Family allowance

[lollyone]

I'm confused.
This probably sounds really slack of me but-
My husband is full time employed and I'm on maternity. We get child tax credit payed in to the bank, but is family allowance different?
I filled in two lots of forms when our baby arrived but looking at our statements, only child tax credits are being payed in weekly. Would they both be included in this amount?
Also, I've decided to except voluntary redundancy and am having all my maternity payments in a lump sum. Will I be entitled to more tax credits?
I know this probably sounds like I'm really dim but I can't make head nor tail of any of the websites. :os
Thanks

[Francis Asis]

They are two different things. You should be getting about �80 every 4 weeks as child benefit.
I would ring the Child Tax Credits office and explain it all to them. They are really good.

[tequilamock]

You're not dim. It's very complicated. However, as the last poster said, do call the tax office - they are very, very helpful. You will also be entitled to the child care allowance part of working tax credit. This is a little-known area, and I think it is kept too quiet.... It can really mount up and also makes going back to work well worth it. Really!

Please do ask about it.

More here:
http://www.surestart.gov.uk/surestartservices/ support/helpwithchildcarecosts/childtaxcredit/

[lollyone]

Thank you.
I think I've found the family allowance payments monthly. They are not named on the statements like tax credits are.
I will call the tax office to see where I stand regarding he redundancy thing.Thanks for the link.
And I meant to type 'accept voluntary redundancy' not 'except' it! lol

Thanks again for your replies.

[jpm1909]

Family allowance is paid seperately, so should go into your bank as a seperate payment to your tax credits. You may want to ring the child benefit helpline 0845 302 1444 to check your claim. You may be entitled to more tax credits but I think it would depend on how much redundancy payment you receive as to whether it affects your payments or not. You can ring the Tax credit helpline 0845 300 3900 and they should be able to answer your questions. Hope this helps.

[mandiz]

They are two different credits, Family allowance is about �80 paid four weekly & the other is paid weekly, the amount can be from about �10 per week or if your husband is on a low income this could be more. I too was confused with them.