Sure start Maternity Grant..sooo p****d off!!

[my1stbump]

Hello

Sorry ladies but I feel the need to SCREAM and thought if I vented my anger I might feel better....

My baby is due in 6weeks time so I thought I might as well apply for the ssmg so that I can get her things etc.

I am currently on maternity and I am receiving working Tax Credit and Child tax credit, I have a child under the age of one and also receive child benefit.

When I claimed for Deacon last year everything was the same apart from the hours that I worked and if anything my earnings where higher 07/08 than they are now... so I was given the grant.

Today I have been told that although Iam receiving everything that I should be and I'm on the correct benefits to recieve it....

It has been REFUSED!!! this is because I earn 50p Less than the entitlement allows, so as I receive £457.50 rather than £458.00 they have refused my claim.

Then he had the cheek to say If you are or will be in receipt of Income Support or Job seekers allowance I am automatically entitled to it. It just seems so unfair.

But I suppose in a way I could be a lot worse off, at least I have a moses basket still and clothes etc so I can save to get the things that she needs..so fingers crossed she stays put!!


Anyone else had theirs refused because of the 50p ??

Sorry Rant over phew...x

 

[doumauk]

I understand your frustration hun, i was lucky because i got it even though I didnt expect too. I was also on ctc and wtc with a child under 1. I only work 16 hours a week though. I just filled the form in and got the money in a week. It seems to me your better off not working these days tbh people around here on benefits get it all.

 

[MummyJo]

I've heard similar stories where people are refused for 5p!
Although I do strongly sympathise with you, I guess they have to have a cut off point somewhere and if this was 'flexable' for those just pennies out of the limit, they'd always be someone saying - "Well I'm only 1/2/5/10p out of that, I should get it to!" - if you see my point? Bloody sucks though.

Either way, the best thing I can advise is that after your baby is born, to re-apply. (Your tax credits will have gone up which may put you on the correct level for it.)
You can apply up to 3 months after the baby is born.

It's not ideal as it means you have the money after LO is here, but it's better than nothing!

 

[my1stbump]

I've heard similar stories where people are refused for 5p!
Although I do strongly sympathise with you, I guess they have to have a cut off point somewhere and if this was 'flexable' for those just pennies out of the limit, they'd always be someone saying - "Well I'm only 1/2/5/10p out of that, I should get it to!" - if you see my point? Bloody sucks though.

Either way, the best thing I can advise is that after your baby is born, to re-apply. (Your tax credits will have gone up which may put you on the correct level for it.)
You can apply up to 3 months after the baby is born.

It's not ideal as it means you have the money after LO is here, but it's better than nothing!

I totally understand what you are saying and I kinda feel the same way but just bug's me.

I asked them about re-applying and they told me that it would be the same still as its based on 09/10 earning...I was confussed at this point so i just couldn't be bothered with going through it.. I think I will just re-apply anyway it wont hurt to, its an added bonus if I do get it.

Thanks for advicex

 

[honey08]

i dont wrk at all and cos im on incapacity benifit instead of income support i cant get it !

 

[FierceAngel]

anyone who gets higher than the standard rate of ctc will get it once baby is here

this means if your household income is below 40k i think it is then you should get it once babies born

everyone regardless of income should get the following
you get 545 odd for each child
then additional 545 for each child under one

then anything you get above tht entitles you to the grant if tht makes sense

so unless your income stops you recieving any ctc (over 40k odd) then u get it once babies born

reapply once baby is here and you have added new baby to claim xxx

 

[FierceAngel]

sorry just double checked tht cos i confused myself!

its actually if your income is below 25k you can get it once babies born as an income less than this will entitle you to ctc at higher than the family rate...

 

[AP]

So I'm on Mat leave (havent said I'm NOT going back) and get the government standard maternity pay and OH earns say 15k. Can I apply or will they take into consideration that technically I am still employed by the company?