OMG Pregnant and Bankrupt!

gtanny

first of congratulations

unfortunatly as you are on 20k+ a year im afraid i dont think you will be elligable for any of the grants (you will get child allowance so it gives you an extra 80 a month and you should also get child tax credit which will add another small ammount to your income)

i declared myself BR to help me in the future with my wife and daughter as it will be out the way by the time she is old enough to understand and we can start going on family holidays once she starts appriciating them

good luck and you will get a lot of support from all over, my wife is a member of the justmommies.com forum and they offer a lot of help and advice if you want to pop over and have a chat to all the ladys over there

mel12

know I don't need to spend loads as its about giving love and keeping a roof over their head but I would have liked to have some money to buy bits and pieces throughout my pregnancy - I don't think £250 a month will cut it for food when I have a baby and endless amounts of nappies and milk to buy

Are you paying some of your income to an IPA at the moment? (I think the ipa can be adjusted as your living expenses will be higher, perhaps someone can confirm this?)

System

Congratulations on your news. We had a baby 3 months ago and, despite the financial mess we are in, have found it to be the best thing ever. You get 80 per month child benefit, regardless of income. We also get tax credits of approx £110 per month, even though our joint income last year was close to £40k. As mentioned, try the NCT nearly new sales (http://www.nct.org.uk/in-your-area/nearly-new-sales), we got loads of really good stuff which was hardly worn - and it was really cheap. We also got a 'help in maternity' grant of about £190 when my partner was 20 weeks.

Speak with your OR asap, if you are paying into an IPA they may or may not reduce it, you dont get if you dont ask.

Good luck, it really is worthwhile.

Worcsman

Congratulations! :beer: I went BR after we found out our new born, also unplanned had downs syndrome, I previously worked overseas but couldnt find work in the uk. We did superbly well on benefits until after I was discharged, then I found a full time job. There are several income streams for people on benefits with a baby and also grants, we even got a free laptop for my 12 year old and 12 months internet access. I was very suprised at exactly what you have access to once you dont work (thats an understatement, I now understand after working every day of my adult life, (except during my 12 month BR and the 6 months looking for work when i returned back to the uk prior to that) Im now 42, why so many people never ever work). That wont help you though as you are working and will be left to look after yourself. I can see why you are worried though, babies are very expensive! I can only wish you good luck and congrats... My OH is expecting another one now, due about the same time as yours.. This one was planned.

Here's a few links, there are tons of web resources, have a google..

First starting point, you may well be better off on benefits.. Have a look here,
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx there are more checkers including the .gov but they all do pretty much the same thing.. Try it 2 ways, in employment with current income and unemployed getting jsa..

heres another http://www.askbaby.com/baby-financial-benefits.htm covering:
Sure start Maternity Grants
Child tax credits
Working tax credits
Childcare Tax Credits
Nursery education grants
Child Trust FundsAnd a few more..
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018854

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018869

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/HavingABaby/index.htm

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/benefits_for_families_and_children.htm

Hope that helps.

andreap1984

GEEGEE8 wrote: »

I've had a look and it seems you may have to be claiming some sort of benefit to be entitled.

This gives a good overview I think.

http://www.forparentsbyparents.com/index.html?pn=838

Thanks, unfortunately as i'm on more than £20k a year and not receiving benefits it would seem i'm not entitled to any grants

andreap1984

mel12 wrote: »

Are you paying some of your income to an IPA at the moment? (I think the ipa can be adjusted as your living expenses will be higher, perhaps someone can confirm this?)

Hi Mel12, no I didn't have enough surplus to enter into an IPA

Do I need to tell my OR that i'm pregnant?

andreap1984

woody1983uk wrote: »

Congratulations on your news. We had a baby 3 months ago and, despite the financial mess we are in, have found it to be the best thing ever. You get 80 per month child benefit, regardless of income. We also get tax credits of approx £110 per month, even though our joint income last year was close to £40k. As mentioned, try the NCT nearly new sales (http://www.nct.org.uk/in-your-area/nearly-new-sales), we got loads of really good stuff which was hardly worn - and it was really cheap. We also got a 'help in maternity' grant of about £190 when my partner was 20 weeks.

Speak with your OR asap, if you are paying into an IPA they may or may not reduce it, you dont get if you dont ask.

Good luck, it really is worthwhile.

woody, thanks for the info

Do you get child benefit and child tax credits if your income is less than a certain amount? As this is what I was worried about, becuase I have no surplu how i'd afford food, nappies etc

THe help in maternity grant - can you advise if this is open to everyone or do you need to receive benefit to apply?

I do not have an IPA as there wasn't enough surplus left

andreap1984

Worcsman wrote: »

Congratulations! :beer: I went BR after we found out our new born, also unplanned had downs syndrome, I previously worked overseas but couldnt find work in the uk. We did superbly well on benefits until after I was discharged, then I found a full time job. There are several income streams for people on benefits with a baby and also grants, we even got a free laptop for my 12 year old and 12 months internet access. I was very suprised at exactly what you have access to once you dont work (thats an understatement, I now understand after working every day of my adult life, (except during my 12 month BR and the 6 months looking for work when i returned back to the uk prior to that) Im now 42, why so many people never ever work). That wont help you though as you are working and will be left to look after yourself. I can see why you are worried though, babies are very expensive! I can only wish you good luck and congrats... My OH is expecting another one now, due about the same time as yours.. This one was planned.

Here's a few links, there are tons of web resources, have a google..

First starting point, you may well be better off on benefits.. Have a look here,
http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx there are more checkers including the .gov but they all do pretty much the same thing.. Try it 2 ways, in employment with current income and unemployed getting jsa..

heres another http://www.askbaby.com/baby-financial-benefits.htm covering:
Sure start Maternity Grants
Child tax credits
Working tax credits
Childcare Tax Credits
Nursery education grants
Child Trust FundsAnd a few more..
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018854

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018869

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Parents/HavingABaby/index.htm

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/benefits_for_families_and_children.htm

Hope that helps.

Thank you for all of this and congratulations on your news of a nwe arrival also

I do think sometimes I would be better off packing in work and living on benefits but I love my job and love the fact I am self sufficient even though I don't have a pnny left!

My family are helping out loads and its not before the baby arrives that's worrying me its about afterwards and affording the essentials but i've been advised that I should receive child tax creit and child benefit which hopefully will help cover the small things

missminx007

andreap1984 wrote: »

Thank you for all of this and congratulations on your news of a nwe arrival also

I do think sometimes I would be better off packing in work and living on benefits but I love my job and love the fact I am self sufficient even though I don't have a pnny left!

My family are helping out loads and its not before the baby arrives that's worrying me its about afterwards and affording the essentials but i've been advised that I should receive child tax creit and child benefit which hopefully will help cover the small things

have you had a look at entitledto.com you can work out how much you will be entitled to once the baby arrives

System

We received the 'health in maternity' grant of just less than £200, this was regardless of income. Ask you midwife about this. We also get £80 per month child benefit now the baby is born, again this is regardless of income. You will be entitled to child tax credits and/or working tax credits, although this varies massively depending on wages, nursery fees etc. Last year i earnt £25k and my partner earnt about £14k, and we get just over £100 per month. The amount we receive will go up once we start paying for childcare, although if your partner isnt working then that shouldnt be an issue for you.

I would also try breastfeeding, its great for mother, great for the baby and great on the wallet!!!