Child benefits

[gaz_farr]

Hi

My girlfriend has just found out she's preganant - due July this year.

We currently live together and have a shared income of about �35000 a year.

What sort of benefit are we entitled too if she went back to work after her 6 months maternity leave.

also how muh would it be if she decided to stay home and give up work (our income would be (25000)

thanks all

[loopyc]

hi congratulations! i know you are definatly entiltled to child benifit about �50 per month. you could also be entitled to child tax and working families tax the amount im not sure off but try logging on to the inland revenue workings famiels tax web site that should give you an idea of how much you get.

now get some sleep because your going to need it x

[kazza12345]

you would get normal child benefit, 17 pounds a week, (untaxed, non means tested).

you may also be entitled to child/family tax credit, but the amount would depend on your exact circumstances regarding money

[gary baldy]

You will certainly get child benefit but if your wife goes back to work it is doubtful you will get much tax credits on your combined income. You will however possibly get help with child care.
Tax credits on your single income of 25k will not be much either - about �15 to �20 a week. Not much i know but a great help in the first year.
In our experience the combination of CB and TC will keep you in nappies and formula and for the first year thats all your baby is going to cost you.
On a more personal level benefits will not compensate you financially for the loss of income but your new little family will benefit emotionally greatly if your wife extends her maternity leave a bit longer - good for both parents and the baby.

[kick3m0n]

Hi Gaz, congratulations. Advcie you've been given above is pretty much spot on, tho I definitely agree with Gary about extending maternity leave if you can afford it. Don't underestimate how difficult it may be for your partner to return to work, especially if she feels she has to for financial reasons. Also, good child care is not cheap, unless you have a family member willing to help, and this will eat into her earnings (tho I think you can get help with childcare costs - you could probably check on the gov website noted below).

You can input some numbers into the tax credits website and it will give you an approximation of what you may receive, they have a sort of ready reckoner...go to www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits and take it from there. On 27,500 single income (I gave up work) we get about 30 quid a month tax credits.

Enjoy the next few months, all the best to your wee family when the time comes. xx

[SC00BY]

The website is pretty helpful, but personally your best bet s to visit your nearest tax office. They are really helpful and will run through all the benefits with you. We sorted all our tax credit/child tax credit queries in one go!

[angie19]

hiya.congratulations.speaking from experience.i know you will definiteley recieve child benefit,regardless of your income.as for working tax credit,we earn less than you combined wages,and my husband only gets �32 per week working tax credit,i receive child tax credit of �106.04 per weeks also,i get that regardless whether im working or not (which i am) because we are on a low income.but again that is based on how many children you have.only one of you can claim working tax credit.saying that, if your girlfriend stays home after the baby,and your wages go down,you are not entitled to any help,(apart from the above)as your annual income is higher than a certain limit,to receive help.i know it sounds confusing.but i wish you all the best with the baby.if i can be of any more help just ask!!

[sunflower68]

gaz_farr congrats to you both, how lovely! Don't forget good old Gordon Brown now gives newborns a trust fund. I'm not sure if it's about �500. good luck.

[gary baldy]

Its a bit late now but ive just re-read your question and i see you are not married. i think this does have some bearing on what you recieve and how much it is.