Returning to work after maternity leave

[Louise07]

Not sure if this is best section to post in but am really confused about going back to work after maternity leave. I am planning to take 9 months with SMP, but not sure after that. I am at a complete loss about what income / benefits we will receive as to work out how many hours to request to go back to at work. Eg, how do I know / where do I go to find out if I can get help with child care costs? Will this depend on how many hours worked / income? How will I know how many hours I can work until I know what child care costs and other financial help eg tax credits etc, we are entitled to. I have looked in on local CAB but they are only open for 3 hours twice a week and at times I cannot get there. Any help will be much appreciated

[redcrx]

after the 9 months i think you can have a further 3 months off unpaid, i dont think you can claim anything other than tax credits and child benefit during this time.

try putting in a few figures into this calculator to see what you may get in tax credits. http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/Qua lify/DIQHousehold.aspx.

to give you an idea of what childcare costs are my local nursery charges approx �30-35 a day (8-6)

[onlyme26]

hello,

i agree with above you can take more time if needed but wont get the pay, you will recieve child benefit from the day the baby is born, ( you have to apply for this)

you will get child tax credits and they also will pay upto 70% of your childcare , but i think they only pay for childcare when its for you to go to work,

and if you earn under �13000 ( i think its that amount) you will be entitled to working tax credit also

it all depends on your income and hours worked, you have to work over 16 hours and be on low income to recieve working tax credit but you will recieve child tax credit.

[natalie_1982]

http://www.entitledto.co.uk/
This website is also really helpful to get some ideas but in my experience until you are at the stage that you need the help, they won't tell you how much you qualify for, which isn't helpful atall. The best i can suggest is to prepare for the worst case scenario and then enjoy your maternity leave and sort it all out upon your return or when your return is imminent.

If this helps you atall.... my husband and I both work full time and have a joint income of �35K and have a mortgage, we don't get help with childcare costs but thankfully have a childcare voucher sceme at work which is a Godsend. We get �75 p/m tax credits and �18 p/w child benefit (as everyone does).

I found it really hard not knowing what I would do when I returned to work (I only returned three weeks ago and my baby is 7months). I arranged to go back to work full time, but did condensed hours so I do 37hours over four days and my daughter is at daycare for those four days, it is only now that I am getting back into the swing of working and am able to look at my finances to see if I can afford to drop another day, but then reduced hours means reduced wages but that in turn could increase my tax credits and means I will be spending lesson childcare. It's hit and miss really and I think you have to try and make the best of the very limited help out there!

[Mumof2]

Does the CAB office that you tried using offer outreach sessions or telephone only advice,or how about writing to them and then they may be able to gather all the info and write back to you
Good luck

[a-hen-86]

hi you can go back to work part time your employer should be bending around you..... Family tax credits you can go on the website for and make sure you fill in all forms accurately otherwise they can cliam money back off you which could sting. child benifits i would advise you speak to the job centre or Inland revenue as it is government generated. you are entitled to smp of 9 months and also if you feel you dont want to go back to work after 9 months you can request extended maternity leave but it is employers choice to pay you for it if your lucky they might give it you at half pay.

congratulations on the new arrival as and when he/she comes. or if he/she is already arrived in the world.