Telling the job centre you're pregnant??

HCB · Oct 4th, 2010, 18:56 PM

I am currently claiming JSA since being made redundant towards the end of July. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a job yet and it's only going to get harder as I am now looking decidedly pregnant so even if I wanted to I can't really pretend. I am still looking for a job though but what will the job centre do or say if I told them I am pregnant? Will they or can they, even, stop my JSA? Is it like if you were employed where you have to tell them by your 25th week? I will be 15 weeks on Wednesday so wouldn't be able to go on MA yet (I am big for my dates because I'm carrying twins).

Has anyone had any experience of going through this? When did you tell the job centre you were pregnant and did it cause you any problems?

Thanks.

suzib76 · Oct 5th, 2010, 03:19 AM

if you are entitled to MA you can send in an application from 26 weeks, and it starts at 29 weeks, if you are not entitled for any reason you would be able to claim income support from 29 weeks, but definately get your MA application sent off at 26 weeks so you will know either way by the time you hit 29 weeks

wouldnt worry about telling the job centre, its naff all to do with them and they cant stop your money because of it

Sarachka · Oct 5th, 2010, 04:13 AM

I work for the JCP. Unless you stopped looking for work because you're pregnant, they won't have reason to stop your claim. So long as you continue to look for work, you're doing what you need to do to be eligible for JSA. You might want to mention it to them as they would then understand why its more difficult for you to find work, but it wouldn't change anything about your claim. 11 weeks before your due date you'd want to swap to income support / ESA as you'd be within your 'confinement' date.

I work predominantly with JSA so pls ask any questions you have and I'll do my best to answer.

Bottom line - don't worry, your claim will be fine

HCB · Oct 6th, 2010, 12:43 PM

Thank you to you both.

I know that I should be entitled to MA because I qualify according to all the government information I have read. However, I didn't realise I could put my claim in at 26 weeks so thanks for that bit of info. My 29 weeks and the week that my JSA would end if I don't find a job is actually the same week as well.

I am still looking for a job although it's blooming frustrating! It's good to know that I can keep trying without having any other stress with regards to money, which wouldn't help the pregnancy.

I found out I was pregnant around the time I was made redundant so timing wasn't great but i was still optimistic that I would find something new. However, there's hardly been any jobs around and now that I've started finding some that I can do I'm sure they won't employ me because of the pregnancy and how little time I'll be there before going on maternity leave.

xoxsarahxox · Oct 6th, 2010, 14:41 PM

i would imagine u are still classed as being able to activley seek work so they wont be able to stop your jsa, but there will come a point and i would guess it will br around 24 weeks when u legally have to tell an employer your pregnant that they will say your are not able to activley seek work and they will stop your jsa. i dont no how maternity allowance works for you as you have previously had a job but if u werent entitles to maternity allowance of some sort then you would definatly be entitled to income support. if you go and see someone at citizens advice then they will be able to tell u everthing u need to no money wise x

suzib76 · Oct 6th, 2010, 15:04 PM

^ not true they will know you are preganant but will not stop your jsa

Sarah10 · Oct 8th, 2010, 10:53 AM

I told them when i was about 20 weeks pregnant, it didn't make a difference, as long as you prove you are looking for work you can claim it until 29 weeks then change to IS if you want, or you have the choice to stay on JSA xx

HCB · Oct 11th, 2010, 18:54 PM

Thanks Sarah10. It's good to hear someone else having been through the same.

From what I can gather, though, I won't be entitled to IS because of OH. Also, at 29 weeks my JSA will actually end anyway (if I haven't found a job) and I should be going on to MA because by all accounts I qualify for it. It's all rather annoying as despite me not having an income apart from the JSA because it's the wrong type of JSA I won't qualify for the Sure Start grant. That would have come in rather handy!

eloisedarren · Aug 20th, 2012, 09:09 AM

Please can someone help!!!
At the beginning of 2011 my husband and I decided to try for a 2nd child in 2012 but by September 2011 we found ourselves both out of work which meant putting off planning for our 2nd child, my husband is now working again with a good company and good working hours but I have been struggling for over 10 months now to find work our son is now 4 and starting school and talks quiet often about having a brother or sister and we have now decided that come September we'll try for a 2nd child as I would be unemployed for 12 months.
I have been claiming JSA now for about 6 months and have looked at the MA details but no-where does it state that people unemployed for long periods are entitled to it and I'm scared to discuss the matter with them in case they decide to stop my JSA claim - does anyone have any advice for us please we're so wanting a 2nd child but are very worried that my unemployment will result in us not having a 2nd child.

MrsRH · Aug 20th, 2012, 14:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eloisedarren

Please can someone help!!!
At the beginning of 2011 my husband and I decided to try for a 2nd child in 2012 but by September 2011 we found ourselves both out of work which meant putting off planning for our 2nd child, my husband is now working again with a good company and good working hours but I have been struggling for over 10 months now to find work our son is now 4 and starting school and talks quiet often about having a brother or sister and we have now decided that come September we'll try for a 2nd child as I would be unemployed for 12 months.I have been claiming JSA now for about 6 months and have looked at the MA details but no-where does it state that people unemployed for long periods are entitled to it and I'm scared to discuss the matter with them in case they decide to stop my JSA claim - does anyone have any advice for us please we're so wanting a 2nd child but are very worried that my unemployment will result in us not having a 2nd child.

to claim MA, you need to have been employed and earned the required amount (least £30 per week) for 26 weeks out of the test period which is 66 weeks prior to your due date.

