Confused about maternity benefits

shazza79

I am 25 weeks pregnant, have a 3 year old child and my husband is self-employed.

My husband currently claims WTC, Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit and I claim CTC and Child Benefit.

My husband business is not bringing in any income at present but he is not willing to sign on JSA.

Does anyone know if I can claim any benefit such as IS or Incapacity Benefit?

Thanks for your help

dookar

shazza79 wrote: »

I am 25 weeks pregnant, have a 3 year old child and my husband is self-employed.

My husband currently claims WTC, Council Tax Benefit and Housing Benefit and I claim CTC and Child Benefit.

My husband business is not bringing in any income at present but he is not willing to sign on JSA.

Does anyone know if I can claim any benefit such as IS or Incapacity Benefit?

Thanks for your help

From what you say, you would have no condition of entitlement to either. You can claim maternity benefits when you are within 11 weeks of your due date.

shazza79

dookar wrote: »

From what you say, you would have no condition of entitlement to either. You can claim maternity benefits when you are within 11 weeks of your due date.

Do you know what benefits I would be entitled to then?

stazi

If you have worked recently and paid NIC, you may be entitled to claim Maternity Allowance from 11 weeks, or ESA from 6 weeks before childbirth.

More info at-
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018869
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/DG_171894

alwaysonthego_2

I am guessing you do not work or have not done recently if so you would not be entitled to any benefits such as ESA or MA.

Your husband is still classed as being self employed so would not be entitled to JSA even though he is not bringing in any money as he will be doing over 16 hours as he is claiming WTC.

You will get the Health in Pregnancy grant and sure start maternity grant.

You are probably better off claiming WTC rather than JSA.

loobyloo0302

There's also the maternity grant you can claim at 26 weeks, but you have to be working (sorry, can't remember whether you said you were or not). You also have the £500 sure start grant but you have to be claiming all sorts in order to recieve that.

I know that's not the answer that you wanted but at least if you qualify for the above, its a little helping hand to get everything prepared

I'm not so lucky in as much as we both work, our joint income is always just that little bit above being able to claim a penny - with 2 young babies and 20 weeks pregnant with another They never go without a single thing, and its not so bad, as at least we can say that we provide for our children in the best way we can, and we set an example

alwaysonthego_2

loobyloo0302 wrote: »

There's also the maternity grant you can claim at 26 weeks Health in pregnancy grant, claimed from 25 weeks, all women are entitled to this regardless whether they are working and it is non-means tested, but you have to be working (sorry, can't remember whether you said you were or not). You also have the £500 sure start grant but you have to be claiming all sorts in order to recieve that The op can claim this from 29 weeks pregnant as she will be likely to be claiming higher than the basic family rate in ctc.

hope this helps

loobyloo0302

alwaysonthego wrote: »

hope this helps

AHhhh right. Well you've helped me because I'm sure my midwife told me it was just for wokring mums.. I felt like it was worth working for a change, loll

As for the surestart, I was aware that you had to be claiming benefits or higher rate of tax credits etc as we are not entitled to it for that reason.

shazza79

loobyloo0302 wrote: »

There's also the maternity grant you can claim at 26 weeks, but you have to be working (sorry, can't remember whether you said you were or not). You also have the £500 sure start grant but you have to be claiming all sorts in order to recieve that.

I know that's not the answer that you wanted but at least if you qualify for the above, its a little helping hand to get everything prepared

I'm not so lucky in as much as we both work, our joint income is always just that little bit above being able to claim a penny - with 2 young babies and 20 weeks pregnant with another They never go without a single thing, and its not so bad, as at least we can say that we provide for our children in the best way we can, and we set an example

Thank you for your opinion. If you was referring to the £190 government payout when you refer to the maternity grant, then I do believe that all pregnant women whether working or not are entitled to this money.

My child like yours also never goes without, he may not get the latest fashions but at least he will learn to appreciate money!!!

shazza79

alwaysonthego wrote: »

hope this helps

It does, thank you for your help

loobyloo0302

shazza79 wrote: »

Thank you for your opinion. If you was referring to the £190 government payout when you refer to the maternity grant, then I do believe that all pregnant women whether working or not are entitled to this money.

My child like yours also never goes without, he may not get the latest fashions but at least he will learn to appreciate money!!!

Ahh no, sorry, I didn't mean to offend!! Your husband must work hard as self employed!! I just meant that its frustrating when even if your on the breadline, your seen as being able to cope, working or not. Sorry!!

And with the maternity grant, yep, this has been cleared up, I think it was probably just crossed wires (or maybe me switching off as usual)

Apologies again!