How do i work out what I'm entitled to?

Question

My husband and I are expecting our first child in January. Following advice from friends and family I am trying to work out whether it will be more beneficial for my husband to stay in his current job or for him to get a better paid one?! it sounds confusing but we don't want to be worse off at the end of the day if we miss out on vital benefits because he got a better paid job which means we're not entitled to benefits anymore. How do I work out what benefits and tax relief we'd be entitled to and how much we would recieve? It's all so confusing!!!

Thank you (",) x

Answer 1

If your joint income is between 22500 and 58000 all you qualify for is 535 p.a. So unless there is a massive change in his wages it will not make much (if any) difference to the Tax Credits

use the online calculator to work out amounts

http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov....

Answer 2

go to citizens advise is your best bet..

Answer 3

http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov....

The above link is to the tax credits calculator, there you are able to type in several different scenario's- see how you get on and then determine what you want to do. Good luck. xx

Also check out directgov.uk and CAB website for further advice. xx

Job centre plus will only do a BOC (better off calculation) if you are currently in receipt of a benefit as they would prefer you are in work, but when it comes to the other way round......hmmm...not sure they will, unless YOU are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

This may sound daft if your husband is currently working, but you are still eligable to claim Jobseekers allowance contributary based if you have worked for the qualifying years, and so would then be able to get a BOC. Tax credits would also pay toward child care if both you and your husband worked.....

Answer 4

Don't you think you could be encouraging him to under-achieve, and stall on his professional ladder, just for some benefits?

Answer 5

The people at the benefits agency can run a BOC for you

Its a better off calculation and let you how much Family Tax etc you can claim with different wages from your hubby