What benefits can I apply for?

VikkiiKawaii

First, I would rather I wasn't judged for this post as I have no intention of living off the state permenantly this is a temporary measure.

My situation is this, I'm seventeen years old and seven months pregnant. I need to know what kind of benefits I could be offered (e.g. housing benefit) to help me to support and house my unborn child. I'm still in non compulsory full time education which will be ending in 2013 and am living at home but the situation means that by next December I need to be thinking about moving out as home is fairly crowded. My now eighteen year old boyfriend (also in non compulsory education) would be living with me, and although looking for a job has not found one as yet.

Any idea what I could expect?

Oldernotwiser

In over a year's time, hopefully your boyfriend will be working and you may be as well. You should then be able to claim Tax Credits and Child Benefit.

tescobabe69

£20 a week child benefit.

VikkiiKawaii

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

In over a year's time, hopefully your boyfriend will be working and you may be as well. You should then be able to claim Tax Credits and Child Benefit.

Am hoping to be! Really hate the idea of relying on benefits. I am still looking for a job but obviously at the moment nobody wants to know which I find really frustrating. I'm pregnant not ill and perfectly capable of working. If I had a job, honestly I probably wouldn't take maternity unless I really didn't feel up to working AT ALL.

Oldernotwiser

VikkiiKawaii wrote: »

Am hoping to be! Really hate the idea of relying on benefits. I am still looking for a job but obviously at the moment nobody wants to know which I find really frustrating. I'm pregnant not ill and perfectly capable of working. If I had a job, honestly I probably wouldn't take maternity unless I really didn't feel up to working AT ALL.

You're looking at your situation more than a year ahead; a lot can happen in that time.

In case you haven't come across this, you can get help with childcare while you're studying.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/Caretolearn/DG_066556

Dognobs

Welcome to the gravy train! All you need to do is be single!

VikkiiKawaii

Dognobs wrote: »

Welcome to the gravy train! All you need to do is be single!

I have no intention of being on the gravy train or single. I want my little girl to have a father and I love my boyfriend.

On a side note though - who else thinks it's stupid that the government pays so much more to single mothers, effectively making it better for children to not have a father financially, despite the negative side effects this can have on children?

VikkiiKawaii

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You're looking at your situation more than a year ahead; a lot can happen in that time.

In case you haven't come across this, you can get help with childcare while you're studying.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/14To19/MoneyToLearn/Caretolearn/DG_066556

It'll be about a year, possibly less depending as living at home isn't really viable although I want to stay as long as I can. I had heard about help with childcare although I'm hoping that I won't need more than five hours childcare, as I'd like my little girl to be with her parents rather than a childminder or nursery.

Thank you for your help and lack of judgement Oldernotwiser
It's always appreciated

dseventy

VikkiiKawaii wrote: »

who else thinks it's stupid that the government pays so much more to single mothers, effectively making it better for children to not have a father financially, despite the negative side effects this can have on children?

Comment removed and replaces with

"Happy Xmas" -- - good luck to you and yours.

D70

Anouchka

VikkiKiawaii unforrtunately the Benefits system does, on occasion, lack logic. However I would suggest that you disregard any unpleasant/judgemental responses and focus on those that at least try to answer your question.

VikkiiKawaii

dseventy wrote: »

Comment removed and replaces with

"Happy Xmas" -- - good luck to you and yours.

D70

Interested in what your comment was now, lol but happy Christmas to you too