Bridging the gap between maternity benefit and returning to work?

So it will be 26 weeks maternity benefit, then parents benefit for 7 weeks then with her employers agreement it will be annual leave if ye want to have income every week.

You can also take 7 weeks parents benefit and 2 weeks paternity benefit and stay home to mind the baby while she goes back to work

Unpaid maternity leave means no wages and no SW but you are accruing holidays and public holidays while you’re on it.

Getting married and doesn’t need to cost much and is a great help as you can switch around the tax credits in periods where only one of you is in employment.

No, you are misinformed.

Parents Benefit is paid by SW.

You are confusing it with parental leave. Search for “ parents benefit” on the citizens information website and give it a good read. It’s all there.