What happens if I don’t return to work after my maternity leave?

Does ur state help with childcare vouchers ?

not sure where you are from but if UK - working people get either 15 or 30 free hours childcare, whether it’s a nursery or a nanny. i’m sure if you’re only doing 15 hours UC can top your pay up (i think i’m not 100% sure)

this is currently only from the age of 2, from September it’s being increased to the age of 9 months but it’s the term after the baby turns 9 months so this info is all dependant on babies age.
You also have to earn a certain amount to qualify.

Yes I’m from the UK. I’d rather not go back to work and just be with my baby though until he’s 2 and goes to nursery

But from my mat leave finishing and him turning 2 they’ll be at least 1 year

Have I technically made myself unemployed if I. Don’t go back after? In the eyes of UC

yes! all depends on OPs child’s age thank you for explaining it better!

OP - so if like me, your child is nearly 5 months, if i remember correctly when i last did my check, he would start nursery in september (that’s when they are bringing out the 15/30 free hours) but if you don’t want to send your baby to nursery that young that’s completely your choice :) it really isn’t fair how little time we get! however i think you technically have/will make yourself unemployed unless you get fired?😅

You don’t “have” to work until baby is 3 I think it is, so in the grand scheme of things even if you don’t return - yes you can claim UC but the amount you’ll get isn’t a lot.

A single claimant over 25 with 1 child is only £681 - then if you need to pay rent you’ll get rent on top of this but again depending on your local housing rate they may not cover your full rent x

As Aimee stated above, you’re protected and are not required to return to work until your child is 3 years old.

The amount you receive will likely not be a lot, but it may very well be more or the same as working and covering all work-related expenses as well as childcare.

As for your other question, not returning to work does mean you will be considered unemployed until you return to employment.

this isn't true for the whole of the UK, in Scotland funding starts from age 2 for some children and age 3 for the rest

First thing I'd check is whether you'd have to pay back any additional maternity pay/allowance if you got any (ie if your employer offers anything above the legal minimum).

You could also consider applying for extended leave so you could still go back to your current employer but take an extra year or whatever off. I'm not sure how that would work with benefits though

ye would help if OP stated child age & her location. like i said i wasn’t sure where she was from :) but scotland never really comes to my head unfortunately i forget thats a place in the UK 🤣 some easy google research goes a long way i guess, was speaking from personal experience when i was doing my own research about when i can send my lo to nursery. sorry for the confusion this has caused!!

Who’s OP? if you’re referring to me then he’s obviously young enough for me to still be in maternity leave. Yes I could Google it but I like to ask other people who know the process or have or are currently doing it themselves.

OP means original poster ☺️

i can’t tag you as you’re incog - apologies for offending you! wasn’t my intention at all. i was giving my experience and how i’ve looked into nursery.

my comment for “some easy google research goes a long way” was referring to myself ❤️

Oh sorry for taking that the wrong way! ❤️