In this guide, you’ll learn the key considerations, work through a practical example and find useful next steps. Take your time and use the free worksheets to put ideas into practice.
What you’ll take away
Map the dates
Check entitlements
Test the reduced-income budget
Map the dates
Write down expected leave dates and when each income payment starts and stops.
Check entitlements
Review statutory maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental arrangements and any employer enhancement.
Test the reduced-income budget
Compare essentials and childcare costs with your expected income during leave.
Plan the return
Allow for travel, childcare deposits and changes in working hours.
What to gather
Employer leave policy and payslips
Expected leave and return dates
A budget for reduced-income months
Putting your learning into practice
Use the guidance above to identify the information you need and the questions to investigate. Consider:
Map the dates.
Check entitlements.
Test the reduced-income budget.
Plan the return.
This is general financial education, not a personal recommendation, an assessment of suitability or an invitation to buy or arrange a financial product. Check current official information and obtain appropriate professional advice for individual circumstances.
Further help
For up-to-date rules and support, see this UK guidance resource. Check which rules apply in your part of the UK.
This is general educational information, not personalised financial, tax, legal, business or care advice. Rules and eligibility can change; seek regulated or qualified advice when needed.
Put your learning into practice
Explore the workbook for your situation and record your own figures.
Ask about the topic you’ve just read. We can explain general information and signpost independent support, but cannot provide personalised regulated financial advice.
