh is a SAHD but not a very typical one as he's chronically ill as well so not able to do the whole 'mums' and baby scene.

Not sure if you will be eligible for any benefits as you've given up work voluntarily and are not looking for another job, but I may be wrong. Someone will undoubtedly be along shortly with better advice.

thanks for the help

Welcome! I have absolutely no idea about benefits but have you checked directgov?

Don't know what there will be in the way of benefits, as presumably you're not available for work if you've given up to look after your dc, but good luck

Family allowance you can definately claim, CTC and WTC depending on your household income.

Find out about Maternity Allowance (look at Direct.gov). I don't know if men are entitled to it - but if they are not then it may be discriminating against men.