What am I entitled to?

[Laucu]

I am on maternity leave (and only receiving maternity allowance) and my husband has just lost his job and is on JSA...is there anything I should be claiming for apart from the obvious housing benefit etc? I have just filled out a form for the healthy start vouchers, but is there anything else I am missing?

 

[mammyagain]

I am also curious about this, I am not due until April but already I am in a panic about how I am going to manage. I am on my own, I work full time, I will get statutory maternity pay which shared over the months I am off is less than half of my now monthly salary.... surely there must be something else I can claim whilst on maternity leave? SMP is only going to cover like my rent and council tax.... how on earth am I going to manage....

 

[Laucu]

You'll definitely get financial help in the form on housing benefit, council tax benefit, tax credits.....try the benefits calculator on the direct.gov website!

 

[mammyagain]

You'll definitely get financial help in the form on housing benefit, council tax benefit, tax credits.....try the benefits calculator on the direct.gov website!

Thank you... Will my tax credits go up whilst on Maternity Leave do you think? Also I am not sure if I'd qualify for housing benefit whilst on Mat Leave.

Did you find any info out for yourself? xx

 

[Laucu]

Well, whilst my husband was unemployed we were entitled to full housing benefit, full council tax benefit, tax credits, as well as healthy start vouchers and his JSA. We also got a card through the post that gives us free prescriptions etc for a year.

Now DH is back at work we'll get nothing except child benefit!

Your tax credits may go up - they don't count the first £100 per week so will calculate your income as £35.45 per week... give them a ring and check! Don't miss out!