Can Anyone Help? Please?

[SugarKisses]

Is there anyone that is expecting and not working?
I have been working for 14 weeks (it was a temp xmas job) and Ive just been told today that I am not being kept on. I worked my ass off there so Id have more chance of being kept on and I actually liked it there...Im going to miss it. But now Im scared about how I will manage for money with a baby on the way?
Im going to try looking for a job so I know Ill get JSA...but tbh who is going to employ a pregnant woman? But even so....£50 is just enough for me to get by...never mind buying things for my little man What will I do once he gets here and I have to stop claiming?

Im sorry, Im just really struggling. I lost my little girl last year so going through a pregnancy after loosing her so late on is hard enough as it is & on top of that the daddy doesnt want me to keep this baby...he has a huge list of cons about it and when he finds out I have no job...its going to make him act even worse....thats if its even possible

Im sorry, I just have no one to talk to. Sorry if this is in the wrong place. x x x

 

[~KACI~]

Aww hunny

I have no real advice but didn't want to read and run, hopefully someone will come along in a min x

 

[Windmills]

How far pregnant are you? Are you still with FOB/a new partner?
You sound like you might well be entitled to Maternity Allowance from 29 weeks onwards- failing that, you'll get Income Support at 29 weeks until the baby is 15 weeks and you won't be expected to go in to sign on xx

 

[Windmills]

Maternity Allowance:

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyT...ort/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018869

Statutory Maternity Pay:
https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyT...ort/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018741

Income Support:
https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyT...tsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018708

 

[SugarKisses]

I am currently 17 weeks pregnant (tomorrow) and have worked from before I knew I was pregnant. Thanks for the links, Ill take a look to see what I am entitled to x x x

 

[Windmills]

Have you worked for 26 weeks in the last 18 months? Not necessarily at the same job, just all together? You'll probably get JSA now, then 39 weeks of MA after 29 weeks I think, give the JobCentre a call xx

 

[sophxx]

theres all so sure start grant 500 pounds health in pregnacey 190 and youd get houseing benifit council tax benifit and child tax credit child benifit as well as income surpport! x

 

[Jkelmum]

You will get JSA until 28 wks or before if u get signed off by mw or gp then u will go onto income support and get child tax credits and child bennifit once your little man will be here.... when u move out u will also get housing bennifit and council tax bennifit x

 

[kit603]

Have you tried going to entitledto.org and having a look what you're entitled to on that website? You could also try putting in your details as though you've just had the baby to see what you'll be entitled to after the birth I did it with my partner last night and discovered we'll be about £300 a month better off if I have a baby and then just work part-time than if I get a full-time job...

 

[SugarKisses]

Thanks hun. Ive tried that website before, it just gets me confused lol. It asks questions about housing etc and I dont live alone, I live with my mum and there is no option for that. Im just going to phone job center tomorrow and get an app to talk to someone, thanks alot though x x x

 

[kit603]

Thanks hun. Ive tried that website before, it just gets me confused lol. It asks questions about housing etc and I dont live alone, I live with my mum and there is no option for that. Im just going to phone job center tomorrow and get an app to talk to someone, thanks alot though x x x

Ahhh I see. Your best bet is really going to be to speak to somebody at Citizen's Advice or the Job Centre to get an accurate idea of what you'll be entitled to. Good luck and let us know how you get on

 

[Lucy&Pard]

Im not a maternity rights lawyer but I would advise you to speak to the Citizens Advice Centre ASAP as they can help you all the way and on a personal level the government websites in my opinion are misleading and generic but the basics are the following:

Maternity rights

Pregnant employees have a number of special rights under the Employment Rights Act 1996 (as amended by the Employment Act 2002) and the Sex Discrimination Act 1975. It is a complex subject that requires a good understanding of employers' policies and the law.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions:

What rights do I have as a pregnant employee?
It is unlawful for your employer to dismiss you if you are pregnant, to single you out for redundancy or to treat you unfairly for reasons connected with your pregnancy or maternity. If this happens to you, you may be able to bring a claim of sex discrimination at an employment tribunal.

There are various entitlements to paid and unpaid leave as a result of pregnancy. Click here to find out the current allowances.

It's sensible to find out about your company's maternity policy as soon as possible as many give more than the basic rights.

What if my employer fails to meet these obligations?
You can complain to an employment tribunal within three months of the date of the alleged infringement of your rights.

When can I go on maternity leave?
You can normally start your leave up to 11 weeks before your baby is due. But you must give at least three weeks' notice unless it is not "reasonably practicable" to do so. If the baby is born before the leave is due to start, it starts automatically on that date. It's advisable to tell your employer (in writing) that you're pregnant as soon as you know so the necessary arrangements can be made.

Can I keep my job?
Yes. You must be allowed to return to your own job unless this is genuinely impossible (such as in a redundancy situation, in which case you should be offered a suitable alternative.)

What if I decide not to return to work?
You must give the employer the specific notice period required by your contract of employment.

What terms and conditions apply during ordinary maternity leave?
During ordinary maternity leave you are entitled to all your usual terms and conditions of employment, except for pay. This means you can receive benefits arising from your contract of employment that you would have received had you continued to work, such as pension and share option contributions.

Ordinary maternity leave also counts as continuous employment for the purposes of assessing seniority, pay rises, pensions and other personal benefits based on length of service.

What is additional maternity leave?
This refers to additional unpaid leave, which takes over at the end of ordinary maternity leave.

Are some there any jobs expectant mothers can't do?
Employers have a duty to assess the risks in the workplace for new and expectant mothers and their babies. Where a risk cannot be removed or controlled, your employer must offer you any suitable work that is available under no less favourable terms and conditions. If no such work is available, your employer must suspend you on full pay for as long as necessary to protect your health and safety.

What is the difference between maternity pay and maternity allowance?
Maternity pay is paid by the employer and maternity allowance is paid by Social Security. For the latest information on the allowance, see the Department for Work and Pensions website. Of course, your employer might provide better pay than SMP as part of its own maternity scheme. If your employer offers more favourable maternity entitlements than those provided by law, you can take advantage of the conditions most beneficial to you.

 

[SugarKisses]

Thanks for that hun but im afraid i dont have an employer anymore so thats not relevant to me x x x

 

[louise85]

Can I just ask how you got on??

I've read somewhere that you can claim income support from 29 weeks till 15 weeks after birth of LO, is this still the case if your partner works does anyone know??

x

 

[SugarKisses]

I rang the job center the other day and they told me I have to claim JSA up untill 11 weeks before my due date and then I will get put onto something else...i think she said income support but I cant remember. x x

 

[louise85]

Thanx hun, are you living with partner? Just wondering if you can still get income support if you are or not??

xx

 

[Tasha]

You will get put on income support Donna (this isnt affected by living with your mum), also you can claim the £190 health in pregnancy grant, and the sure start grant of £500 that will the stuff for little man (but if Adam wants to be involved then he should buy some bits too). When his here you can carry on claiming the income support, and you will get child tax credits.

louise85 no you cant claim income support if you live with your partner.

 

[SugarKisses]

Thanks Tash, thats good to know. Will try my best to look for a job, but I know its going to be useless. At least I only have to go there 5 times & then I can stop

Hope your ok babe x x x