Can anyone please advise??

[BabyHaines]

Morning all

I wonder if anyone could help advise, as our circumstances have changed rather rapidly and I am panicking!!
Right, I hope this is the info. needed:
I am 32+ weeks pregnant and am due to start maternity leave Friday (33wks). I am entitled to statutory maternity pay.
Hubby has always worked, but is a builder and things have been tough lately.
He found out yesterday, that his new contract (he was due to start Monday) has been cancelled
He has NO work whatsoever :'(
He has not worked properly since 2 weeks before Christmas and we are broke. This month will be my last month of 'normal pay' at work, but then I'll be down to SMP.
Now, we rent a house £580 per month, council tax £140 per month, I have a car on hp (I am trying to get rid, as got it when we could afford it!) £207 per month, our gas is about £80 per month in winter, £30 per month in summer, £45 elec, £20 water etc.
Now, I have looked on the direct.gov website, but it would appear that we are entitled to about £40 per week HB, £10 per week CTB, hubby May get £64.50 JSA.
Does this seem right? Sorry, it's just I've never claimed before and I am panicking, as this isn't enough to keep a roof over our heads, pay the bills and eat?!
The problem with the website is that it didn't take into account the fact he is self employed - ie: the fact that if he earnt say £25-30,000 last year, he had a lot to pay for out of that.
We have no savings as he was 'knocked' last year for £4,000 and that put us on our arses, and now this. We have both always worked so hard and have never claimed and yet in one foul swoop, it looks as though we could end up homeless and I am 8 months pregnant :'(

sorry, just needed to air all that - hubby gets annoyed when I get upset as he feels like a let-down and I have been awake all night worrying and crying.

If you made it to the end of that - thank you xxxx

 

[Vici]

Sorry babe, really can't help with the money side but the citezens advice bureau in leiston are rerally helpful. Come round whenever you want if you need a chat! Got lots of bits here if you are stuck for stuff for when LO is born too hun (we are gonna give it to my sister but shes not due till June so you can have it till then xxx

 

[BabyHaines]

Thank you babe
are you still on for Monday @ mine? God knows I could do with the cheer up!!
It's so odd, as we have always been so independent and now I feel lost. I don't think it helps when hormones are all over the place either
Hope you are well xxxx

 

[Vici]

Yep, sure am!! Will bring cake We're pretty stuck too as Shaun only has work till end of Jan then nothing

 

[BabyHaines]

Isn't it scary....But, as me and Danny have both said, as long as we are healthy, the rest we can work out.

Ooooh, cake sounds good!! I'll txt you about times (prob midday ish, as I'll do some nibbles) xxxx

 

[Vici]

Yep, thats what we said, everyone else seems to get by so we just deal with what is thrown at us xxx

 

[xLaurax]

Oh no sweetie, so sorry to see this! I'm not gonna go through our personals on the forum but i'll try and help on monday if thats any good? We had to change alot for me to be a stay at home mum so should be able to help you esp with household bills etc... Just a thought too, when i had my clio on hp if your half way through the agreement there should be a clause where you can just hand the car back, no questions asked... We did this with mine 18 months ago as had no need for such a new car. If you need anything just send me a text sweetie, and on monday let me know if there is anything baby wise you need as i've bought near enough all new stuff for this baby! Xxx

 

[BabyHaines]

Thank you sooooo much!!
I just feel so confused, but would be great to get some advice
I would still love to buy your spare changing bag, but just don't know when I can?!
Oh well, am looking forward to Monday xxxx

 

[xLaurax]

Don't worry about that for now sweetie, lets see if we can get your money situation under control for now, theres always another week... I've got all the job centre numbers for each department here too as i got given them when sorting my maternity pay this time round and the sure start grant Xxx

 

[MrsRH]

It's a tricky situation as your husband is self employed.. you really need some expert employment advice so I would make an appointment face to face with the job centre or citizens advice.
He would have to declare him self unemployed to claim any benefits
good luck hun
xxx

 

[BabyHaines]

Thank you. I'm going to try and get an appointment ASAP xxxx

 

[Dream.A.Dream]

Sounds like that would be about right I think. Don't forget child benefit and tax credits when baby arrives too xx