End of maternity pay need to work

[BonBon1973]

Hi,
My maternity pay finishes in December and although I?m not due to return to work until the end of March (3 months unpaid leave)our circumstances are such that I would like to return to work in January.
However, I do not want to return to work during the day as I would prefer to stay at home during the day to look after my little one (Wages will barely cover nursery fees + I don?t want to leave him with one). I am willing to work evenings but sadly my current employer cannot offer me evening work so I have no choice but to hand in my notice and seek alternative employment.
Given the current climate I might not be able to get a job in January and I just wondered what I would need to do if I cant get work. Do I sign on? Can I sign on?
Also how does tax credits work, will these change? Or will I have to wait until April to find out?
If anyone know any details or where I can find detail I would be greatly appreciative.
Thanks

Bonbon try entitled to website. I'm not sure whether you could claim JSA if you have willingly walked away from a job, which you would be doing. Not sure about tax credits either, hopefully that site will help you.

To sign on you have to be available for work for 40 hours per week, so I suppose every night would constitute that. You also have to have paid enough NI contributions for the previous past 2 tax years. I am not sure if SMP counts toward this.That is for contribution based job seekers whilst there is an income support based one which is different. I have a dilemma too as I wish to give up one of my 2 jobs due to childcare but not sure if I meet the criteria.