Maternity Grant

india

I recently found out that I'm not entilted to the sure start maternity grant because I'm not on the higher rate WFTC.

I've started a petition to the prime minister stating I think the grant should be avaliable too all mother regardless of earning because have a baby is expensive.

I've read a few post on this website and think there are a few people that will agree with me.

If you agree can you please click on the link and sign the petition.

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/MaternityGrant

Thank you

zoezoe_3

I think this is a silly idea. The whole point of benefits is to help those who need it the most.

If we all got the money then who do you think will fund it ?

Having a baby can be expensive but its is down to the individual to ensure they are able to manange on their income and any help they might be entitled to.

jamstaruk

zoezoe wrote:

I think this is a silly idea. The whole point of benefits is to help those who need it the most.

If we all got the money then who do you think will fund it ?

Having a baby can be expensive but its is down to the individual to ensure they are able to manange on their income and any help they might be entitled to.

i dont agree my partner and i both work ,earn 16,000 each before tax but after paying morgage, bills ,transport to work and food theres not alot in the pot for the rest of the month and will be practically nuthing left each month after our 1st child arrives in march we cant get the grant but were NOT high earners so we will have to borrow around 1000 pounds to buy everthing needed for the baby

india

Just because someone is working doesn't mean they have the money alot of things are not taking into account to give a true picture of someones finanicial status when calculating benefits.

My husband is currently not working but I don't get anymore Wftc and he's not entitled to income support and I don't earn that much at all. Everyday we are getting deeper into debts.

Sometimes people that are working need help just as much as those who are not. There are alot of benefits that are for people who don't work and it won't hurt to give a one off payment to working mothers especially if it benefits a child.

Crispy_Ambulance

The Sure Start Maternity Grant is a means-tested benefit. If you are not entitled to it on the grounds of having an income that is too high, then there is little point in complaining about it. your household income is high enough that you do not qualify.

Having a baby is expensive for everyone and if you are not happy with current benefits legislation, I suggest you lobby your MP, which is more likely to have an effect.

flea72

you may not be entitled to it now, due to your dual income, but once you start mat leave, as your income will drop considerably, you should apply then, and i would say, on a single income of £16k, you should then be entitled

demonicangel

Quite a lot of people are entitled to it after the birth of a baby.

Also babies dont cost £1000s of pounds, they dont need everything and the also dont need the most expensive things.

Second hand is just as good, babies dont know the difference

black-saturn

If your outgoings are that much a month you maybe need to put your SOA on the debt free board. I get half that much and have 2 children to look after.

angelfire

Maybe you should have considered the costs of having a baby before you decided to get pregnant?

angelfire

demonicangel wrote:

Quite a lot of people are entitled to it after the birth of a baby.

Also babies dont cost £1000s of pounds, they dont need everything and the also dont need the most expensive things.

Second hand is just as good, babies dont know the difference

demonicangel is right here - my almost two year old is only bothered about eating, playing (with pots, pans and spoons if necessary), sleeping and attention!...

Becles

jamstaruk wrote:

i dont agree my partner and i both work ,earn 16,000 each before tax but after paying morgage, bills ,transport to work and food theres not alot in the pot for the rest of the month and will be practically nuthing left each month after our 1st child arrives in march we cant get the grant but were NOT high earners so we will have to borrow around 1000 pounds to buy everthing needed for the baby

Maybe you need to look at your budget, concentrating on your incomes and expenditure. Have a look on the debt free, utilities and old style boards for ideas on how you can cut your spending.

My hubby and me earn less than your joint income, and already have two children. Our new baby expenditure will be more than yours as we're moving eldest son into the bigger spare bedroom and making it into a bedsit for them to play in, then decorating his smaller room as a nursary, plus buying the usual baby bits. However, we will manage to pay for it through savings rather than borrowing.