NOT getting Maternity Grant PANIC

[dannibou]

I have just spoken to Job Centre Plus and they have advised me that I dont quialfy for the 500 pound grant?

Midwife told me i would for sure as i am on working tax credits so i have been banking on this money... I am 34 weeks and havent even got a place for baby to sleep as i was waiting on this money...

What the hell am i going to do? We havent got the cash... i am panicing

 

[Cashewnut]

Have they given you a reason why you cant get it? You can always appeal the decision as well x

 

[nicki01]

i didnt qualify for it when pregnant, but applied when i had her and i was given it? Maybe worth a try, they can only say no!

 

[joey300187]

i dont have any advise im afraid but i too have applied but not heard back u dont happen to have a number i can call to enquire do you? i google it and found about 6 numbers all disconnected lol xx

 

[hulahoop09]

I have read that you can only get if your working.tax or child tax credit includes a certain element (disability i think) Do you get other benefits?

 

[hellywelly]

I know people are going to hate me for this - but I think either everyone should get it or no one should get it, it shouldn't be the fact that because I work and earn good money I shouldn't get it - trust me 500 is a lot of money in anyones purse - poor or well off!

 

[highhopes19]

ive heard that sometimes you can get it when LO is born, think you have 3 months after to apply


if i was to apply now and they said no, which they probably will as we dont recieve any benefits, only money i get is my Maternity allowance, could i reapply again when LO is here and we'll be recieving CTC and WTC for her? or do you only get the one chance to apply?

is there a cut off limit of earnings to get this?

xx


xx

 

[highhopes19]

I know people are going to hate me for this - but I think either everyone should get it or no one should get it, it shouldn't be the fact that because I work and earn good money I shouldn't get it - trust me 500 is a lot of money in anyones purse - poor or well off!

i totally get what your saying, i dont qualify for the grant either but i am going to apply for it when LO is here

but the OP was just looking for a bit of advice, as by the sounds of it she does really need this grant and i dont think she or others who do need it should feel bad or be called "poor".

some do really rely on this grant to buy things for their baby as they are not able to buy bits other wise.

 

[charlie1510]

I know people are going to hate me for this - but I think either everyone should get it or no one should get it, it shouldn't be the fact that because I work and earn good money I shouldn't get it - trust me 500 is a lot of money in anyones purse - poor or well off!

Agreed!!

 

[ka_ox]

My midwife previously advised me that if I couldn't get it I should take all the paperwork to citizens advise and speak to them about it as they can make some phonecalls and appeal the decision so you have more chance of getting it, so maybe give that a go?

Failing that, you have 3 months after the birth to claim and I've heard of a few people being declined it while pregnant yet given it after the birth. So that's always worth a shot.

Also, speak to your midwife again about it and the situation?

Good luck, I hopeyou get it x

 

[Maman]

ive never been entitled to it.

Try freecycle, gumtree, netmums nearly new, nct sales, ebay etc for buyign stuff, you have plenty of time left make a list of what you really need first. sleep wise you can get a moses and all the bedding for like 40 quid new, you could babywear till you can afford a pushchair, if relatives ask what to buy, give them honest answeres, even if you say vouchers so you can buy things and join all the parenting clubs AND get yourself a boots advantage card.

 

[xsadiex]

I know people are going to hate me for this - but I think either everyone should get it or no one should get it, it shouldn't be the fact that because I work and earn good money I shouldn't get it - trust me 500 is a lot of money in anyones purse - poor or well off!

I think it's a lot more useful for someone who can't afford a buggy, cot etc. I'd rather those with less got it to be honest. There are many people who can cope without but some desperately need it?

Obviously it would be amazing if everyone could have it, but with a conservative gov that'll never happen.

 

[mummylove]

I have just spoken to Job Centre Plus and they have advised me that I dont quialfy for the 500 pound grant?

Midwife told me i would for sure as i am on working tax credits so i have been banking on this money... I am 34 weeks and havent even got a place for baby to sleep as i was waiting on this money...

