Sure start maternity grant-immigration

savvysaver07

Background info, I(male, British citizen, partner is expecting) applied for the sure start maternity grant, I'm getting income based job seekers allowance, my partner is not on my claim for JSA because she has no recourse to public funds(not British citizen). Jobcentre have refused me the sure start grant because my partner is not on my JSA claim and have been told by them that once the baby is born, to apply for tax credits and then apply again for the grant.

Now I was under the impression that as a partner, I can apply for it and providing I get one of the benefits and partner is less than 29 weeks remaining that I could get it...

So question is, where do I go from here? Do I appeal? or wait till baby is born and then re-apply?

Thank you

Sam____2

is this your first child?

savvysaver07

Sam___ wrote: »

is this your first child?

yes first child

Sam____2

ok, just asking as you only get it for the first child now. I think what they have told you is right, you can apply right after the baby is born and up to 3 months after. if you still qualify of course, you may be in employment by then.

pmlindyloo

savvysaver07 wrote: »

Background info, I(male, British citizen, partner is expecting) applied for the sure start maternity grant, I'm getting income based job seekers allowance, my partner is not on my claim for JSA because she has no recourse to public funds(not British citizen). Jobcentre have refused me the sure start grant because my partner is not on my JSA claim and have been told by them that once the baby is born, to apply for tax credits and then apply again for the grant.

Now I was under the impression that as a partner, I can apply for it and providing I get one of the benefits and partner is less than 29 weeks remaining that I could get it...

So question is, where do I go from here? Do I appeal? or wait till baby is born and then re-apply?

Thank you

These are the eligibility criteria:

Who can get a Sure Start Maternity Grant?

You can get a Sure Start Maternity Grant if you or your partner, receive any of the following on the date you claim:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element
• Working Tax Credit where a disability or severe disability element is included in the award

and if one of the following applies to you on the date you claim:

• you or your partner are pregnant and expecting a baby within 11 weeks or have given birth within the last three months

I think you have misunderstood what you have been told. You can claim when your partner has 11 weeks 'to go' and then up to three months after the birth.

If you have been told that you can claim when the baby is born then I cannot see that your partner's immigration status has anything to do with it. (Someone will correct me if I'm wrong)

If I have understood you correctly, then you are trying to claim when your partner has less than 29 weeks remaining instead of 11 weeks remaining.

Apologies if I've misunderstood.:)

Sam____2

savvysaver07 wrote: »

Background info, I(male, British citizen, partner is expecting) applied for the sure start maternity grant, I'm getting income based job seekers allowance, my partner is not on my claim for JSA because she has no recourse to public funds(not British citizen). Jobcentre have refused me the sure start grant because my partner is not on my JSA claim and have been told by them that once the baby is born, to apply for tax credits and then apply again for the grant.

Now I was under the impression that as a partner, I can apply for it and providing I get one of the benefits and partner is less than 29 weeks remaining that I could get it...

So question is, where do I go from here? Do I appeal? or wait till baby is born and then re-apply?

Thank you

just noticed that part, you can't claim until she's at least 29 weeks gone not to go, so you've applied to early

savvysaver07

Sam___ wrote: »

just noticed that part, you can't claim until she's at least 29 weeks gone not to go, so you've applied to early

Sorry, I wrote that wrong, she is 29 weeks gone. In her 30th week now..

pmlindyloo

pcombo wrote: »

Why did you have a child if you obviously cant support the child. I doubt JSA will support 3 of you's.

Will you please give it a rest and go somewhere else to have a rant? How is this supporting the OP?

OP - please ignore this poster - we get this sort every now and then.

I cannot understand why you have been told that you cannot apply for the Sure Start Grant now - you appear to meet the criteria.

I have looked at the form online and it does not appear to ask anything about nationality. It does, however, ask about both your NI numbers. I am wondering if this makes any difference? Perhaps someone else can help with this. But having said that why did they say you could apply after the birth? Very strange.

I have also read that some authorities are not giving out the grant until after the baby's birth ??????? (perhaps a decision made by individual authorities?)

Anyway, I would telephone Job Centre Plus and ask the reason for your not being given it before the birth. At least you would know then

welshmoneylover

savvysaver07 wrote: »

I'm not exploiting any loophole. My partner is here on a 2 year spouse visa, then I apply for indefinate leave to remain, meanwhile she is studying English and the life in the UK test. Thanks for your explanation earlier on in your message.

Can she claim the sure start grant from her own country?

paulwellerfan

op just out of intrest what country is your partner from.?

(as i have some experience in immigration issues)

AnxiousMum

PCombo.....you are all a bit high and mighty aren't you? lol

This is a British citizen male, who is having HIS child in HIS own country. Modern days now you know - people have the opportunity to meet others from other parts of the world....do you propose that they all live suspended in between the two countries? Surely you would choose the better option for your family?

OP - I came here when my son was only about 2-1/2 months old - he was born in Canada. I was able to receive, immediately, free dental and prescriptions for myself until my son was 12 months old, and had we applied for child benefit about two days earlier, would have received the maternity grants that were available up until he turned 3 months old.

I think that as your wife is on a spousal visa, then at the moment, she does not qualify for the sure start grant, as that is public funds. However, once the baby is born, you as the father, would be entitled to claim any benefits that are child related - ie, child benefit, child tax credits etc., and very likely, the sure start grant. Just make sure you get the application in for child benefit right away, and get the birth registered right away, as this will kick it all off.

Ignore the trolls on here OP, they're few and far between, but extremely vile none the less.

Best of luck in everything! (Oh, for the 'Life in Britain' test......for a laugh, see how many of your British friends can complete and pass it - not many!)