pregnant and worried about mortgage

DIVA07984

hI all

Just found out that i am pregnant - I have been loan parent to 3 kids youngest being 11. Been working for a number of years part time - and now full time for the last 1.5 years.

I am not sure how i am going to cope - and just wondered how people managed to get by . My biggest fear i have is, how on earth will i manage to continue paying my mortgage which is about £1100 a month . plus everything else.

What will i be entitled to ??? Is there any other places that assist with helping with mortgage - i dont mean like housing benifit -where you have to wait 9 months .

I am so worried - i havent told anyone yet- cause i am struggling with trying to work out how i will manage . Is there any insurances that i could take out that would cover me with bills?? Help please

MrsTinks

I can't think of any insurances that will help however if you go to http://www.entitledto.co.uk/ you can see what support you will get. Is the father not around to help pay the bills?? Regardless he will be liable for child support to help pay for his child.
You say loan parent - do you mean lone ie single mum? Or are they not your children yet you act as their guardian? Sorry but this is obviously quite important.
£1100 is a lot for mortgage payments and as you say then there are bills on top. If you are still going to be a single parent with this child then I think you are in for some very lean times I'm afraid... Is the property large enough that you can take in a lodger for extra cash?
and some will probably strongly disagree with this but I'll say it none the less... IF you can't afford this have you thought about termination? I'm not saying it's the only solution or one you agree with but I think you need to think of it if the 3 other children are your responcibility too. You have a duty of care to all of them too and not just the new pregnancy.

DIVA07984

thanks for your response

The 3 children are from a previous relationship , 18, 16, 11. I am with someone but i didnt plan to get pregnant

Well surely i am not the only single person with a mortgage- how do others manage???

DIVA07984

oops yes single mum - tried to get csa from there dad - zero payments received . csa have not helped me at all. I split up with him about 5 years ago - and have never received a penny from him

MrsTinks

Personally I'd pursue this if I were you... 5 years of backdated CSA... Also the father of this child - again if he doesn't wish to be included will still have to pay. However CSA you recieve will directly affect benefits relating to the children. How do others get by? I'm not sure all of them do... That is one reason why houses get repossessed... I know I'm painting a pretty bleak picture here but I think you need to look at things realistically before you decide on what you are going to do.
To start with - what is the maternity policy where you work? Do you get anything half decent or is it purely statutory?
I'd suggest you put together your current SOA and an estimated SOA for when baby arrives to have a look at the real maths and post them on the Debt Free Wannabe board - here is a link http://www.makesenseofcards.com/soacalc.html
use this to do your SOA and we'll have a look at if ends can meet...

RoxieW

I feel for you - this must be a real shock with your 3 children being alot older and able to look after themselves in some respects.
why not post up your SOA (incomings and outgoings) so we can have look and get a clear picture. Could you go part time and get help with childcare fee's from tax credits? Or even still work full time? As a lone parent you should get some help from tax credits to cover childcare. I'd also pursue CSA money - you shouldnt have to carry the can alone.

littlemissmoney

Can the 16 and 18 year old not work part time to help out?

DIVA07984

Thanks - i would definately have to work part-time - if i have this baby (possibly be off work for at least 6 months. But i was worried about what happens whilst on maternity leave when from what i am hearing you only get about £100 how will i manage to pay the mortgage etc. How do others cope with this - as single parents??

littlemissmoney

What does www.entitledto.co.uk say you will get?

ginvzt

First of all check what is the maternity pay at work - some of them are rather generous. The statutory pay is 90% for 6 weeks and then ~£117 per week fro the 33 weeks. So you would be getting more than £400 a month. Whilst it is not taht much, is more than a £100....

Oldernotwiser

Many lone parents are on IS and have their rent paid for by HB. You can only get help with the interest on your mortgage payments and then after only 39 weeks (although I believe that's going down to 26 quite soon). Whether you'll be working full or part time you need to look at what tax credits you'll receive and paying for childcare.

Can you move anywhere cheaper or go into a rented property?