Tax credits while on maternity leave?

[Dinah93]

I've never claimed benefits before so have no idea if what I've been told is correct. If anyone can advise I would really appreciate it. One of the other mums on the neonatal ward was saying they'll be getting child tax credits while she's on maternity leave, yet I know her DH earns a lot more than mine, so that got me wondering if we'd be entitled too. I've tried using that calculator but to be honest I'm at a bit of a loss.
Our situation:
Our little girl was born on 26th March 2012, I plan to take the full years maternity leave.
My income is usually £27,800 pa. On maternity I get 90% for 6 weeks, then 50% pay weeks 7-20 as well as SMP, then just SMP until week 39, then weeks 40-52 are unpaid. I pay student loan and into a pension. I've been told you don't count the first £100 a week of SMP towards tax credits or some such thing?
My DH earns £16,000, this is rising to £17,000 on June 1st. He has no student loan or pension.
We receive child benefit.
How on earth do I know how much I put down as what I earn in the 2012-2013 tax year in order to get an accurate result from the calculator? Also if we are entitled to anything, would it be in 2013-2014 we'd actually receive it ie after the end of the current tax year?

 

[hulahoop09]

It confuses me!! We used to earn approx 31.5k between us (2011-2012) and were entitled to £45 ctc a month. But from april if you earn £26k between you (we earn £500 over this) you arent entitled to any. Ours stopped from end of march.

I was on smp (90% for 6 weeks then £128 a week for 33 weeks - cant afford to take the last 3 months unpaid )

If you are unsure give them a call.

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