what can i claim, low income family.

*star.86*

im currently 6 months pregnant and really worrying about money after the babys here, i have no idea what benifits i can claim, my partner is self employed but work is pretty low atm and hes only working about 11 hours a week, i no i can claim child benefit when babys here but is that it? we are really struggling as it is, and the £20 child benefit will not be enough to keep us going. we do already claim housing benifit and council tax benefit. does anyone know anything else we can claim until my partners work picks up? thankyou for any help

karenx

Tax credits once the baby is here. Do you work?

karenx

If you are then fit enough for work then I think you may have to come off it and go onto JSA if you are looking for work. Theres nothing else available to claim just now. Have you applied for the HIP grant and sure start grant?

lil_lisa

If you have only recently been claiming ESA were you working before that? You may be able to claim MA or SMP from an employer?

*star.86*

iv applied for the hip one and am planning to apply for the other in 2 weeks, do u have any idea how long after the birth they will make me look for work i dont think i will be claiming jsa if they make me start back to work straight away, i dnt want someone else raising my newborn baby so i think we will just have to struggle on what work my partner has

*star.86*

i was not working before i was unemployed but due to start bk at college in september so i carnt claim from an employer

karenx

You wont be entitled to any maternity allowance either. Just have to be careful with your spending for now till the baby is here and you will get your child benefit and tax credits. Have a look at some of the boards on here for tips on how to save some money and cut back on your food shopping etc! Also sign up to the tesco baby group and boots and the pampers and huggies sites as they send you out vouchers every quarter, sometimes more! Sometimes its just a pound saving here and there but every little helps!!

lil_lisa

Your partner may be able to claim JSA if he's working under the 16 hours but i'm not sure if he would get it as he's self employed. I don't think he could get Conts based JSA but dependant on family income he may be able to get Income based. Again, not 100% on this but if he at least puts in a claim then the worst they can do is say no.

*star.86*

ok, thanks everyone for your help

Oldernotwiser

*star.86* wrote: »

iv applied for the hip one and am planning to apply for the other in 2 weeks, do u have any idea how long after the birth they will make me look for work i dont think i will be claiming jsa if they make me start back to work straight away, i dnt want someone else raising my newborn baby so i think we will just have to struggle on what work my partner has

If your partner is only working 11 hours a week then won't he be able to look after the baby?

*star.86*

it would be possible but at the moment he has no controle over when he works or what hours, if a job comes up he takes it, and it would still mean the baby being with a minder most days for a couple of hours wich will cost a fortune and i really dont like the idea of, theres so many people out there that get far more help and have no intention of working we are trying to get a buisness up and running and are being told il have to have someone raise my baby for me.