Redundancy whilst pregnant - entitled to???

claire0710

I am possibly going to take voluntary redundancy from work. Things are complicated for me so here goes with my explanation:

I have just returned from maternity leave in February.
I am 10 weeks pregnant again (unplanned!).
I also have cancer which has become active again recently so will need to have surgery so will probably be unable to work between now and baby number 3.

Does anyone have any idea if I can still claim maternity allowance? I know I won't be entitled to SMP but maybe MA will be awarded?
Tax credits will hardly change, I have just spoke to them and would only be entitled to £15 a week more.

I can't get through to anyone at my local benefits office right now and just wondered if anyone knew what, if anything, I might be able to claim. I am getting worried that I won't receive anything!

Thanks for any advice

karenx

Google maternity allowance forms, there is a table to work out your test period using your due date. You must of worked at least 26 weeks in that period to be entitled.

sunnyone

claire0710 wrote: »

I am possibly going to take voluntary redundancy from work. Things are complicated for me so here goes with my explanation:

I have just returned from maternity leave in February.
I am 10 weeks pregnant again (unplanned!).
I also have cancer which has become active again recently so will need to have surgery so will probably be unable to work between now and baby number 3.

Does anyone have any idea if I can still claim maternity allowance? I know I won't be entitled to SMP but maybe MA will be awarded?
Tax credits will hardly change, I have just spoke to them and would only be entitled to £15 a week more.

I can't get through to anyone at my local benefits office right now and just wondered if anyone knew what, if anything, I might be able to claim. I am getting worried that I won't receive anything!

Thanks for any advice

Does your cancer cause care or mobility needs?

If so you may be entitled to DLA (disabled living allowance)

I hope that everything goes well for you, having cancer, having a young child (or two, your post said baby number three) and being pregnant is a huge pressure on anyone.

metalgal

I agree with karenx its your best bet, but if you find that you will not be eligible you should be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance. It will probably based on National Insurance contributions but you would have still been credited with contributions whilst you were on maternity leave.

claire0710

sunnyone wrote: »

Does your cancer cause care or mobility needs?

If so you may be entitled to DLA (disabled living allowance)

I hope that everything goes well for you, having cancer, having a young child (or two, your post said baby number three) and being pregnant is a huge pressure on anyone.

To some degree yes. Extensive surgery to my neck over the last 6 years has caused me some problems including nerve damage to my shoulder meaning I have little strength there. I also have nerve damage to my tongue meaning only half of it moves.
However, I have applied for DLA twice and been refused, don't have the energy to go through all the paperwork again, seems a waste of time!
I am exhausted now, over the years I have had 4 major surgeries to my neck and thyroid cancer causes fatique, weight problems, memory problems and I constantly feel cold.

I have one son who is 7 years old, I was diagnosed when he was 6 mths old. My second son is 7 months old, we decided to try for a baby after I'd had a year of clear blood tests so docs gave me go ahead. Now I find myself pregnant again despite breastfeeding and having no periods so it has come as a shock but I have to get on with it!

I have never claimed benefits in my life, all through my cancer treatment I have tried to return to work as soon as possible, sometimes too soon. I cut my hours to try and cope better rather than claim benefits. However, now I am asking for a bit of help for the first time since I started work at 17 and it seems like I'll get very little at all!!!

sunnyone

claire0710 wrote: »

To some degree yes. Extensive surgery to my neck over the last 6 years has caused me some problems including nerve damage to my shoulder meaning I have little strength there. I also have nerve damage to my tongue meaning only half of it moves.
However, I have applied for DLA twice and been refused, don't have the energy to go through all the paperwork again, seems a waste of time!
I am exhausted now, over the years I have had 4 major surgeries to my neck and thyroid cancer causes fatique, weight problems, memory problems and I constantly feel cold.

I have one son who is 7 years old, I was diagnosed when he was 6 mths old. My second son is 7 months old, we decided to try for a baby after I'd had a year of clear blood tests so docs gave me go ahead. Now I find myself pregnant again despite breastfeeding and having no periods so it has come as a shock but I have to get on with it!

I have never claimed benefits in my life, all through my cancer treatment I have tried to return to work as soon as possible, sometimes too soon. I cut my hours to try and cope better rather than claim benefits. However, now I am asking for a bit of help for the first time since I started work at 17 and it seems like I'll get very little at all!!!

It may be worth asking for help with the DLA forms from Macmillan, they have helped one of my a family membesr with the paperwork and they were great, the problems you have mentioned in this post may entitle you to a DLA award and the treatment that you now need may also mean that you are entitled to DLA.

You may also be entitled to ESA (employment and support alllowance) if you are unable to work, this depends on your NI contributions or income based.

My husband has an endocrine tumour and has been diganosed since last July but he may have two tumors in diffrent glands, hes still having the most intrusive tests before any surgery is considered and its hellish for our family but we will gt through it!


good luck amd a I wish you wellwith your treatment and your pregnacy.