NOT getting Maternity Grant PANIC

[amethystkitty]

Hmm, this is a tricky one.
Knowing what benefits you are entitled too & knowing where to look...
My partner & I went to the Job centre to see what benefits we were entitled too. And, as we are both working, and have a mortgage, we are not entitled to anything other than 'working tax credit' when LO is here.
I thought the maternity grant was stopped in April?? or am I confusing that with something else??!!
Do you think we should head over to the local Citizen's Advice centre to clarify what we are entitled to? Or, was the Job centre right in what they told us?
Anyone clued up on this for working parents?!?
Any help or advice would be gratefully accepted x

 

[vickles]

The rules changed in April. You basically only get it if you are receiving JSA (income-based only), max CTC (above the family element) and/or WTC but only where disability element is paid. The link to the HmRC sure start grant page is below. We can't rely on anything from this government and it's only going to get worse before getting better with the problems in the Eurozone right now.

https://m.direct.gov.uk/syndication...10018854&utn=9f464f5e4684415c8563201110101921

It's always worth reapplying after the baby's here but it's very hard to get. If you're working it's very unlikely as most benefits have been reduced for those of us who have been working hard all our lives. I understand everyone has their own situation, and I'm not making any judgments at anyone here but when you see the girls on my local estate who get pregnant to get higher on the housing list and who sit around in the pub til all hours an always seem to have enough money to buy themselves the latest fashions and phones, and then there's me who has worked hard all my life, paid my taxes and NI and yet I struggle to cover the necessities each month it makes me wonder why I bother. There's definately an imbalance somewhere... I thought the gov were cutting benefits for people who don't want to work but the only evidence I've seen so far is hard working families getting shafted.

Sorry, it just really gets my goat.

 

[PinkGlitter87]

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!

Totally agree, theres very little i qualify for, seems the worst situation to be in is married, both working full time and living together!!

I agree with prev posters hun, maybe try again when baby is born x x x

 

[beckiieboo]

so what are the criterias you have o meet to get this> i get child tax credit and thats it.. i am a full time uni student so don't get an income, only student loans.. i thought the government stopped all this anyway obv not x

 

[londonbump2]

Like others have said, although you don't qualify now you likely will once baby is born and you're on child tax credit.

I've held off applying for maternity allowance until after it's through for that reason!

And while trying not to get into the benefits arguement, having a child shouldn't just come down to income. I knew I would lose my job as I was self employed and have seen their behaviour before, I also knew that he wouldn't stick around and while these factors were important it isn't the be all and end all.

 

[Blah11]

Why do some of you expect benefits when you're both working and have an income?! Surely you don't NEED anymore than a little topup on what you already earn? I get £315 out of my £550 nursery bill and thats it. I dont really expect more as it was my choice to have kids. Its tough but hey ho, so is life.

 

[Blah11]

so what are the criterias you have o meet to get this> i get child tax credit and thats it.. i am a full time uni student so don't get an income, only student loans.. i thought the government stopped all this anyway obv not x

You wont qualify anyway as you are on your 2nd child.

 

[puddycats]

i cant apply for it because me and bf both work but soon as my money goes on to maternity money or i have my baby i can claim it, its pathetic really, every1 should be able to get it, job or no job x

 

[Blah11]

I think expecting £500 for getting pregnant is ridiculous :\ It was bad enough when everyone got £190 'health in pregnancy' grants and spending it on a new pram, clearing a credit card or other non health in pregnancy related stuff.

 

[hulahoop09]

I am glad they changed the rules of it cause me and hubby have worked all our working lives and are really gonna.struggle but we didnt expect it yet my cousin hasnt worked a day in her life and has 3 kids, every time one went to full time school she gets pregnant and she got 500 per child when she didnt need it as was scamming system and claiming as single parent. If people need it then its a great help but there are those who abused it. Xx

 

[babydustcass]

I always say never rely on money you dont have in your own hand/bank, you just cannot entrust everything or the future on money you 'might' get. The word of your MW is not anything binding or set in stone. Really you have had 34 weeks to go about saving for your baby and there is still time left now. Not qualifying is something that should have been considered long before now and then there would be no panic.

