Am i eligible for it? (pregnancy & baby)

happytails

Hi, We are expecting our first baby in Feb 2009! And i was just a little confused on what benefit i am likely to receive.

My Fiance works 40+hours a week and has a basic of £19k plus upto £5k annual overtime. Receives no benefits at present. He is 19 - 20 in Sept.

I have just given up my business (not informed HMRC yet) due to health reasons (before i found out i was pregnant). I was on an estimated income of £4k (first year of business lol) So i am now on nothing. I receive no benefit at the moment. I am 19 - 20 after baby is born.

1)If i still have my business (in theory) but have no clients would i be entitled to any sort of Maternity allowance?
2)I have heard of the Sure start maternity grant but dont you have to receive certain benefits for X amount of time to recieve this? Is there a way i can go against a panel to take into consideration our situation as being out of work the £500 would be handy.
3)What other benefits are we entitled to with being pregnant/having a baby? The government websites arent very easy to understand, id just like to know where we stand with all of this.
4)i am also trying to get a temporary job would this affect anything i could receive?

Thanks in advance,

Sarah

monkey22_2

First of all congratulations!:j

I'm not completely sure what you'll be entitled to, the best place to look is www.entitledto.co.uk
You'll definitely get child benefit of course, which I think is £18 a week and I'm sure you'll get WTC.
As regards to Maternity Allowance it depends how much National Insurance contributions you've made this year and how many weeks you've worked. If you qualify, it's £117 a week.

Check out that website though as you may be eligible for other stuff.

Tracymae

Keep paying your class 2 NI contributions, even if you make no money from your business at all you will be entitled to maternity allowance at the maximum standard amount- £117 a week. If you have a small earning exemption certificate you get a lower rate- £27 a week.
"If you have paid Class 2 NI contributions at the end of each week in your 13 week earnings period, you will be treated as having enough earnings to receive standard rate MA."

missjennipenni

You wont be entitled to a sure start grant if your partner earns £19k +. Its for people who are a lot worse off im afraid (on benefits, or receieving a high element of working tax credit)

You wont be entitled to much until AFTER the baby is born, when you will get child benefit plus child tax credits

HTH

nifi26

If you start a job now and will be working for the next 6 months (right up to due date) then you will qualify for SMP- 90% of your wage for 6 weeks and then £117 for 33 weeks.

If you do not qualify for SMP you may still qualify for MA, which is less (i'm not sure how much) but every little helps...

You will be entitled to child benefits and CHILD TAX CREDIT. Many people don't apply for tax credits because it seems too complicated but it's totaly worth it.
Our joint income is grater than yours and we recieve as much taxt credit as child benefits, so you are likely to get even more.

Try www.direct.gov.uk go to money,tax and benefits on the right hand menue. There are explanations on how to claim + numbers and addresses that you will need.