What can they claim?

babymoo

My brother and his girlfriend have just found out they are expecting a baby. Whilst this is wonderful news it is not exactly fantastic timing or an ideal situation but they are determined to make the best of it.

My brother who is 22 earns £780 per month and is currently looking for a place for them to live, his girlfriend has just lost her job so is now not earning anything. She is only 17 and currently lives with her grandparents who are her legal guardians I believe but they have told her they want nothing more to do with her and she has to get out so they are both hoping to move in together.

My brother has looked around a flat which will cost £350 per month. The landlord is happy for his girlfriend to live there but not to go on the tenancy because of her age and is aware that she is now pregnant.

What will my brothers girlfriend be entitled to claim?
Will they be entitled to housing benefit/council tax benefit?
Due to his age my brother is not entitled to WTC, will that change with a baby on the way?

Any help or advice would be greatfully received.

Thank you

Babymoo

welshmoneylover

babymoo wrote: »

My brother and his girlfriend have just found out they are expecting a baby. Whilst this is wonderful news it is not exactly fantastic timing or an ideal situation but they are determined to make the best of it.

My brother who is 22 earns £780 per month and is currently looking for a place for them to live, his girlfriend has just lost her job so is now not earning anything. She is only 17 and currently lives with her grandparents who are her legal guardians I believe but they have told her they want nothing more to do with her and she has to get out so they are both hoping to move in together.

My brother has looked around a flat which will cost £350 per month. The landlord is happy for his girlfriend to live there but not to go on the tenancy because of her age and is aware that she is now pregnant.

What will my brothers girlfriend be entitled to claim?
Will they be entitled to housing benefit/council tax benefit?
Due to his age my brother is not entitled to WTC, will that change with a baby on the way?

Any help or advice would be greatfully received.

Thank you

Babymoo

Wow, gone are the days when having a baby was a joyous occasion and parents worked and budgeted for a baby.

Rather nowadays, it is how much can we claim and what will the tax payer give us to bring up our child? :cool:

DX2

They will be entitled to WTC and CTC once the child is born.
Pretty sure he could apply for HB and CTB but I suspect it may just be a bed sit rate until the baby is born.
Sure start grant now this has just changed just recently with the budget.

I think the GF might be able to claim IS youth rules.

babymoo

Thank you DX2

Indie_Kid

DX2 - it would be ESA youth; not IS.

DX2

sh1305 wrote: »

DX2 - it would be ESA youth; not IS.

Ah thanks I was struggling with what she may be entitled to with her being 17.

Indie_Kid

She might be entitled to maternity allowance instead - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018869

babymoo

Cheers guys, thats the thing that has been worrying them with her being so young. I have offered to look after the baby when her maternity leave is over so she can get back to work as I cannot work due to illnesses. There will be enough people around them with my parents and my other siblings that they shouldnt need to pay for childcare so they will both be able to work to support their family. Just need a little help in the next 12 months.

I agree that this situation is not brilliant, they know they have been very silly in letting this happen in the first place but then no one is perfect. I am going to the CAB with her on thursday so will ask them aswell but now I am least not going in blindfolded and will know sort of what to expect them to tell us.

Robbie64

sh1305 wrote: »

DX2 - it would be ESA youth; not IS.

ESA in youth is for the long term sick, there is a requirement to have had a limited capability for work for at least 28 consecutive weeks. It's basically a lift from the old Severe Disablement Allowance / Incapacity Benefit rules.

McKneff

Good for you for looking out for them. Its nice that they have the family to support them.
Her grandparents should be ashamed of themselves. But, its their loss, they wont get the pleasure of seeing their great grandchild
grow up.

I was 17 when i had my first child and i was a child myself. No family around me apart from OH of course. I just had to get up and get on with it.

I wish them well.