What am I entitled to claim?

[Tezzabell]

Please help as this is really confusing and stressing me out...nothing seems simple.

I have a child (nearly 5) and am currently 31 weeks pregnant.

My husband is self employed...hard to say hours....one week could be really busy...the next..nothing. Added to this..hours don't really reflect pay as there is obvioulsy not an hourly rate etc and he could work for cheaper some weeks to get work.

After my daughter I had severe post natal depression and I suffer really bad for my nerves....I was claiming ESA up until June last year. In September I got a job just working cover shifts if anyone was ill or on holiday at a school just as a mid day assistant. I applied for and was accepted for this is September but I dont think they officially employed me until December when I first did some hours.....7 hours in total.

Now, I am unsure what I can claim to help with our financial situation. I am unable to work because i'm obvioulsy going to have a baby soon so cant claim JSA, cannot claim income support as my husband is classed as working ful time. Everyone I try to speak to on the phone seems unhelpful as this situation is really uspetting me.

Please help and advise.....I would be most appreciative.

[cathfromsaron]

from what you have said, you should be getting working tax credit based on last *financial* year's income (your p60 and your husband's declared profit), child benefit and council tax benefit (unlikely, if your income is low enough and you can be bothered)

if you will need to pay for registered childcare (and can get a more structured job after your maternity leave) then you will get working tax credit childcare component too (subject to your total level of income of course)!

you should be already getting the 'child' portion of this anyway? from memory £520ish per year for basic-rate tax payers, more if you are on low incomes!

i'm sorry you have ben confused! you sound like you may need more support!

go on this and put in what figures you know:

http://taxcredits.hmr...hatAreTaxCredits.aspx



cath x

[cathfromsaron]

been*

[sheribee]

Yes you should be getting working tax credits and child tax credits. I wouldnt have thought there would be anything else as like you say he is classed as self employed. They have stopped the sure start grant now unless you are having ur 1st baby. I am 37 wks pregnant and my husband is ill following an accident and depression, we are not entitled to any help with our new baby ( have a 12yrold and 9 yrold) which was a surprise baby. if you go onto turn2us.co.uk there is a benefits calculator on there, that will definately tell you exactly what you can claim x good luck x