What the hell am i going to do? We havent got the cash... i am panicing

We r on working tax credit and av been refused. U shouldnt really bank on anything from benefits

We wasnt bothered that we got refused even tho we r on low income. We choose to av a baby so we should pay for what that baby needs

 

[vhal_x]

I thought it was only if you were unemployed/on a really low wage you could get this? xx

 

[nicnicjayne]

I know people are going to hate me for this - but I think either everyone should get it or no one should get it, it shouldn't be the fact that because I work and earn good money I shouldn't get it - trust me 500 is a lot of money in anyones purse - poor or well off!

Hmmm, not sure about this. Buying all the essentials like cots, bottles/pump etc is very expensive and some people really DO need the money to afford the bare essentials, even second hand. Can you really imagine not even being able to afford a cot? If everybody was given it, others might use it to upgrade to the top brands like Bugaboo and I-Candy rather than out of real need. Do we really want to hand out £500 of our tax-payers money to people who can manage without it? Wouldn't that extra funding be better spent on more midwives?

On the other hand, I would like to see tax breaks for hard-working parents who both work - if only for the first three years before nursery. It is so unfair that you are penalised for having two decent incomes to the point that you end up working full time to barely cover childcare.

 

[shazland]

I'm not working at the moment, and we are not entitled to any benefits at all. Lucklily we've been buying second hand for months now in preparation. We dont even get the pregnancy grant now of £190.00 that every pregnant woman in the UK used to get. They abolished that in January I think and that would have come in Really handy!!!!
I feel for you being in this situation. Have you a list of newborn essentials? You can get amazing things from ebay and Gumtree and NCT sales. Could you get a small loan from one of your parents? There is a website called cheapbargains.co.uk. It shows you all the pick up only items in your area on ebay. We've found loads on there really cheap. I hope that helps!!!

 

[Jasa1911]

Try freecycle, gumtree, netmums nearly new, nct sales, ebay etc for buyign stuff, you have plenty of time left make a list of what you really need first. sleep wise you can get a moses and all the bedding for like 40 quid new, you could babywear till you can afford a pushchair, if relatives ask what to buy, give them honest answeres, even if you say vouchers so you can buy things and join all the parenting clubs AND get yourself a boots advantage card.

I have to agree with this sometimes the NCT sales have amazing stuff and brilliant prices and it's like new.
I haven't had much money as my OH left and I am left with the smallest amount of money each month, but I got my cot & matteress for £104 on eBay brand new. And it's a cot bed- good for growing baby plus it's sturdy and good quality.

Reapply when LO is here but in the meantime definately hunt out some bargains. They are out there, you don't have to spend £££'s in places like mothercare. At a push get yourself a second hand Moses basket, that will last you a few months and then you can save or hopefully have been granted the grant to buy a cot?!

Goo luck xx

 

[hellywelly]

I know people are going to hate me for this - but I think either everyone should get it or no one should get it, it shouldn't be the fact that because I work and earn good money I shouldn't get it - trust me 500 is a lot of money in anyones purse - poor or well off!

i totally get what your saying, i dont qualify for the grant either but i am going to apply for it when LO is here

but the OP was just looking for a bit of advice, as by the sounds of it she does really need this grant and i dont think she or others who do need it should feel bad or be called "poor".

some do really rely on this grant to buy things for their baby as they are not able to buy bits other wise.

Hey, yes I know that she genuinely needs it and was never attacking anyone being poor - but the whole debate about 'why have a baby if you can't afford it will erupt' - I am sorry but I have waited till I am grey in the hair 38 years old to be able to afford my baby so I don't have to rely on handouts - 500 would really help us out as well xx

 

[shelleney]

Ive heard that if you are turned down for the grant whilst pregnant, you can reapply when they baby is here (up to 3 months after), and may be entitled then.
So you could get yourself a Moses basket for £30 now, which will last til the baby is 4 months old, and then buy a cot with the grant if you are entitled to it then.
If not, start putting a bit of money aside each month between now and when the baby is 4 months old, and you should be able to afford a decent cot by then....
Good luck

 

[xxembobxx]

I think your MW is confused as it was easier to get the SureStart Grant until they changed the rules in April. you should tell your MW you were relying on that money so she doesn't put anybody else in the same position.
I know it's easy to say but try not to worry too much about what baby needs. They in fact need very little. A drawer was good enough for the Prime Ministers baby and would suffice if the worst came to the worst.
Hope you sort something out x