benefit advice for single mums?

[emme]

hi ladies, hope you don't mind me asking, but my friend is 20 wks pregnant and unfortunately recently split from her boyfriend, she's abit clueless as to how she will cope financialy once the baby arrives (she's not currently working either so won't be entitled to smp)

i just wondered if there is any other single mums on here that can shed some light on how much help she will get, she knows about housing benefit, but will she get anything else? her ex has told her he will give her £200 a month.

do the csa have to get involved at all even though they have agreed on £200 a month? he has already set up direct debit every month and until the birth its going into an account for the baby

thanks in advance from us both! xx

 

[expecting09]

Is she getting JSA atm? She'll be able to claim income support from 29 weeks. When baby is here she should get housing benefit, council tax benefit, child tax credits, child benefit. She can apply for healthy start vouchers now.

She doesn't have to get the CSA involved if they have a private agreement

 

[chels24uk]

I dont think CSA have to get involved anymore. Im not sure if she is entitled to anything other than Job Seekers allowance until baby is born? After baby is born though she can claim Income Support, Child Tax Credits and Child benefit, also housing benefit and council tax benefit. She can get the forms from job centre. I believe that the rules have changed now on child maintenance and it wont get deducted from her benefits now?
Her midwife can give her something to claim healthy start vouchers to

 

[laura1991]

Shell be entitled to job seekers allowence which is £65 a week
when the baby is here she will be get child tax credit which is £65 and child benefit which is £20
she will be able to claim the sure start maternity grant to which is 500 but i think you have to wait till about 29 weeks or round about then
and claim council tax
no she doesnt have to go through csa
i think thats about it