Does anyone agree with me that the HIP grant is all wrong?

[SophiasMummy]

i for one never planned to get pregnant as i was told i couldnt and as soon as i found out i was pregnant i had to give up my job as they dont allow you to work on a horse yard while pregnant. nearly all the money i get now such as job seekers i have to give to my mum as rent so therefore i dont have money for the baby i have to save every penny that i get. so this HIP grant and the surestart one are going to be a massive help for me as all of it will be going towards my baby and giving her as good a start in life as i can give her

Theres no doubt that you need it, and if it was means tested you would still get it thankfully. P.s. I LOVE horses and really miss riding now i am preg. Can't wait to get the little one in Jodphurs I always wanted to work in a horsey job ...

i spent 2 years at college studying horses as it was something i was planning on doing for a long time and even travel abroad for. i love my LO but the hardest thing in the world for me has been giving up riding and my dream job. luckily i have some good friends with horses that i can still compete once ive had LO and my best mate has just got a dartmoor foal that we are bringing on in couple years for my LO for wen she gets older

 

[Claireyh]

i agree it was a waste as it wasnt properly managed, i saw a heavily pregnant girl smoking the other day - now something is not right if she was getting a HIP???

Totally agree with you, that is so so so so so wrong!!!

xxx

 

[misskat29]

I FULLY AGREE - Whilst its being paid i'm not going to turn it down. However, its a Health in Pregnancy Grant which isn't paid until 25wks.

Common sense for the well being of your unborn child tells you, you should be healthy well before 25wks.

If the government where to keep this - it should not be a cash payment......i think fruit and veg vouchers for a supermarket would be much better and would ensure this money is spent correctly.

 

[Saywhat]

I agree with you to a certain extent OP, and I also agree it is a waste of money really - but whilst it's there and it's getting handed out, hell yeh I'm going to claim it it's not fair to say it should be means tested or the rich shouldn't be able to claim it etc... I'm not rich (far from it!!) and me & OH struggle, but we still pay taxes and pay for others to have benefits and help, so why the hell shouldn't we get a lil bit of that back!? I don't feel morally wrong, or plain wrong about it at all!! I agree it shouldn't be spent on something non-pregnancy related, but that would be far too hard to be governed! Vouchers would be a good idea (not food vouchers, IMO it's a bit late at 25wks) but then again I have all the bits I need really and am putting mine towards a 4D scan... it's not a neccesity but I would love one and it's something I wouldn't be able to afford normally, and I doubt that would be classed as something to help me be healthy in pregnancy.[/QUOT

Well when you put it like that, i'm off for a 4D scan too
I suppose my taxes have been saving this up and its a bit like a rebate, if i'm trying to justify it lol.

 

[ttc_lolly]

You should!!! They cost between £100-£200 which no way would me & OH be able to afford after paying our rent, bills, outgoings, and buying baby stuff too... so why not!? Plus I think it will be a lovely memento for baby to look at when she's grown up!

And definately... I am annoyed at the state of this country, so don't mind the cuts etc as I would much prefer these things to happen so my daughter has a better country to live in when she's my age!! But I really don't feel like I get enough back out of what me & OH have to pay in taxes, so wooohooo 4D scan here I come!

 

[ayh78]

I agree most with captainj1 and ttclolly. I've worked very hard to better myself and earn a decent wage - as has my OH. I'm still paying off a student loan, but we have a comfortable life (although we're both still working long hours to pay for it). Between us we've only ever claimed job seekers allowance for a very short period of time (maybe a couple of months each? - we're both 31). We've paid sooo much tax in our working lives I don't feel guilty in the slightest at claiming a tiny proportion of that back. I do understand the OP point of view though - in the financial mess that the country is in, it does seem that it's a waste.
Apologies if that sounds a bit strong, I'm just a bitter public sector worker (teacher) who is slightly sore that I'm having to suffer (pay freezes) for a small number of bankers who made errors... And I usually eat healthily anyway - fridge stocked full of veggies.

 

[going_crazy]

Ok, so I'm now going to let everyone jump on me, but I don't care.... I've sat and read many of these posts without commenting until now. My story is a bit long winded so it's in a spoiler so you don't have to read it - but please don't attack me unless you have read it!!

Spoiler

Firstly, a little about my situation:
My OH has worked (damn hard) for the last 15 years. I worked also between leaving college and having my 1st DD in 2001. My first DD wasn't planned as such - my oh was told he would never have children naturally (look at my avatar) and then I found myself pregnant. We hadn't saved or budgeted for having a baby and it did come as a bit of a shock at first.
Because OH was earning £21,000 (ish) and I was also earning part time money (can't remember how much) we were NOT entitled to any benefits, or the SSMG. The HIP grant did not even exist back then. We had got ourselves into a bit of trouble with debts (nothing major) which was our own doing and back then we both were smokers. This meant we had to be sensible and use what money we did have to provide for our baby. We mostly bought 2nd hand things (except cot mattress and car seat) and as the weeks ticked by in pregnancy, we stocked up on formula milk, nappies, washing powder and other expensive items. At no time did we sit back and think "Maybe the government should be paying something towards the cost of my child".

