Not returning to work

Hi girls, just looking for a little bit of advice. I’ve came to the concconclusion that I won’t be returning to work in January when I’m due to go back. Has anyone else not returned to work after maternity leave? I’m just curious to see what benefits I could possibly claim off the government. Our annual income (my partners) is £37000 so I was just wondering what I would actually be entitled to or if anyone is in a similar situation. The government website is so contradictory and confusing I don’t know where to start with it all. Any help would be massively appreciated thank you!xxxx
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Wondering if there’s a stay at home group on peanut where people would definitely know the answer to this? Following in case Someone answers here…

Use the entitledto website. You enter all the information and it'll give you a rough idea of what you're entitled to. I would say that with that salary and no childcare, you won't be entitled to anything other than child benefit I'm afraid but definitely worth checking out on the website x

I mean this in the kindest way and with no judgement at all, but can you afford not to go back to work if you’re needing to top up with benefits to fill the gap? Being able to be a SAHM is financially a huge privilege that not many families can afford - often the family unit is much poorer as a result. I’d be worried about putting my family in a precarious financial position, given how things are going in the U.K. right now. And thinking long term, the hit to pensions and future earning power can be huge. Just something to consider 💐 With the free childcare hours, could you go back to work maybe part time?

@Sally not everybody gets free childcare hours, and this is a U.K. wide sub. It’s very normal to take a career break to raise your children. Benefits are there to be used. There’s a reason that stay at home mums are entitled to benefits from the government.

My mum wanted to stay at home to raise her children but couldn’t burden my dad with bringing enough money for all of us, so she became a child minder. It was great as we got to have her home, but she was still working. I don’t think it’s as simple as choosing not to work to claim benefits. I have family members that have multiple kids below 4 and so literally can’t afford to send them to nursery full time so the mum has not worked. But then it’s all on the partner to bring in the wage. X

Unfortunately with that household income you won’t be entitled to anything other than child benefit.

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