Single, pregnant. Some advice would be appreciated :)

claire_80_2

Hi there

I am currently 20 weeks pregnant and am single.

I work at the moment, roughly 35-40 hours per week. I am a HA tenant.

I am worried about going back to work after my baby is born, I will not be able to afford childcare, and sadly all of my family work so I cannot turn to them either.

I want to go back to work, but know that I might have to be realistic in saying no and staying at home I really don't want to start claiming all the benefits under the sun, but I really do not know what else to do.

IF I were to stay at home and not go back, when do I have to inform my employer, and also what exactly would I be entitled to, would I have enough mony for my baby and I to live on? I have no savings (unfortunately!)... and I am not on the highest wage at the moment, most of my money goes on rent etc.

If any of you could offer some advice I'd be so grateful.

Thank you!

Metranil_Vavin

What will the father be contributing financially?

scootw1

Could you get some help from the father by any chance? I think that should be the first port of call if possible

claire_80_2

No the father is not an option unfortunately...

tazwhoever

where is the father, he's just got you pregnant and walks away? Women don't get pregnant own their own?
Ask for money for the father...

claire_80_2

As you can see from the original post I am asking for help with benefits, I have not asked for help with locating the father.

If someone could please help with the benefit entitlement I would be grateful.

iamana1ias

claire_80 wrote: »

No the father is not an option unfortunately...

Brilliant :T

scootw1

tazwhoever wrote: »

where is the father, he's just got you pregnant and walks away? Women don't get pregnant own their own?
Ask for money for the father...

There may be a good reason why the father is not an option. If he has indeed just walked away then the CSA will catch up to him but there may be another reason (died perhaps?)

katiesmummy

If you choose not to go back to work, you will be entitled to income support, child tax credit, child benefit, housing benefit and council tax benefit plus healthy start vouchers (I think).

Going back to work may not be as daunting as you think it is- if you are in a low-paid job you may find that a vast amount of your childcare costs will be covered by tax credits, plus you may be able to claim some housing/council tax benefit as well to help with those bills. I don't have any family and I work and pay for my youngest to go to nursery and my eldest goes to breakfast club/after school club.

Its not ideal but you gotta do what you gotta do!

Put your wages into entitledto.co.uk and work it as if you have had the baby- put in your wages, childcare costs, rent, council tax etc and it should throw a rough figure at you.

Re the child's father- why is he not an option? You can contact the CSA once you have the baby and they can sort out maintenance for you- its not a guarantee that you will get any but you have nothing to lose.

claire_80_2

iamana1ias wrote: »

Brilliant :T

Yes I thought that at the time, obviously.

looby75

As a lone parent you will be able to get help with childcare costs (up to 80% of the fees) if you go back to work after the baby is born, you will also receive child tax credits and working tax credits so you might find that returning to work is actually a much better option financially than you think