Anyway, we had DD1 and managed - we both had cut back on smoking (really wish we had given up back then though) and also took out other luxuries ie walikng more instead of using the car, limiting 'going out' etc (I'm sure you get the drift!)

After DD1 I went on the pill, knowing that having another child would not only be impractical (living in a very small one bed flat), but it would be very costly. Well, 6 months later I found out that the pill was ineffective for me (hence DD2!).
We did the same - we bought bits and pieces along the way, used most of DD1's things etc and we really struggled, but managed. Again, I did not ever think "oh, it'll be ok, I've got £190 coming to me from the government, I'll use that for......"

After DD2, we moved to a 2 bed place and I was put on a different pill which clearly wasn't effective for me again (hence DD3!) and AGAIN, we budgeted and bought bits along the way! (this was 2004 and the HIP grant wasn't around) Not once have I recieved a "handout" from the government except child benefit.

Fast forward 6 years and in Feb this year I fall pregnant again (planned - ish!) but not too bad for us..... Hubby was earning almost £31,000 and we had cleared most debts and life was going good! Although we had previously got rid of all our baby things, we were happy to start looking around for bits and pieces (ebay) and buy as we go along.

April this year, hubby was unfairly dismissed from work with no pay (we are currently going to tribunal, but it takes forever!). This meant we had NO income and had to go onto benefits to provide for ourselves and our DD's. Although I do not like being on benefits (and hopefully won't be for too much longer), someone pointed out to me that my OH has paid heavily into the system, and because he lost his job unfairly we shouldn't feel bad about claiming for the time being.

Now, this means at present, I am entitled to the SSMG and obviously the HIPG. I shall be claiming the SSMG and spending it all on baby things (which is what it is there for).

What do I do about the HIP? Well, I shall claim it and spend it on baby things, BUT in the same breath I am very happy it is being scrapped. I managed through my first 3 pregnancies without it and don't see that the government should be "expected" to give out money that really is pointless. Why am I claiming it - because right now we are struggling through no fault of our own and me not claiming it is not going to have an affect on the economy! If I didn't claim it then I would have to find another way of managing.

I would much rather this country sorts itself out than me recieve £190. The government and other tax payers should not be giving me anything just for falling pregnant/having a baby, and the child benefit is a nice little extra!!

I am in complete agreement with the budget. The HIP is a waste of money and completely unnecessary.

xxxxxxx

 

[summer rain]

Hi

it would have been better had it been given as vouchers that could only be spent in a supermarket on food, drinks or vitamins and given at an earlier stage as well. Although I'm going to probably spend it on well fitting good quality bras; I wouldn't have minded if they had restricted it to fresh or good quality healthy foods. I like to cook a lot from scratch but decent quality food can be expensive...I'd use it to get some really pukka cuts of meat; yum yum!

Soph x

 

[Saywhat]

You should!!! They cost between £100-£200 which no way would me & OH be able to afford after paying our rent, bills, outgoings, and buying baby stuff too... so why not!? Plus I think it will be a lovely memento for baby to look at when she's grown up!

And definately... I am annoyed at the state of this country, so don't mind the cuts etc as I would much prefer these things to happen so my daughter has a better country to live in when she's my age!! But I really don't feel like I get enough back out of what me & OH have to pay in taxes, so wooohooo 4D scan here I come!

Damn you woman i'm googling 4d scans now!
What was my point again?????

 

[Conkers]

When I had my ds and dd this grant wasn't around so we managed without - although we was in a much better financial situation then. This time round the grant will come in very handy and will be spent on a crib, clothes and a few other little bits I need to get.
I'm a bit on the fence about it all really - it's handy for lots of people but then again I don't think its such a bad thing scrapping it.

 

[Saywhat]

Hi

it would have been better had it been given as vouchers that could only be spent in a supermarket on food, drinks or vitamins and given at an earlier stage as well. Although I'm going to probably spend it on well fitting good quality bras; I wouldn't have minded if they had restricted it to fresh or good quality healthy foods. I like to cook a lot from scratch but decent quality food can be expensive...I'd use it to get some really pukka cuts of meat; yum yum!

Soph x

Something i also desperately NEED They are always way down on the list. Thank god my boobs haven't exploded too much yet. x

 

[ayh78]

Ok, so I'm now going to let everyone jump on me, but I don't care.... I've sat and read many of these posts without commenting until now. My story is a bit long winded so it's in a spoiler so you don't have to read it - but please don't attack me unless you have read it!!

