Benefits while on Maternity leave?

[Mum2b_Claire]

My work is paying me half pay plus SMP until 6 months mat leave is up, then SMP only til 9 months, then the remaining 3 months unpaid.
So the last 6 months will be a massive drop in our income. My parents will be helping us make ends meet but has anyone else in a similar situation been able to claim any additional benefits just for a few months?
We seem to pay a ridiculous amount of council tax, so when I'm on no pay it will come to more than 10% of OH's salary! Surely we could get some help with that?

 

[Celesse]

Your working tax credits and child tax credits may go up depending on your partners pay. The last 3 months when you are not receiving SMP you are classed as not working, so won't be entitled to working tax credits, though your partner may be.

You may qualify for council tax benefit, but I think your income has to be very low to get it.

try www.entitledto.co.uk

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

Thanks for that, we will get a small amount of Child Tax credit, but we don't qualify for any working tax credit even when we'll be on OH's salary only. You're right, it seems you have to be on a seriously low salary to get council tax benefit. Grrr council tax!

 

[lesleyann]

yeah council tax benefit is hard to get even we dont get any help on it on a 14k pr year income from oh's job even though we are allowed housing benefit

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

I hate council tax! However I just realised the 2 months 'off' you get will coincide with me being on no pay so that will help a lot