Babies do not have to cost the earth, we have been really careful to save what little extra money we have left over after both working and seeing our DS is sorted. In doing so, we managed to buy really good bargains when we came across them and jump on deals along the way and save a lot of money generally by spreading the costs.

 

[Celesse]

Danni, I take it this is your first baby. If you get Working Tax Credits now, then your Child Tax Credits will be high enough to claim the SSMG when baby arrives. You will need to register baby, then claim Child Benefit, then up date your Tax Credit claim to include Child Tax Credit. You will then meet the criteria for the SSMG.
This is what I did with DD. I was getting WTC, couldn't claim when I was pregnant but was able to claim when baby arrived.

 

[AP]

I have to agree with some of the posters, in this government no-one should ever rely on benefits. Sure it'd be nice to have grants for everyone but in reality like Blah11 said, we choose to have kids.

Do check out gumtree. Don't always expect 2nd hand stuff, people often sell buggies for knock down prices just to get them out the house.

Try not to panic, babies don't need a heck of a lot.

 

[puddycats]

i dont think it the fact people expect benifits when both parents are working etc.. but still why shouldnt they, me ive been working since i was 16 so has my bf and we can not claim a thing, tho people round me, infact down the road live in a private rented house, as do i, they dont pay rent, are expecting there first child, which they can claim token for i.e the milk, veg and vitimins token and the guy is always sat on the front smoking as is his preg gf (what they do is none of my busness just showing an example). i live in private rented (couldnt get council as they told me and have told me bro n his gf they are for families only) and the waiting list is huge so fair dues, i pay my rent, council tax, have 2 cats and a dog (my choice) and yes i have everything for my baby and we do struggle, but i make sure every last bill of mine is payed before i even go for a coffee with friends, so after ive had my baby, im going to put forward for the grant as i know then i qualify, and yes some people may say why, but why should people who dont work be able to claim everything, and yes i know in this day and age its very hard to get a job as theres not many out there, this isnt about that and if u cant find a job then fair enough. xxxx

IF I COME ACROSS AS BEING BITCHY IM REALLY NOT TRYING TO BE AT ALL xx

 

[rosie5637]

i had to claim maternity allowance 6yrs ago and could only get ssmg once on income support. my job finished a few weeks before birth so i had to claim maternity allowance. after paying my rent and bills i had about £15 left each week to feed myself and buy any baby bits i needed. even on this low income i was not entitled, i had to wait til i got IS, 1wk before the deadline for putting in a claim for ssmg.

if you can now claim whilst getting ctc or wtc then the government are dishing out more money to people not less

 

[highhopes19]

babies really dont need a great deal...... and places like ebay do some great stuff, so thats worth a look at .

and again as another poster said, save a little each week and get the cot after lo is born

is it it true about what somone said about the priminsters baby sleeping in a drawer? i never knew that .

xxx

 

[Blah11]

i dont think it the fact people expect benifits when both parents are working etc.. but still why shouldnt they, me ive been working since i was 16 so has my bf and we can not claim a thing, tho people round me, infact down the road live in a private rented house, as do i, they dont pay rent, are expecting there first child, which they can claim token for i.e the milk, veg and vitimins token and the guy is always sat on the front smoking as is his preg gf (what they do is none of my busness just showing an example). i live in private rented (couldnt get council as they told me and have told me bro n his gf they are for families only) and the waiting list is huge so fair dues, i pay my rent, council tax, have 2 cats and a dog (my choice) and yes i have everything for my baby and we do struggle, but i make sure every last bill of mine is payed before i even go for a coffee with friends, so after ive had my baby, im going to put forward for the grant as i know then i qualify, and yes some people may say why, but why should people who dont work be able to claim everything, and yes i know in this day and age its very hard to get a job as theres not many out there, this isnt about that and if u cant find a job then fair enough. xxxx

IF I COME ACROSS AS BEING BITCHY IM REALLY NOT TRYING TO BE AT ALL xx

if you're entitled then yes, you def should claim away but i hate when people whinge about not qualifying for benefits

 