so for you, you would need to find a job soon-ish and have worked 26 weeks prior to your due date (when that comes!!) to get MA. If you get a job prior to falling pregnant, you may be able to get SMP which is more money

if you remain unemployed before you have your baby, you won't be entitled to MA and any benefits will depend on your OH's income

hth

x

Oct 4th, 2010, 18:56 PM	#1
HCB Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Northampton Posts: 293	Telling the job centre you're pregnant?? I am currently claiming JSA since being made redundant towards the end of July. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find a job yet and it's only going to get harder as I am now looking decidedly pregnant so even if I wanted to I can't really pretend. I am still looking for a job though but what will the job centre do or say if I told them I am pregnant? Will they or can they, even, stop my JSA? Is it like if you were employed where you have to tell them by your 25th week? I will be 15 weeks on Wednesday so wouldn't be able to go on MA yet (I am big for my dates because I'm carrying twins). Has anyone had any experience of going through this? When did you tell the job centre you were pregnant and did it cause you any problems? Thanks.

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Oct 5th, 2010, 03:19 AM	#2
suzib76 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: x scotland x Posts: 6,664	if you are entitled to MA you can send in an application from 26 weeks, and it starts at 29 weeks, if you are not entitled for any reason you would be able to claim income support from 29 weeks, but definately get your MA application sent off at 26 weeks so you will know either way by the time you hit 29 weeks wouldnt worry about telling the job centre, its naff all to do with them and they cant stop your money because of it

Status: Online

Oct 5th, 2010, 04:13 AM	#3
Sarachka Pregnant (Expecting) BnB Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: England Posts: 5,204	I work for the JCP. Unless you stopped looking for work because you're pregnant, they won't have reason to stop your claim. So long as you continue to look for work, you're doing what you need to do to be eligible for JSA. You might want to mention it to them as they would then understand why its more difficult for you to find work, but it wouldn't change anything about your claim. 11 weeks before your due date you'd want to swap to income support / ESA as you'd be within your 'confinement' date. I work predominantly with JSA so pls ask any questions you have and I'll do my best to answer. Bottom line - don't worry, your claim will be fine

Status: Offline

Oct 6th, 2010, 12:43 PM	#4
HCB Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Northampton Posts: 293	Thank you to you both. I know that I should be entitled to MA because I qualify according to all the government information I have read. However, I didn't realise I could put my claim in at 26 weeks so thanks for that bit of info. My 29 weeks and the week that my JSA would end if I don't find a job is actually the same week as well. I am still looking for a job although it's blooming frustrating! It's good to know that I can keep trying without having any other stress with regards to money, which wouldn't help the pregnancy. I found out I was pregnant around the time I was made redundant so timing wasn't great but i was still optimistic that I would find something new. However, there's hardly been any jobs around and now that I've started finding some that I can do I'm sure they won't employ me because of the pregnancy and how little time I'll be there before going on maternity leave.

Status: Offline

Oct 6th, 2010, 14:41 PM	#5
xoxsarahxox Mum (Mom) Active BnB Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: bedworth Posts: 934	i would imagine u are still classed as being able to activley seek work so they wont be able to stop your jsa, but there will come a point and i would guess it will br around 24 weeks when u legally have to tell an employer your pregnant that they will say your are not able to activley seek work and they will stop your jsa. i dont no how maternity allowance works for you as you have previously had a job but if u werent entitles to maternity allowance of some sort then you would definatly be entitled to income support. if you go and see someone at citizens advice then they will be able to tell u everthing u need to no money wise x

Status: Offline

Oct 6th, 2010, 15:04 PM	#6
suzib76 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: x scotland x Posts: 6,664	^ not true they will know you are preganant but will not stop your jsa

Status: Online

Oct 8th, 2010, 10:53 AM	#7
Sarah10 Other Inactive Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 4,911	I told them when i was about 20 weeks pregnant, it didn't make a difference, as long as you prove you are looking for work you can claim it until 29 weeks then change to IS if you want, or you have the choice to stay on JSA xx
Sarah10 Other Inactive Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 4,911
Status: Offline

Oct 11th, 2010, 18:54 PM	#8
HCB Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Northampton Posts: 293	Thanks Sarah10. It's good to hear someone else having been through the same. From what I can gather, though, I won't be entitled to IS because of OH. Also, at 29 weeks my JSA will actually end anyway (if I haven't found a job) and I should be going on to MA because by all accounts I qualify for it. It's all rather annoying as despite me not having an income apart from the JSA because it's the wrong type of JSA I won't qualify for the Sure Start grant. That would have come in rather handy!

Status: Offline

Aug 20th, 2012, 09:09 AM	#9
eloisedarren Mum (Mom) New BnB member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 3	Please can someone help!!! At the beginning of 2011 my husband and I decided to try for a 2nd child in 2012 but by September 2011 we found ourselves both out of work which meant putting off planning for our 2nd child, my husband is now working again with a good company and good working hours but I have been struggling for over 10 months now to find work our son is now 4 and starting school and talks quiet often about having a brother or sister and we have now decided that come September we'll try for a 2nd child as I would be unemployed for 12 months. I have been claiming JSA now for about 6 months and have looked at the MA details but no-where does it state that people unemployed for long periods are entitled to it and I'm scared to discuss the matter with them in case they decide to stop my JSA claim - does anyone have any advice for us please we're so wanting a 2nd child but are very worried that my unemployment will result in us not having a 2nd child.

Status: Offline

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