Clueless on Benefits - Help!!

[bigbloomerz]

Right I went to Jobcentre yesterday to sign on for Jobseekers Allowance, I have to wait upto 3 weeks to hear if its been accepted or not, yet still have to go sign on every friday in the meantime.

They told me that I would still have to apply for jobs and go for interviews up until the day I have the baby....

My Husband works full time so I dont think we would be entitled to Income Support or anything else.

Can anyone help with what happens when baby is born? do i have to keep going and signing on? Also with being on jobseekers what other help am i entitled to?

Really Confused!! Dont want to claim it just for the sake of £40 a week if it wont help with anything else in the long run? xx

 

[bigbloomerz]

Anyone? Any help/advice is appreciated! Is anyone in here on this benefit and know what happens? xx

 

[Kimboowee]

I think It might be slighty different as I wasn't living with my partner at the time...

I signed on when I was 12 weeks pregnant and was told I had to stay on jobseekers until 27 weeks then go onto Income Support. I moved in with my OH when Josh was born, stopped income support due to having a partner, but until then I could claim the £500 grant. When he was born we got working tax credits and child tax credits.

 

[bigbloomerz]

Thanks hun, I asked loads at the jobcentre yesterday but didnt get told anything just got told to "wait and see if claim goes through"
Bloomin useless.

I dont want to claim income support but just wondered if being on jobseekers would mean i was entitled to anything else? xx

 

[Kimboowee]

If your renting you could maybe get help with council tax or rent? I lived with my mum whilst I was on jobseekers so Im not sure

 

[bloodbinds]

You will HAVE to switch from job seekers to income support once you're 11 weeks away from your due date. If you are claiming income support then you will be entitled to claim for the £500 sure start maternity grant. Depending on how much your OH earns you may be entitled to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit.
Also you will be entitled to Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit once baby is here.

Try filling out your info on entitledto.com and see what it comes up with. It will give you a rough guide line.