benefits help

[betty-boop]

Not sure if i'm putting this in the right section?....
Anyways, I am currenlty on maternity leave as i have a 9 week old baby. Can someone tell me what benefits my partner and i are entitled too? My parner has a job but hours vary seasonly. I worked full time on a fairly good wage but maternity pay is rubbish. I have worked since I was 14 and would love to just be a stay at home mum rather than go back to work in a few months, but am not sure how to go about getting help with our rent and benefits. we have already set up family allowance and am waiting to hear back about tax credits. am i missing any others out? Makes me sick how all these people get help when they are too lazy to get a job or they are foreigners, when i've worked hard my whole life and never claimed a penny, yet desperetly need it.

[Richard1966]

The benefits you have applied for Child and Working tax credits are means tested. This means that they will look at you and your partners income and savings when assessing what you may be entitled to. Housing benefit or Local Housing Allowance to help with rent and council tax benefit to help with, guess what, council tax, is also means tested. LHA and CTB are claimed through your local council.

this is a good site to help you calculate entitlements

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

[bednobs]

What season does your husband mainly work in? If it's summer, why not let him look after the baby and go back to work yourself? No matter what benefits you're entitled to, it will never be as good as working. Also, parents can now swap maternity leave for paternity leave, so if you went back to work your paRtner could get "your" maternity pay, s you'd be able to work full time AND have the mat pay

[ladybird49]

Youve worked all your life?how old are you ?

[B00]

"Makes me sick how all these people get help when they are too lazy to get a job or they are foreigners, when i've worked hard my whole life and never claimed a penny, yet desperetly need it. "

Who said if you do a bit of detective work that you won't receive the same benefits? The only way it should make you "feel sick" would be if you can't get the same handouts, and to be honest, you haven't looked into it to find that out yet have you?

[superavon]

you need redhelen

[B00]

Whilst im not knocking Helen, and im really not, she knows her stuff. This lady needs to contact the DSS and find out for herself what she's entitled to, instead of sitting there sla88ing off other people for claiming benefits she herself hasn't bothered finding out about.

[superavon]

True Boo.was just trying to help

[sandyRoe]

I don't know what benefits you're entitled to, but I do know life on benefits is no bed of roses.

[naomi24]

Why have children if you can't afford them? It's imperative that society cares for people who can't care for themselves, but I really don't agree with those who choose a lifestyle and then expect the public coffers to support them.

[bigglez]

I aint payin tax 2 keep u n ur kid. Got mine 2 keep

[betty-boop]

Jeez i think you've taken my post the wrong way!! I don't want 'a life on benefits'. I'm simply asking what benefits i would be 'entitled' too, as i have tried looking it up and it is all gobbledegook to me. I won't ask in future.

[cathfromsaron]

my husband's work is seasonal BUT his annual pay is just that ... we budget to ensure we have enough to live on in the 'short' months!

the tax credit people only want to know about annual pay - or estimated - so if his work is seasonal, unless he can sign on which i doubt - it makes no difference! your pays will be added together and that will be your household income!

i didn't work for 7 years when my own children were small (twenty odd years ago) and now i work 26 hours AND look after my grandson!

i would never leave your job if i were you!

try to be a bit less denigrating to asylem seekers and the unemployed though! until you have walked a mile in their shoes ...

[bigglez]

asulum seeks can go bearfot. my shoes r 4 me