17 yr old pregnant girl

I_love_Harrison

Hi, I was just wondering whether anyone could help me.

My son's 17 yr old girlfriend has recently left college as her course finished then 6 weeks ago she discovered she was pregnant.

Unfortunately her mum kicked her out so she is now living with us, she had a scan this week & is 13 weeks pregnant.

She has lived with us for 6 weeks now & although i'm willing to give her a roof over her head & feed her I can't afford to buy her clothes etc.

My son is 16 & has just started his A levels at college so obviously i'm still get child related benefits for him and provide for him financially.

Would she be entitled to claim anything herself as her mum obviously doesn't claim child benefit for her anymore.

If she can claim income support does she have to wait until the baby is born (April 2012) would she be classed as a couple (as she is living with her boyfriends family).

If she doesn't claim income support will she still be entitled to the health in pregnancy & maternity grants?

It's all abit of a mess really & originally my son was going to give up college & get a job but i've managed to convince him that he will be able to provide better for his future family if he finishes his education.

He has also just been awarded a £300 annual bursary from college if that's relevant.

I don't really want them to have to move out as they will need as much support as possible given they are so young & i'm contemplating moving to a bigger house so they can have their own space.

I'd really appreciate any helpful advice but please don't comment if you have nothing nice to say as i'm already disappointed enough for all of us & tried to convince them to have an abortion already but they were dead set against it.

Thanks.

skibadee

Good for you for helping out.....I copied this from a link....but I would also advice your sons GF to seek advice from CAB


Income Support

Income Support is a benefit for people on a low income to help them pay for their day-to-day living costs.
You can usually claim Income Support only if you are 18 or over. If you are 16 or 17 years old, you may get Income Support if you:-

• have a child or are pregnant
• are on certain kinds of training course.

Being entitled to Income Support will also depend on whether you are still at school or live with your parents. 16 or 17 year olds who have been in care cannot usually get Income Support, but there are exceptions. Lone parents who have been in care can get the benefit.
If you are 16 or 17 and want advice about claiming benefits, or you are 16 or 17 and have been in care, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example, at a Citizens Advice Bureau.

skibadee

You may find some advice on here too....

http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/advice-support-40/young-parents-support-500/

I_love_Harrison

skibadee wrote: »

You may find some advice on here too....

http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/advice-support-40/young-parents-support-500/

Thanks for the link. :A

skibadee

Your welcome.....I was pregnant at 17.....33 years ago.....luckily there is more help emotionally and financially now.

Maybe she could also look for a part-time job...not easy I know...especially when employers find out your pregnant.

Hammyman

Time for your son to get a job....

Oldernotwiser

Hammyman wrote: »

Time for your son to get a job....

And the girlfriend as well.

I_love_Harrison

Hammyman wrote: »

Time for your son to get a job....

As I stated in my op my son was willing to get a job but at 16 he is too young to work in a warehouse so unlikely to earn enough to keep themselves.

I_love_Harrison

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

And the girlfriend as well.

The plan was for her to get a job but she doesn't seem to do very well in interviews as she is very shy.

3v3

Am I the only one that is thinking that as the g/f is living with the father of her child (who is being housed/supported by his own family) that the only "help" she is going to get is child benefit? (I admit to being out of touch with the benefit system).

I love Harrison, it is brilliant that you are in a position to assist your son and his g/friend during these difficult times and I wish you all well.

3v3

I_love_Harrison wrote: »

As I stated in my op my son was willing to get a job but at 16 he is too young to work in a warehouse so unlikely to earn enough to keep themselves.

Yes, unlikely to "earn enough keep themselves" - quite agreed. Disagree on the warehouse front ... he could try McDs or any other company and isn't really restricted simply to warehouse work (just thought I'd say that before others do ).