[highhopes19]

i dont think it the fact people expect benifits when both parents are working etc.. but still why shouldnt they, me ive been working since i was 16 so has my bf and we can not claim a thing, tho people round me, infact down the road live in a private rented house, as do i, they dont pay rent, are expecting there first child, which they can claim token for i.e the milk, veg and vitimins token and the guy is always sat on the front smoking as is his preg gf (what they do is none of my busness just showing an example). i live in private rented (couldnt get council as they told me and have told me bro n his gf they are for families only) and the waiting list is huge so fair dues, i pay my rent, council tax, have 2 cats and a dog (my choice) and yes i have everything for my baby and we do struggle, but i make sure every last bill of mine is payed before i even go for a coffee with friends, so after ive had my baby, im going to put forward for the grant as i know then i qualify, and yes some people may say why, but why should people who dont work be able to claim everything, and yes i know in this day and age its very hard to get a job as theres not many out there, this isnt about that and if u cant find a job then fair enough. xxxx

IF I COME ACROSS AS BEING BITCHY IM REALLY NOT TRYING TO BE AT ALL xx

me and OH both work, not entitled to a thing....but also we may be entitled to the grant when shes here, so were going to apply for it also hun and i dont see why we shouldnt apply either . if anyone was to tell me that they are entitled to somthing and know they'll get it but wont apply as they dont think its right because they work, so are turning it down.... then i dont believe that for a second .

xxx

 

[hellywelly]

i dont think it the fact people expect benifits when both parents are working etc.. but still why shouldnt they, me ive been working since i was 16 so has my bf and we can not claim a thing, tho people round me, infact down the road live in a private rented house, as do i, they dont pay rent, are expecting there first child, which they can claim token for i.e the milk, veg and vitimins token and the guy is always sat on the front smoking as is his preg gf (what they do is none of my busness just showing an example). i live in private rented (couldnt get council as they told me and have told me bro n his gf they are for families only) and the waiting list is huge so fair dues, i pay my rent, council tax, have 2 cats and a dog (my choice) and yes i have everything for my baby and we do struggle, but i make sure every last bill of mine is payed before i even go for a coffee with friends, so after ive had my baby, im going to put forward for the grant as i know then i qualify, and yes some people may say why, but why should people who dont work be able to claim everything, and yes i know in this day and age its very hard to get a job as theres not many out there, this isnt about that and if u cant find a job then fair enough. xxxx

IF I COME ACROSS AS BEING BITCHY IM REALLY NOT TRYING TO BE AT ALL xx

Totally agree, when I drive home from work - I think to myself why is everyones cars at home down my road - then I remember - its because I am the only dumb person that works - I can't wait to move (thats my choice) - the 500 quid should be for everyone or no one regardless ..... they say on average people spend 2k on baby stuff before bubba gets here - we have done well over that (our choice) but we still have to get everything just like anyone else. And to take it further hubby owns his own business - does he get any tax relief for paternity leave - nope - he is not entitled to a single penny. I should sue the government for discrimination for working ....

 

[highhopes19]

i dont think it the fact people expect benifits when both parents are working etc.. but still why shouldnt they, me ive been working since i was 16 so has my bf and we can not claim a thing, tho people round me, infact down the road live in a private rented house, as do i, they dont pay rent, are expecting there first child, which they can claim token for i.e the milk, veg and vitimins token and the guy is always sat on the front smoking as is his preg gf (what they do is none of my busness just showing an example). i live in private rented (couldnt get council as they told me and have told me bro n his gf they are for families only) and the waiting list is huge so fair dues, i pay my rent, council tax, have 2 cats and a dog (my choice) and yes i have everything for my baby and we do struggle, but i make sure every last bill of mine is payed before i even go for a coffee with friends, so after ive had my baby, im going to put forward for the grant as i know then i qualify, and yes some people may say why, but why should people who dont work be able to claim everything, and yes i know in this day and age its very hard to get a job as theres not many out there, this isnt about that and if u cant find a job then fair enough. xxxx

IF I COME ACROSS AS BEING BITCHY IM REALLY NOT TRYING TO BE AT ALL xx

if you're entitled then yes, you def should claim away but i hate when people whinge about not qualifying for benefits

must be frustrating and worrying for them though .