Jobless,pregnant at 24

joanne2526

I am 24 years old and i just found out im pregnant for the first time. I have no income and am on jobseekers allowance. What do i do now?

GavB79

Dunno, what were your intentions when you planned the pregnancy?

fivefingers

GavB79 wrote: »

Dunno, what were your intentions when you planned the pregnancy?

Beyond the cover sheets of the Daily Mail, out here in the real world, it is not always possible for 100% of 6 billion people to plan every pregnancy.

What makes you think the pregnancy was planned? - You are making assumptions about someone you don't know, not too bright but at least your out from under your bridge and mixing with people. Theres a good sausage :T
Oh and FYI, 'Dunno' is not a helpful reply to a post.

@op keep trying to find work on JSA but also look into making money on line. Do you have any interests you could write about? I make a few hundred quid from google ads every month from a blog I write. You can also try sites like microworkers who pay to do small tasks, there are loads of freelance sites too if you have any computer based skills. There are also a few places people make money doing surveys online (checkthis section of the forum).

Might be worth you researching the subject, but be cautious, anything to do with making money online always attracts the scammers.

fivefingers

double post

f1re_cr4cker

get a small part time job id suggest look on direct gov or your local council website. small part hours may be workable once you have the baby if you can get someone to look after them while you are away. when you have the baby you will get child benefit which is £134 a month and also child tax credits which are approx £108 a week if you have v little money.oh and of course the dad should be providing too

gibson123

First of all congratulations, becoming a Mum is the most rewarding thing in the world. You did not mention a partner and used the word I so I am assuming you are on your own. I was left on my own with a small baby as I lost my partner when I was pregnant, so I know what you are feeling, I also lost my accommodation as between the loss of my partner and my pregnancy I was off sick with stress for a week or two and was sacked when i returned to work ( my flat was with my job), so I know what you are going through.

First of all do not panic.
Second get ready to ask for help anywhere you can and swallow your pride.

Now get a plan:

Do an audit:

Do you have savings or valuables to sell to purchase the essential baby stuff.
2nd hand baby equipment and clothes are normally very good condition and like new as many new parents buy or are gifted way to much, you can get lots of things on gumtree, e-bay and second hand shops.
What support can you get, (I moved in with my Mum for a while)
Do you have an older relative prepared to help with childcare in return for your undying gratititude and love?
Grandparents - the baby could have 4 grandparents - are they willing to help?
Now go see a charity or Citizens Advice about maximising your benefits.
Is your accommodation secure and fit for a child, if not speak to the local Council about Council Housing.
The father - what is his intentions, is he willing to help, if not be prepared to go after him to contribute to the babies up-bringing.

once you have this in place, take some time to think where you want to be in one year, 5 years and 10 years and then plan out how you are going to get there.

Good luck, I hope it all works out well for you.

Also hop over to Netmums for lots of advice and guidance from people in your own situation.

Charityworker

f1re_cr4cker wrote: »

get a small part time job id suggest look on direct gov or your local council website. small part hours may be workable once you have the baby if you can get someone to look after them while you are away. when you have the baby you will get child benefit which is £134 a month and also child tax credits which are approx £108 a week if you have v little money.oh and of course the dad should be providing too

I thought those amounts were for 2 children?

alicelight

Hi Joanne,

Just thought I'd add some more about the benefits you could be entitled to, if you don't already have this info. It's all quite complicated. Would advise finding out as much as you can about all this, e.g. Citizen's Advice:

£500 one-off Sure Start Maternity Grant, can be claimed from 29 weeks of pregnancy if you're on benefits. You can get a claim pack from the Jobcentre.

If you get a job or register as self-employed and work for at least 26 weeks out of the 66 weeks before the week your baby is due, you could get up to £558 per month maternity allowance for 9 months. You can get it from 29 weeks. It doesn't affect tax credits but does affect other benefits like JSA, housing benefit and council tax benefit. You claim it through the Jobcentre.

Child tax credits - you can claim this after your baby has been born by ringing 0345 300 3900 after your baby has been born: £256 max per month child tax credits if you don't have an income over £6,420 as a single person or as a couple living together. If you live with a partner who earns more than this, you'll still get something on a sliding scale.

£385 per month working tax credits after your baby is born if you are self-employed or employed and work for at least 16 hours a week. You can get this figure if you earn under £6,420 a year as a single person over 16 with a child, or as a couple.

£81.20 per month child benefit after your baby is born.

You may also be entitled to housing benefit, council tax benefit etc...

thelovelygirl

Try contacting agencies that can help get you into work such as The Prince's Trust also some colleges are running 2 week course that give you employability skills, help with CVs and in some cases even interview clothing.

My one piece of advice is not to be choosey about what you are willing to do for money - be it care work or catering

Sammy246

I second that get yourself over to the Netmums website, they are fab and can answer all your questions, worries and concerns on being a Mum....All the best!!!

skintmum2012

Hi I was going to Second that but looks like I am going to third it lol Net mums is a Brill place they also have a board where people in your local area will sell things cheaply you could also try Free cycle as after kids grow out of things people normally just want to get rid of it and clear space, Also Car boots are really good places for everything baby. Have you got a Sure Start in you area? If you do it's worth going along and having a chat with someone about everything they will be able to advise and you will get to meet other mums My best friends where made there when my 3 year old was a baby. As has already been said take all the help you can get when I found out I was Pregnant I was 23 hubby (then boyfriend of about 3 months) was 22 and we where living with my mum and dad I worked at mac D's he was not working. 3 years on we have our own place which we own 25% off he has a job we have a car and we have another little one. It was blo**y hard work but we made it come good and I know you will as well because just by coming here and asking for help it shows how much you care. I am sending you a huge hug.