a little help plz :)

deno2000

Hi am a little confused about things and was hopeing someone could help me.

I live with my wife and our 10 year old daughter.

Last year while i was working we decided to go for another baby, my wife fell pregnant a few months later.

unfortunately i lost my job due to cut backs 2 months after we found out my wife was pregnant.

We are now on jobseekers.

I was told that becoz my wife will not have reached the 25th week of her pregnancy before 1 January 2011 we can not get the £190 grant. however i was told not to worry to much about money becoz i would be able to get a grant for £500.

The baby is due 11/06/2011 so today we thought we would start looking into money and working out when we can buy items. On looking into the grant for the £500 it looks like they have new rules.

#### From the gov website ######
Changes in the rules for Sure Start Maternity Grant

The rules for Sure Start Maternity Grant have changed for babies that are:

• due on or after 11 April 2011
• born on or after 11 April 2011
• adopted or in similar arrangements on or after 11 April 2011

The rules for your new baby and any other babies born at the same time

You can only get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if there are no other children under 16 years in your family.
The rules for your dependent child’s new baby and any other babies born at the same time

You can only get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if your dependant is under 20 years and has no other children.


##############




Now after seeing the part that says "You can only get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if there are no other children under 16 years in your family." i started to worry again about money. Does this mean i will not get any help at all becoz we already have a 10 year old ?





i would be greatful for any help with this.

sammyjammy

I believe you're right, there is another thread on this somewhere on this board if you do a search, I think its because they would assume you still have all the things the baby needs like cot etc.

Hopefully you'll have a job by then and won't need it anyway, best of luck.

Sam

MrsManda

You won't get the Sure Start Maternity Grant because you already have a child under the age of 16.
This doesn't mean you won't get ANY help, just means you're not entitled to the Sure Start Maternity Grant

sunnyone

deno2000 wrote: »

Hi am a little confused about things and was hopeing someone could help me.

I live with my wife and our 10 year old daughter.

Last year while i was working we decided to go for another baby, my wife fell pregnant a few months later.

unfortunately i lost my job due to cut backs 2 months after we found out my wife was pregnant.

We are now on jobseekers.

I was told that becoz my wife will not have reached the 25th week of her pregnancy before 1 January 2011 we can not get the £190 grant. however i was told not to worry to much about money becoz i would be able to get a grant for £500.

The baby is due 11/06/2011 so today we thought we would start looking into money and working out when we can buy items. On looking into the grant for the £500 it looks like they have new rules.

#### From the gov website ######
Changes in the rules for Sure Start Maternity Grant

The rules for Sure Start Maternity Grant have changed for babies that are:

• due on or after 11 April 2011
• born on or after 11 April 2011
• adopted or in similar arrangements on or after 11 April 2011

The rules for your new baby and any other babies born at the same time

You can only get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if there are no other children under 16 years in your family.
The rules for your dependent child’s new baby and any other babies born at the same time

You can only get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if your dependant is under 20 years and has no other children.


##############




Now after seeing the part that says "You can only get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if there are no other children under 16 years in your family." i started to worry again about money. Does this mean i will not get any help at all becoz we already have a 10 year old ?





i would be greatful for any help with this.

Yes, you are not eligable.

deno2000

MrsManda wrote: »

You won't get the Sure Start Maternity Grant because you already have a child under the age of 16.
This doesn't mean you won't get ANY help, just means you're not entitled to the Sure Start Maternity Grant

what else is there ? i have checked and dont see any other grants...

MrsManda

Put your details into the benefits calculators below to see what benefits you are entitled to.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DoItOnlineByCategory/DG_172666

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

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

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/index.htm

Tigsteroonie

Increased child benefit, increased child tax credits.

deno2000

MrsManda wrote: »

Put your details into the benefits calculators below to see what benefits you are entitled to.

i cant say 1 child and expecting one with that. to tell me how much we will be on after the baby is born.

and i wouldnt trust puttin in a fake date who knows what it will be after the 11th of apr

But thanks all the feedback

Tigsteroonie

deno2000 wrote: »

i cant say 1 child and expecting one with that. to tell me how much we will be on after the baby is born.

and i wouldnt trust puttin in a fake date who knows what it will be after the 11th of apr

But thanks all the feedback

So pretend you've got both children at this point in time (pretend the baby was born same date but last year) and see what it tells you that you could get as increased benefits/credits now - that'll give you a bit of an indication as to what increase to expect in the future.

Jowo_2

deno2000 wrote: »

i cant say 1 child and expecting one with that. to tell me how much we will be on after the baby is born.

and i wouldnt trust puttin in a fake date who knows what it will be after the 11th of apr

But thanks all the feedback

That's the whole point - its an estimate so you can plan your income ahead of your actual changes! Yes, it's a pretend scenario but it will be reality in a few months. Many people use the calculators to model changes to their situation rather than wait until the changes have actually happened!

There are changes planned to the benefits system all the time - it shouldn't be difficult to identify those that could impact you.

If you outline the benefits you are currently receiving, perhaps other members can point out any changes they think will specifically affect you.

brightonqueen

Hi, i am in a similar situation as you.

I am pregnant with my second child, due 9.7.11. I did not know of the sure start maternity grant with my first child, however now i do know of it's existance i am probably a few weeks short of being able to claim it this time around, due to the government changes. My midwife advised me to pick up a form & apply anyway, explaining that i didn't claim it with my first pregnancy. I will do, as it's worth a try, & got nothing to lose, although i'm not holding too much hope! Did you apply & recieve the grant with your first child?

As for the benefits calculator, i have tried to calculate for the unborn baby by choosing todays date, as that should give you the most accurate & up to date answer. Obviously it's not a guaranteed amount until the baby is born, but a starter to try & work your income around.