Full time student and Sure start Maternity Grant

[mazy]

Hiya

I'm a full time student at uni so don't claim any benefits. My only source of income is student loan and grant as I don't work. My baby is due in April.

I have looked on the government website and seen that people who are claiming some sort of benefit can claim the sure start mat grant of £500, but nothing is said about students etc? I know you can claim after 3 months once baby is born, but once I fin uni It will be cutting it fine

Does anybody know if full time student mum's to be can claim before the baby is born or have any experience with this? Also can students who have become parents claim income support or do they have to wait till after term time? if thats the case I'm really gonna struggle!

Thanks in advance for any answers

Mazy

 

[MummyJo]

Hi hun,
Obviously it depends on your individual circumstances but in most cases after your LO is born you'll be eligible for Child Tax Credits. They don't take student loans into account (or many parts of the loan and grant anyway) when working out your income so they'll end up paying you the higher rate making you eligible for the Sure Start Grant.

Once LO is born by law you'll need more money to live on so (depending on other things such as who you live with and where) you could be entitled to Income Support or Housing Benefit then as well.

Also! If you're still at Uni when LO is born they'll need to update your payments as you should be allocated parent learner allowance/grant. It might be worth speaking to them early (before your April payment.)

Hth xxx

 

[mazy]

Thanks alot MummyJo for your reply. Really helpful. At least I know now what I could get as I searched everywhere and found nothing! Thanks too for saying about the housing benefit as I did not know. x

 

[purplerat]

I am in the same position as you but due in a few weeks. Trying to work out if I can apply for the surestart grant? I know I can apply for tax credits and parents learning allowance but not sure if I can get the Surestart?

 

[mazy]

I'm still not sure but decided im going to apply anyway for the grant and see what the outcome is and if they decide no, then apply again within the 3 months after baby is born. I have heard of people recieving the grant who only work a few hours and still don't claim benefits so theres hope for us students!