I'm starting to get a little worried

[K1nS]

What sort of help do you get when your preg or have a new baby if you don't work? I have been out of work for a few months now, with moving so far its made it hard to get a job as I am still finding out whats what in my area

 

[Tasha]

Firstly it is hard to find work at the minute.

The type of help completely depends on if your single, or living with your partner? If your living with them what there wages are etc.

Have you looked at www.entitledto.com ? Have a look, write it on your circumstances as they are now but with a baby iykwim?

 

[Elhaym]

^ entitled to is a good site.

Also, check this directgov page for an overview of the benefits, tax credits and extra grants you may be able to get:

https://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyT...pport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/index.htm

as tasha says though it depends on if you are single or with a partner, and if you have another wage coming in or not. If you do, you should still be able to get some tax credits, and of course child benefit.

 

[K1nS]

Well at the mo, both me and my partner are not working Is there anything you can get while preg to help with costs?

 

[Elhaym]

There's the Sure Start grant (can claim from 29 weeks pg) and the Health in Pregnancy Grant (from 25 weeks pg). The Sure start is £500 and the HIP is £190. Anyone can get the HIP grant but you need to be claiming jobseekers or income support for the sure start grant.

I think they are the only pre-birth ones, the rest (child benefit, child tax credit etc) won't kick in until baby is born.

 

[Marleysgirl]

You say you've been out of work for a few months - you may still be eligible for Maternity Allowance, it depends on how much you worked in the year prior - something to do with the 66wk period prior to the 11wk date. MA is about £20/week higher than joint JSA.

For example, I've been out of work since Feb, but I'm still going onto full MA because I was working full-time last year.

I know the feeling of neither of you working - I moved to be with my OH in February, and he was laid off in May. So we're juggling a joint JSA claim, HB, CTB, switching to MA, the question of whether its worth him still signing for JSA given that I get MA, etc etc etc! I think I've got the system sussed now, so if you want to chat by private message, drop me a line!

 

[Tegans Mama]

There's the Sure Start grant (can claim from 29 weeks pg) and the Health in Pregnancy Grant (from 25 weeks pg). The Sure start is £500 and the HIP is £190. Anyone can get the HIP grant but you need to be claiming jobseekers or income support for the sure start grant.

I think they are the only pre-birth ones, the rest (child benefit, child tax credit etc) won't kick in until baby is born.

Regarding the Sure Start grant - I wasn't claiming either Jobseekers or Income support and I got the mat grant. If you wait until after the baby is born and you're on any type of low income you will still get it.

 

[K1nS]

Thankyou both of you, knowing all this has made everything seem a little less daunting