What do I do about the HIP? Well, I shall claim it and spend it on baby things, BUT in the same breath I am very happy it is being scrapped. I managed through my first 3 pregnancies without it and don't see that the government should be "expected" to give out money that really is pointless. Why am I claiming it - because right now we are struggling through no fault of our own and me not claiming it is not going to have an affect on the economy! If I didn't claim it then I would have to find another way of managing.

I would much rather this country sorts itself out than me recieve £190. The government and other tax payers should not be giving me anything just for falling pregnant/having a baby, and the child benefit is a nice little extra!!

I am in complete agreement with the budget. The HIP is a waste of money and completely unnecessary.

xxxxxxx

Spot on. I hope your hubby wins his tribunal.

 

[summer rain]

I was a 40H pre pregnancy and probably way bigger than that now so it really has to be priority for me; I'm currently going braless in the house which is not a good look and I don't want to end up looking like an orang-utan )

 

[marie73]

I certainly won't use it for a night out or shoes etc. but it's still nice to have. I pay a fortune in tax and have never claimed any benefits so no I don't feel guilty claiming or receiving it. We've paid for 2 scans during this pregnancy - one non-essential at 8 weeks but the other a nuchal scan so we've spent more than that anyway. And no we wouldn't miss it if it wasn't there but it is so I'll claim and use it for baby.

 

[Ju_bubbs]

I havn't read the thread, but just wanted to jump in with my 2pence worth!

Yes, I agree with OP. I'm glad it's being scrapped, I think even making it means tested would still be stupid, since the people who do need financial help can apply for the sure start grant (well, for a short time longer lol)

OH has left me pregnant, with 3 children, so I'm now on benefits since no one is going to employ me with this bump, knowing I'll be off on maternity leave soon! So, no.. I have nothing against people on benefits who do genuinely need the help, but like I said there was already a grant available for those on low incomes!

 

[ttc_lolly]

QUOTE]

Damn you woman i'm googling 4d scans now!
What was my point again?????

u know it makes sense

I was a 40H pre pregnancy and probably way bigger than that now so it really has to be priority for me; I'm currently going braless in the house which is not a good look and I don't want to end up looking like an orang-utan )

Yikes, Soph u poor thing!!! I feel as if I should give u my HIP too the amount ur maternity bras are going to cost!!!

 

[Saywhat]

Ok, so I'm now going to let everyone jump on me, but I don't care.... I've sat and read many of these posts without commenting until now. My story is a bit long winded so it's in a spoiler so you don't have to read it - but please don't attack me unless you have read it!!

What do I do about the HIP? Well, I shall claim it and spend it on baby things, BUT in the same breath I am very happy it is being scrapped. I managed through my first 3 pregnancies without it and don't see that the government should be "expected" to give out money that really is pointless. Why am I claiming it - because right now we are struggling through no fault of our own and me not claiming it is not going to have an affect on the economy! If I didn't claim it then I would have to find another way of managing.

I would much rather this country sorts itself out than me recieve £190. The government and other tax payers should not be giving me anything just for falling pregnant/having a baby, and the child benefit is a nice little extra!!

I am in complete agreement with the budget. The HIP is a waste of money and completely unnecessary.

xxxxxxx

Spot on. I hope your hubby wins his tribunal.

Full support from me... hope your both well after a hard time xx

 

[Saywhat]

QUOTE]

Damn you woman i'm googling 4d scans now!
What was my point again?????

u know it makes sense

I was a 40H pre pregnancy and probably way bigger than that now so it really has to be priority for me; I'm currently going braless in the house which is not a good look and I don't want to end up looking like an orang-utan )

Yikes, Soph u poor thing!!! I feel as if I should give u my HIP too the amount ur maternity bras are going to cost!!!

oh my... picturing an orangutan!!!!

Lol been thinking of regardless of whether i spend my wages or the HIP on a scan i really think its a beautiful keepsake to show the little one when it grows up. And i LOVE looking at other peoples scan pics.... I will look out for yours you bad influence!!

P.s. the above comment killed me

 

[summer rain]

suprisingly they are not in bad shape considering I've had three kids and am expecting my fourth; I've seen those 'Oh my god I have the worlds biggest boobs!' docs they used to show on BBC3 and there were 16/17 years old with droopier than mine but going braless is deffo not a good idea so I'm going to get some very soon I think can't wait until the HiP comes through....

 

[Mrs Liamxxs]

i can see where ur coming from! but to me its guna be very handy, im having my first child and i have nothing at all. So mine will be goin on steriliser and bottles n other things for my little man. Yh maybe ppl do see that as a waste bit i dont know how id be able to manage without it! And its alright ppl sayin that if u cant afford a chikd then dont have them but we all know it doesnt work like that! Maybe some ppl wont agree with me , ppls situations are different and mine wont be goin to waste. Maybe its not goin on fruit n veg, but its not goin on a night out either.

an if ppl think its that much of a waste then why send off for it??

Sorry my opinion, sum ppl do need it

i have to agree with you xx