single parent benefits

j.neasmith

My 18yr old daughter has found out she is 8wks pregnant and wants to keep the baby (partner doesn't). She is currently studying A levels and wants to continue with this for as long as she can. Does she just continue claiming EMA or is she entitled to other benefits too?, also once the baby is born we would like her to stay living with us for a time just to give her as much support as possible but after a while could she privately rent her own home but get help with the rent aswell?. Could someone just give me a basic run down of what she would be entitled to through preganancy (if anything) and once she has the baby, and roughly how much she would get?, this is her main concern, as she wants to become a teacher and did have uni plans to achieve this but obviously now this will need to be put on hold but she wants to still believe she can achieve her career so she can support her child on her own.

mum2one

Congratulations, and she's very lucky to have family support.

I don't know what she gets now, but she should be entitled to

Income Support (can't remember under 25 lower amount)

Child tax credit (presenty £214 ish (every 4 weeks, or think can be paid weekly) get £10 pw extra for the 1st year, not sure if its the 2nd year now)

Child Benefit - currently £80 every 4 weeks, (again they may pay monthly).

She can apply for maintance from partner for the baby, if she does go down the benefit route, they may want her to do that.

Education -
Maybe the tradational Uni life not possible, but has she looked into Open Uni she can study at home, carry forward any completed years from Uni across, if she was on Income Support, and studied over 60 points, she'd be entitled to full course grant, (think is £1,250), plus £250 study grant, - this does not affect Income Support, (been there, done that brought the t-shirt).

The best bet for an idea of income would be the entitled to website, its confidential, you don't have your name or NI number, you can have a twidle with the figures and it gives a summary.

Also being pregnant-
Free dental treatment NHS dentist - till baby 12 months old
Free prescriptions - till baby 12 months old

Theres a new grant thats given to all pregnant woman - also if shes on beneifts she can apply for a sure start (think thats the right name) grant £500, (non repayable), there is a time restriction eg 28 weeks pregnant until baby 3 months, once she'd be on income support, she'd be entitled to get it.

At the moment I would guess bar the grants she would only get the EMA as shes currently studying, without being cheeky, do you claim child benefit for her as shes in full time education.

Maybe worth popping into citizens advice bureau or contact jobcentre plus, so you have an idea of dates when you need to be applying for anything.

I'm currently a full time mum, but studying with the OU, if u want to ask anything etc, pm and if I can help I will xx

LondonDiva

Would she not be better off staying at home, given her studies and wish to go on to further education?

It would be more difficult if she moved away from the support she currently has.

baza52

She wont need to support the baby on her own as it is her "partners" responsibilty as well.
Although he doesnt want the baby he is financialy resposible.

At 8 weeks it must be fresh news to all of you, What does he say about it? How will they continue to be "partners" ?

Oldernotwiser

I don't see why she has to put her career plans on hold, certainly not for more than a year. Lone parents are quite well supported when studying as she'll be considered an independent student as far as her loans/grants are concerned and will be able to claim Dependants Allowance and help with childcare as well as some additional help with paying rent.

Don't let her give up her plans too easily and certainly don't use words like "obviously" when talking about putting her plans on hold.