Can any unemployed girls in the uk help me with this..

[xAmiixLouisex]

I hope this post doesn't make me sound like a bum. I've always worked until recently and now, I don't feel there is much hope in finding a job. Because lets face it, if a company could employ a pregnant woman that they know they have to pay maternity leave for, or someone who wasn't pregnant. They'd chose the person they didn't have to fork out on maternity leave for.

Anyway, I'd like to go to college, I've considered becoming a nurse for a while, and I'd like to get my first year out of the way. So once baby's old enough, I can carry on studying and I'm a year ahead. But I have no idea about benefits? I know jobseekers would stop, because I'm not seeking work. But, surely you have to get something. A friend told me you just change over to income support early (instead of on your 29th week of pregnancy). But, I'm not entirely sure on this. I start college Monday and would prefer to know before I start, hoping someone could help.

 

[CelticStar]

I did a quick google for you and found this on the government website - clicky

HTH!

 

[bumpbear]

You have to claim job seekers right up until the baby is born and after that switch to income support. They will expect you to keep seeking work even though it's unlikely that you will be offered anything.

 

[yumosh]

Hi

You will get your education paid for just ask Bursary at the place you'll study. If they have cut funding, we are in a deep recession, you usually get LearnDirect courses free. The statuary maternity pay is only £124 per week.

Good luck.

 

[abbie1992]

this is what i was entitled to with one child, child tax credit child benefit and income suport (comes to roughly £120pw) i also get some of my rent paid which is (110pw) and in full time education you get care to learn (free child care) hope this helps xx

 

[Jaysmummy]

Hi hun, I'm pretty much in the same situation as you and was also going to go to college this year. I was just wondering how your goin to do it with baby being due around april time as this is the reason thats stopping me from doing it as I wouldn't be able to complete the course? Sorry to hijack the thread, just wondered if you could help

xx

 

[loverguts]

As long as you're studying only part time you should be able to claim JSA and then switch to IS later on (it was 29 weeks with my last pregnancy so im guessing its still somewhere around there). They will still expect you to do the job search thing but will probably lay off you because no matter what they say, the chances of someone taking on a pregnant woman once she's showing is very slim! Hehe.
If its full time i hate to say it but you probably won't be entitled to benefits as such (although possibly housing benefit??) but you should be able to get student loans? A friend of mine was pregnant and at uni and had to live off her student loans till she had baby and then got tax credits, child benefit etc etc.
I think you should make an appointment to speak to someone about what you're entitled to just to make sure you'll be ok xx

 

[xAmiixLouisex]

Hi hun, I'm pretty much in the same situation as you and was also going to go to college this year. I was just wondering how your goin to do it with baby being due around april time as this is the reason thats stopping me from doing it as I wouldn't be able to complete the course? Sorry to hijack the thread, just wondered if you could help
xx

I was hoping I could be fast tracked a little. Or maybe just go back for exams? I done an apprenticeship before and I wanted to leave the job, so my tutor just fast tracked me. So fingers crossed they can do that xx

As long as you're studying only part time you should be able to claim JSA and then switch to IS later on (it was 29 weeks with my last pregnancy so im guessing its still somewhere around there). They will still expect you to do the job search thing but will probably lay off you because no matter what they say, the chances of someone taking on a pregnant woman once she's showing is very slim! Hehe. If its full time i hate to say it but you probably won't be entitled to benefits as such (although possibly housing benefit??) but you should be able to get student loans? A friend of mine was pregnant and at uni and had to live off her student loans till she had baby and then got tax credits, child benefit etc etc. I think you should make an appointment to speak to someone about what you're entitled to just to make sure you'll be ok xx

I think you can only get student loans if you're in uni. But I'm gonna do my first day tomoz, then ring the jobcentre straight after to find out. Then if I get nothing, I wont go back . If I do, carry on going. Hopefully get something, As I can't see how they would leave a pregnant woman with nothing to live on bad enough that they'd do it to anyone nevermind just a pregnant woman. xx

 

[crazylilth1ng]

The company itself doesn't actually pay the maternity leave, they just work it out... but I know what you mean, not many companies are really going to employ someone they obviously need like NOW knowing that they will be taking time off in the near future...

Maybe you could get Maternity allowance depending on when u last worked, or income support...

 

[Wishing_well]

I'm in exactly the same position. I've been out of work since may and have been searching and applying like mad! I've had lots of interviews but no luck yet.. and I don't see that improving once my bump starts showing.
I know you don't legally have to tell anyone until around 24 weeks but I wouldn't feel right accepting a job and then leaving a couple of months later.... let alone how the company would feel!