17 yr old pregnant girl

mrshappy

She will be entitled to Healthy Start vouchers and vitamins as she is under 18, ask her midwife at her next ante natal appointment for the form. Income support is not normally awarded to under 18's, however, she will be able to claim it from when she is 29 weeks pregnant (I think it's 29 weeks) or when she turns 18, whichever is first. If she makes an appointment at her local jobcentre and specifically asks for an Under 18's advisor, they should be able to give more information. The sure start maternity grant (£500) can be applied for up to 3 months after the baby is born, but she has to be claiming benefits to get this. The Health in Pregnancy grant of £190 no longer exists.
Hope that helps, all the best x

ETA-I forgot about Child Benefit! sorry. She will probably also be entitled to tax credits once the baby is here.

Jessie11

She should be eligable for Income Support - is she willing to work? Even if she or your son get a part time job and it's not enough to fully support them, it'll help, even if it's just put in savings for when the baby arrives.

pink_princess

Surely her parents need to pay for her keep?

I_love_Harrison

Jessie11 wrote: »

She should be eligable for Income Support - is she willing to work? Even if she or your son get a part time job and it's not enough to fully support them, it'll help, even if it's just put in savings for when the baby arrives.

She had just got a job as a chamber maid before she found out she was pregnant although it was only a 0 contract one but we live 25 miles away so she had to give it up.

We only live in a small Town with a handful of shops mainly charity although we do have a Tesco & McDonalds they are not taking anyone on atm.

My son is doing 4 A Level subjects & with the amount of homework he has wouldn't really be able to work part time & study without it effecting his grades.

Hopefully she will be able to get a part time job soon as it will be difficult once she starts showing.

I_love_Harrison

pink_princess wrote: »

Surely her parents need to pay for her keep?

Her mum kicked her out & was separated from her dad, he lives in Liverpool I believe but she hasn't really seen him in years.

Her mum hasn't even met me so has no idea who her daughter is living with nor seems to care so I doubt she will give her any money.

I'm trying my best but have 4 kids of my own including an 11 week old baby so things are already tough.

If they have a boy they can have all my baby clothes etc but i'll still be using my pram/cot etc.

If she isn't entitled to anything until 29 weeks i'll have to buy her some cheap leggings & t shirts as she is a skinny little thing usually & her clothes are already getting tight.

vroombroom

ILH, I think your son really needs to look for a job - I'm at uni full time, have a 5 month old and will be returning to work part time next month so if I can do it, so can your son. They need to deal with consequences of their actions I'm afraid so your son needs to man up and get a job. There will be jobs out there if he looks hard enough, or tell him to contact his local Connexions office.

Try Primark for cheap leggins and tshirts for the young girl, thats where I lived during my pregnancy! If she gets the £500 healthy start voucher, take her to an NCT sale as I guarantee she will get everything there for the baby (cot, pram etc). Again Primark are very cheap for baby clothes.

nannymiaow

I_love_Harrison wrote: »

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.

.

Don't you already live in a 5 bedroomed house?

I_love_Harrison

nannymiaow wrote: »

Don't you already live in a 5 bedroomed house?

Yes but i've seen a house come up for rent that kind of has it's own flat or at least a yale lock on the door with it's own bathroom & small room which could be used for the baby so they would have privacy.

Amara

Dear I Love Harrison.
I didn't want to read and run. I know nothing about benefits and I can't to give you any advise, but I'd like to say you're a great mum and MIL and I hope everything will be allright for all of you.

[Deleted User]

I_love_Harrison wrote: »

I only started this thread to ask for help for a poor 17 year old girl who has been abandoned by her own mother.

The same mother who has 8 other children of which all of except the 2 younger ones had babies when they were teenagers.

Her own mother doesn't even know where her 17 year old daughter lives nor does she appear to care as she is shacked up with the Tunisian waiter she met on holiday a few years ago.

I am trying to support this poor girl who has had to move 25 miles away from all her friends & family to live with virtual strangers.

Yet all you want to do is put me down.

I would be devastated if it were my Son in this mess, as you mentioned yourself, but there are worse things in life than having a baby. You sound a wonderful person with good old fashioned family values. If you are willing to provide a roof over their heads in the short term then money won't be a huge issue, as rent and bills take up the majority of most peoples income. Primark, Charity shops, ask around, you will be amazed at peoples genorosity.

I'm wondering if you can investigate weather you can claim Child Benefit and Tax Credit for her whilst she is in your care? I'm not sure, just an idea? Maybe your Son could try for a Saturday job? Even
20.00 per week would soon mount up? Good Luck :j